Director of development

Bellarmine is seeking a dynamic, people person with a desire for meaningful work. This unique Development opportunity grows from our mission, fostering the spiritual development of people of faith rooted in Ignatian Spirituality. This role is a key leader, reporting to and advising the Executive Director and representing the mission of Bellarmine and its Jesuit Catholic values. This is a relationship building position that requires Initiating conversations and attending to the many details of donor relations and fundraising. The ideal candidate is Catholic, with a sense of Ignatian Spirituality, available to work in-person at the retreat house in Barrington four days/week, with some evening and weekend work.

We're looking for an energetic, charismatic individual with excellent people and database skills.

If you're a natural relationship-builder, that is detail and action-oriented, you will thrive in this high impact role at Bellarmine.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership (55%)

• Build and steward relationships with donors, retreatants, and friends of Bellarmine through frequent conversations and welcome for retreat.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate benefactor opportunities and relationships.
• Collaborate with staff to learn the ministry and gather compelling stories of mission impact.
• Utilize the database daily for communication tracking, relationship management, and reporting tools to identify donor trends, segment audiences, and measure fundraising effectiveness.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, building long-term relationships and conducting gift solicitations.
• Report on a regular basis progress towards weekly, monthly, and annual objectives
• Update our long-term, mission-centered development strategy including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and grants.
• Promote and grow planned giving and legacy giving programs.
• Design and implement stewardship strategies, including personalized donor communications and impact reporting.
• Actively participate in community engagement events to further share the story and impact of Bellarmine.
• Oversee the development related work of two shared team members that offer some administrative and accounting support.
• Cultivate relationships with Midwest Jesuit retreat house partners and Province staff.
• Support budget planning and performance reporting related to development.
• Serve as Secretary to the Board Development Committee.

Database Management & Analytics (25%)

• Maintain and enhance donor databases ensuring accuracy and segmentation.
• Analyze giving data and trends to inform strategy and track performance. Collaborate with Operations staff to optimize online giving platforms.
• Create mailing lists for appeals and printed communication and email
• Provide documentation for annual audit related to major gifts

Appeals and Grants (20%)

• Manage two annual fundraising appeals
• Oversee grants applications and administration
• Oversee development communications and stewardship campaigns (print, digital, in person).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE certification a plus.
• Collaborative, high energy leader with emotional intelligence, integrity, and a history of achieving goals, meeting deadlines, and making decisions in a highly matrixed environment.
• Fundraising experience, ideally in a faith-based or nonprofit setting.
• Excellent presentation, technology, and public speaking skills
• Experience using and leveraging database CRM systems and fundraising analytics to measure results and drive strategy.
• Catholic with a personal commitment to faith and enthusiasm for Ignatian Spirituality.
• Available to work some weekends and Friday evenings until 6:30 pm during the school year.

Salary Range $75-85K

Benefits include: excellent medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, 403b match, generous professional development funds, generous paid time-off, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, daily Mass and lunch provided.

Pre-hire supervisory references, background check, and Virtus training within 30 days of hire date is required.

Resumes with a cover letter will be accepted through Nov 30, 2025 with a target hire date in early January 2026. To apply email [email protected].