Regional Development Director - Chicago

Regional Development Director

Lambda Legal is a national advocacy organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community and 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 or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal also has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC. We believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities requires cultural 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 a proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effects in the work we do, but also in how we work together as an organization.

The Regional Director (RD) is the fundraising team lead of the Midwest region based in Chicago, our Midwest Regional Office (MRO). Overseeing a Major Gifts Officer and an Office Manager & Regional Program Coordinator, the RD will develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy to grow and manage a portfolio of major donors across the Midwest region. This role will be a visible representative of Lambda Legal both internally and externally and will partner with the National Director of Individual Philanthropy to identify planned giving and major gifts prospects 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 will be responsible for guiding and coaching an MGO in effective moves management while also managing a portfolio of high-level donors. This role will report to the National Director of Individual Philanthropy.

What you'll do:

(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 region while 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 Committees as well as other volunteer or event leadership committees in emerging regional markets.
• In partnership with the National Director and Chief Development Officer (CDO), proactively identify principal giving prospects and strategies to engage and grow revenue across the midwestern region, leveraging data analytics.
• Achieve and surpass annual revenue and engagement targets for self and team.
• Assist the National Director and CDO on all facets of moves management ensuring timely follow-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 with National Director to identify planned giving prospects across the regional major gifts team, within all assigned portfolios to ensure that the team is prioritizing and proactively assessing Planned Giving opportunities within their respective portfolios.
• Work with the Development staff to identify potential regional foundation funders and corporate and law firm sponsors while cultivating, soliciting, and serving as liaison to these supporters as needed.

(25%) Events Fundraising 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 the Bon Foster event based in Chicago and the Indiana Benefit in 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 event logistics and 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, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Lead and coordinate relevant trainings and 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 the Midwest region.
• Develop and implement a strategy to increase individual giving revenue at the $10,000 level and above.
• Supervise the content creation and deployment of targeted correspondence – including regional newsletters, solicitations, proposals, appeals, and stewardship materials – to engage donors and prospects.
• Oversee regional team budget.

(15%) Additional Responsibilities

• Manage operations for the regional office, including mail handling procedures, lease renewals, space logistics, and other facility needs in coordination with the Chief Operating Officer
• 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 and affairs in the MRO.
• Stay current with industry best practices for fundraising and donor relationship management.
• Work closely with the Communications and Events teams to promote Lambda Legal throughout the region - including serving as the Lambda Legal representative at Pride and other local community events (i.e. peer organization galas)- and provide support as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Who you are

Requirements:

• 7+ years of demonstrated success in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and at least 3-4 years of people management experience.
• Experience soliciting and closing six figure gifts from individual donors.
• Proven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.
• Experience planning and/or staffing LGBTQ+ fundraising efforts and events in the Midwest 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 engaging racially and gender diverse groups, volunteers, and boards, with knowledge of and network within LGBTQ+ and/or social justice philanthropic communities.
• High emotional intelligence and sound judgment in developing donor strategies and navigating complex internal and external relationships.
• Flexible, adaptive, and collaborative work style; able to contribute to both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
• Demonstrated comfort with administrative tasks and flexibility to shift between high-level strategy and day-to-day operational needs.
• Ability to inspire and motivate a 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.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Raiser's Edge (or a similar CRM database).
• Experience with data analytics including but not limited to pulling reports and translating findings into clear, tailored insights 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 communities in 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.

Candidates can review our Organizational Values and DEIB Philosophy Statement on our Careers Page.

Why Work at Lambda Legal?

You get to do meaningful, life-changing work at 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 Legal also proudly offers competitive benefits for our team. A highlight of the benefits we offer include: