Director, Principal Gifts | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Organization Overview:

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (GMSI) is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. The Museum exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. Griffin MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The museum provides programs and experiences that deepen students' and teachers' engagement in science and related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, engineering, and math.

If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by and empower a team of dynamic, smart, and innovative people, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you.

Position Overview:

The Director, Principal Gifts serves as lead fundraiser within the Museum’s Development team, reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Development. This role is a critical element in strengthening and expanding Griffin MSI’s principal giving program, an essential driver of the Museum’s long-term philanthropic growth.  The Director, Principal Gifts oversees the vitality and growth of Griffin MSI’s portfolio of principal gift prospects and donors. This position will partner closely with the Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Development Officer, the President/CEO, Other leaders, and key Board members to shape and execute strategies for all principal gift solicitations.  Based on business need, may be aligned to additional duties as needed.

What You Will Be Responsible For:

Strategic Leadership in Principal Giving

• Oversee and assure the vitality and growth of Griffin MSI’s portfolio of principal gift donors and prospects ($5 million+ capacity), ensuring that relational assets are carefully stewarded and expanded using a team approach.
• Build and ultimately maintain a personal portfolio of approximately 40–50 high-level prospects and donors, actively cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal gifts.
• Secure major gifts from prospects within the portfolio, as part of cultivation toward larger, principal gifts.
• Over time, expand the portfolio and integrate a planned-giving strategy and its associated goals.

Principal Gift Strategy and Team Coaching

• Provide strategy and coaching for colleagues responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal gifts outside of SD-PG’s portfolio.
• Identify, analyze, and qualify prospects and donors to maximize giving and ensure portfolios align with best practices.
• Develop and implement engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, bringing in senior leaders as appropriate to deepen donor connection.
• Partner with the CDO, the President/CEO, and other leaders on all principal gift solicitation strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and philanthropic vision.

Strategic Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with key Board members, the President/CEO, and other Museum executives to advance principal giving efforts.
• Collaborate with the External Affairs team to ensure stewardship, fiscal responsibility, and data integrity across donor records, gift processing, and acknowledgment workflows within the portfolio.
• Engage internal department leaders and, as appropriate, members of the Board of Trustees to support major and principal gift fundraising.
• Contribute to cross-departmental alignment that strengthens systems, donor communications, and operational excellence.

What You Bring to the Role:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 or more years of experience in fundraising with a successful track record of proactively securing multiple 7- and 8-figure gifts.
• Working knowledge of and experience implementing best practices in principal and major gift fundraising.
• Deep understanding of the role of research, prospect strategy, and data-driven systems in major and principal gift work.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and comfort interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Demonstrated success in building and sustaining significant philanthropic relationships on behalf of mission-driven organizations.
• Highly collaborative mindset with experience leading teams to set goals, align on strategies, and achieve stretch fundraising outcomes.
• Strong internal partnership skills, with comfort collaborating across organizational functions to support high-impact fundraising.
• Discretion and sound judgment; commitment to confidentiality and maintaining trust in donor relationships.
• Excellent communication skills across oral, written, and interpersonal settings; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising systems.
• Ability to travel locally or domestically as assigned

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Structure:

The position is a salaried, full-time, hybrid position with a salary range of $160-170k annually, depending on professional experience. GMSI is located at 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL. Generous benefits package includes: 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 Company Holidays 
• 401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth), including a generous employer match
• Robust Voluntary benefit plans, including transportation, legal, and many others
• Free onsite garage parking

How to Apply:

The GMSI has retained NextGroup LLC to conduct this search. Applicants should apply via the NextGroup website at https://nextgroupus.com/talent/jobs/, including a cover letter and a resume as a PDF, by February 20, 2026.  

Inclusion and Belonging Statement:

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As Griffin MSI employees, we are each responsible for making the Museum a welcoming place externally for guests and internally for our colleagues within the scope of our roles.

 Griffin MSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

About NextGroup:

NextGroup is Chicagoland’s leading professional and executive search firm and nonprofit talent network, connecting two communities: mission-driven leaders and organizations needing their talent to drive impact and strengthen communities. 

NextGroup supports mission-driven teams in recruiting and hiring professionals and leaders for permanent and contract/interim roles across CEO/ED, finance, development/fundraising, program/operations, and administrative staff.  With a talent network of more than 10,000 professionals in Chicagoland and beyond, we serve as the bespoke search and talent partner for boards and executives of nonprofit, educational, cultural, and healthcare institutions.

NextGroup also provides career and coaching services to professionals looking to transition or advance in mission-driven roles.  For more information, go to www.nextgroupus.com/employers