Regional Development Director - Chicago

Position: Regional Development Director Department: Development Office Location: Chicago, IL Work Type Designation: Hybrid. This role must report to the office at least 3 days per week. Reports to: National Director of Individual Philanthropy Union Status: This is not a union position. Annual Salary Range: $125,000 – 145,000. The salary for this role will be determined by a candidate's years of relevant experience related to the position as well as the geographic region. Travel: Estimated 30-40% across region FLSA Status: Full-time/Exempt Supervisory Responsibilities : Major Gifts Officer and Office Manager & Regional Program Coordinator Who We Are Lambda Legal is a nationaladvocacyorganization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rightsfor the LGBTQ+ communityand everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military; and protect LGBTQ+ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality.Our clients are not charged for legal representation oradvocacyand Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legalalsohas regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC. We believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communitiesrequirescultural competency and enthusiasm for diversity of all kinds. To be successful, we must approach our work with an understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status is not the only obstacle to achieving full formal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV; rather, we recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination, specifically including biases based on race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, education, and class.Considering this reality, we prioritize an proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effectsin the work we do, but alsoinhow we work together as an organization. Regional Director The Regional Director (RD)is the fundraisingteamleadof theMidwestregionbased inChicago, ourMidwest Regional Office(MRO).OverseeingaMajor GiftsOfficer and an Office Manager& RegionalProgram Coordinator, the RD will develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy to grow and manage a portfolio ofmajordonors across theMidwestregion.This role will be a visible representative of Lambda Legal both internally andexternally andwill partner with the National Director of Individual Philanthropy toidentifyplanned givingand major giftsprospects and achieve strategic revenue growth by leading a team-driven effort in coordination with their peer RDs and colleagues across the Development department.The RD willbe responsible forguiding and coachingan MGOin effective moves management while also managing a portfolio of high-level donors. This role will report to the National Director of Individual Philanthropy. Whatyou’lldo: (40%)Donor Portfolio Management& Strategy Manage and grow a targeted portfolio of current and prospective major gifts donors through best practice cultivation and stewardship to achieve strategic revenue growth across the regionwhile working closely with regional Board, NLC, local Leadership Committees and other regional volunteers to coordinate development efforts and involvement throughout the region. Develop and steward local Leadership Committeesas well as other volunteer or event leadership committees in emerging regional markets. In partnership with the National Director and Chief Development Officer (CDO), proactivelyidentifyprincipal giving prospects and strategies to engage and grow revenueacross themidwesternregion,leveragingdata analytics. Achieveand surpassannual revenueand engagementtargets for self and team. Assist the National Director and CDO on allfacetsofmovesmanagementensuringtimelyfollow-up, stewardship, and strategic engagement to expand portfolio of Major Gifts donors in the region. Create and implement Major Gift pipeline strategies using research and targeted donor communications. Partner withNationalDirector toidentifyplanned giving prospects across theregional major gifts team, within all assigned portfoliostoensure that the team is prioritizing and proactively assessing Planned Giving opportunities withintheir respectiveportfolios. Workwith the Development staff toidentifypotential regional foundation funders and corporate and law firm sponsors while cultivating,soliciting, and serving asliaisonto these supporters as needed. (25%)EventsFundraising and Management Play a key fundraising leadership role—through collaboration with project leads for prospecting, solicitations, and post-event follow-up—for Lambda Legal fundraising events, such as theBon Foster eventbased inChicagoand theIndiana Benefitin Indianapolis. Collaborate with the Director of National Events to design tactics and long-term engagement strategies for events to deepen donor commitment, increase giving, broaden the donor base, and manage the stewardship of Lambda Legal’s philanthropy. Provide eventlogisticsand staffing support including on-site presence at events, with availability for evening and weekend work as needed. (20%) Management of the Regional Team Supervise and mentor a Major Gifts Officer and an Office Manager & Regional Programs Coordinator, includinghiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and professional development. Lead and coordinate relevanttrainingsand professional development opportunities for the Major Gifts team in the region on moves management, relationship building, industry trends, and goal setting. Lead the team in the enhancement and expansion of the individual giving donor base across theMidwestregion. Develop and implement a strategy to increaseindividual givingrevenue atthe $10,000levelandabove. Supervise the content creation and deployment of targeted correspondence –includingregionalnewsletters,solicitations, proposals, appeals, and stewardship materials –to engagedonors and prospects. Oversee regional team budget. (15%)Additional Responsibilities Manageoperations for the regional office, including mail handling procedures, lease renewals,spacelogistics, and other facility needs in coordination with the Chief OperatingOfficer Perform administrative tasks including entering action notes from donor interactions, documenting relationships with new prospects, tracking board member gift activity, and processing expense reports, pledge submissions, and reconciliations. Support, and lead as needed, office culture-building activities andaffairs inthe MRO. Stay current with industry best practices for fundraising and donor relationship management. Work closely with the Communications andEvents teams to promote Lambda Legal throughout the region - includingserving as the Lambda Legal representativeat Pride andotherlocalcommunity events(i.e.peer organization galas)-and providesupport as needed. Additionalduties as assigned. Who you are Requirements: 7+ years ofdemonstratedsuccess in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and at least3-4yearsof people management experience. Experiencesolicitingand closingsixfiguregiftsfrom individual donors. Proven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time. Experienceplanning and/or staffingLGBTQ+ fundraising effortsand eventsintheMidwest region. Excellent written and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build authentic, long-term relationships. Experience engagingracially and gender diverse groups, volunteers, and boards, with knowledgeofand network withinLGBTQ+and/or social justicephilanthropic communities. High emotional intelligence and sound judgment in developing donor strategies and navigating complex internal and external relationships. Flexible, adaptive, andcollaborativework style;able to contribute toboth strategic and tacticalfundraising initiatives. Demonstrated comfort with administrative tasks and flexibility to shift between high-level strategy and day-to-day operational needs. Ability to inspire and motivatea diverse team of fundraising professionals. Self-directed and accountable, with the ability to thrive both independently and in highly collaborative team environments. Strong organizational, time management, and critical thinking skills, with sharp attention to detail. Highproficiencyin Microsoft Office applications and Raiser’s Edge (or a similar CRM database). Experience with data analyticsincluding but not limited topulling reportsandtranslatingfindingsintoclear, tailoredinsights based on audience needs. High energy and passion for Lambda Legal’s mission. Nice-to-haves: Comprehensive campaign experience. Experience working as a manager in a unionized workplace. Experience working with other historically marginalized communitiesin a professional or volunteer capacity. Prior work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and/or people living with HIV. Our Values& DEIB Philosophy Successful candidates will embrace and champion our Organizational Values and DEIB Philosophy Statement, bringing a commitment to fostering an inclusive,equitable, and supportive workplace. They will thrive in a diverse environment, actively contributing to a culture that respects and uplifts the full spectrum of communities Lambda Legal serves. Why Work at Lambda Legal? You get todomeaningful, life-changing workat a national level for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV.We understand that our staff’s dedication and effort are instrumental in achieving our mission.Lambda Legalalsoproudlyofferscompetitive benefits for ourteam.A highlight of the benefits we offer include: Medical benefits that begin on your start date Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective30 daysfrom your start date) Short & Long-Term Disability plans (effective30 daysfrom your start date) 403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after90 daysof employment) Paid Time Off: Paid Vacation (15 Days) Sick Leave (12 Days) Personal Leave (3 Days) Religious Observance Leave (3 Days) Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave Floating Holiday (1 Day) 12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits Health Reimbursement Account Premium subscription to the Calm App Annualprofessional development funds $50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non-exempt positions and8 weeksfor exempt positions) Read more about Lambda Legal's work on our blog and Instagram. Lambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply. Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ+, HIV-affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr