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 recruiting@jesuitretreat.org.
Night and Weekend Dining Room Servers
Looking for part-time work? Join the amazing team at the beautiful Bellarmine Retreat House in Barrington, IL. Our dining room server position is good for body, mind, and spirit! The work schedule is 2-3 days per week and starts at $16 an hour. If you are interested contact BellarmineJesuitChefMgr@taher.com or 847-381-1366 for more information.