Director OF Development

Organization Overview Advance Illinois is anonprofitpolicy and advocacy organization that works toward a healthy public education system that prepares students to achieve success in college, career,and civic life. We are committed to an aligned education system across the B-20 continuum that strives for equity, stresses college and career readiness and completion, and supports the whole child from the earliest years through adulthood. We believe every child should have access to highquality education and care, regardless of geography, income, or race. Spanning the early childhood through higher education continuum, Advance Illinois analyzes research, data,and best practices; engages practitioners,familiesand partners; and develops and promotes policies designed to strengthen public education, higher education, and early childhood education and care in Illinois. We areseekinga passionate and committed individualwithdemonstratedfundraising andleadership skillswhoisable to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborativeworkplace tohelp shapeand implement a dynamic development strategy. Position Summary Advance Illinois seeks an experiencedDirector ofDevelopmenttogrow and diversify the funding base we rely on to support our $3.7M annual budget. The organization launched in 2008 and has beenhighly successfulin building a loyal base of foundation and individual donors.The ideal candidatewillbe committed to strengthening public education and be adept at communicating Advance Illinois’ mission,visionand strategies to a wide range of outside partners. In addition, they will be a strategic thinker, able to craft and execute campaigns, events,and outreach designed to introduce Advance Illinois to new partners. The Development Directorreports to the Presidentandmanages a Senior Grants Associate, along with interns and vendors. The Director works with other members of the Senior LeadershipTeam to inform and support broader organizational priorities, operations, and culture. We are looking for aproven leaderand self-starter whois able towork independently,is comfortable working in acollaborativeteam environment,andable topartner not only with staff members but with a diverse network of outside partners and stakeholders. Competencies& Attributes Passionate aboutadvancing educational equity,with a commitmentto collaborative change. A systems thinker, with the ability toidentifykeydevelopmentopportunities, challenges, andstrategies, witha track recordof success in growinggivingand diversifying funding streams. Demonstrated ability to manage and lead, including ability toidentifyprocess issues and solutions. Deep knowledge ofthe education development space,preferably with existing relationships amongkeyfundersat the state and national level. Excellentinterpersonalskills, including the ability tobuild and managemeaningfulrelationships with individual and institutional donors, including foundations and corporate partners. Ability todesign and overseeeventsas necessary. Unquestioned integrity combined with the ability to strategicallyassess opportunitiesin a shifting landscape. Excellent communication skills, including writing, speaking,andlistening. Proficiencyin MicrosoftOffice,Salesforce,and willingness to masteradditionalsoftware andsystemsas necessary. Essential Functions Work with the President and the Board to shape and implement the organization’s development strategy, including annual giving, major gifts,foundationgrants, andevents. Lead efforts to cultivate,solicit,and steward new and existing individual and institutional donors. In collaboration with the President and the Board, set and meet annual revenue and fundraising goals. Conduct andmaintainprospectresearch on foundations and potential institutional donors. Support cross-team efforts to track and articulate organizational impact for funders. Collaborate closely with communications staff to develop compelling narratives forcampaigns, briefings, and events. Engage productively with Board members to involve them appropriately in fundraising efforts. Work effectively with vendors, financial/accounting partners, and Advance Illinois staff tomaintainclear and smooth reporting and planning. Effectively manage internal Development team members. Oversee compelling andtimelygrant submissions and reporting. Be a publicambassadorof the organization,participatingactively inrelevant professional networks and organizations. Promotegrowthof others by sharing knowledge and experience. Serve as a member of theSenior Leadership Team, providing overall leadership to the organization, including presenting to theBoardand working with Board members,assistingwith annual planning, budgeting, and goal setting, and contributing to a collaborative team environment. Serve as aSalesforceadministrator for Development,supportingCRM-related functions including database integrity and user management, along withdesigningandmaintainingdashboards, reports, and workflows to support donor tracking and analytics. Perform other duties asrequired. Education and Experience Bachelor’sdegreerequired;Master’sdegree preferred Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar roleisstrongly preferred Supervisory experience preferred Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM preferred Working Environment Advance Illinois staff are expected to work from the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a third day at their discretion, and are welcome to work remotely two days a week.Thepositionis located in Chicago. Compensation Competitive salarycommensuratewith experienceand within organizational pay bands, along with excellent benefitssuch as:health/dental insurance; short-term/long-term disability plans;IRAwith anemployer match; flexible spending account; holidays and vacation accrual. To Apply Completethis surveyandsubmita resume View email address on click.appcast.io. All submissions will be acknowledged. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call Advance Illinois.  Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Advance Illinois is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color, low-income persons, LGBTQpersons,people with disabilities, and other people from diverse backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, political affiliation, mental or physical disability, age, marital status, family status, or veteran status. People from these and other historically marginalized backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply.