Director of Institutional Partnership

Job Description

Job Description

New Life Centers of Chicagoland connects young people and their families to Christ and Community through mentoring, education, sports and play, restorative justice, and community care. New Life Centers operates in five neighborhoods in Chicago in the Little Village, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Brighton Park, and Archer Heights communities of Chicago. Our holistic program model enables us to fulfill our Mission and Vision: Young people and their families connecting with Christ and Community through restorative justice, safe spaces and life-on-life relationships to create the Beloved Community together.

Position Summary

The Director of Institutional Partnerships position is full-time, 40 hours per week (exempt, benefits eligible) and will take place remotely with visits to the Chicago offices twice a year. The Director of Institutional Partnerships leads New Life Centers’ efforts to secure philanthropic revenue from foundations, corporations, and government agencies by developing and managing strategic institutional funding relationships that support the organization’s mission and growth. The role oversees the full institutional fundraising lifecycle—from prospecting and proposal development to reporting and stewardship—while providing leadership to a Grants Specialist and Grant Writer to ensure strong compliance and high-quality submissions. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Director collaborates closely with program, finance, and development teams to align institutional partnerships with organizational priorities and achieve annual fundraising goals. Will require out of state travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience. 

Core Responsibilities

Institutional Revenue Strategy

• Develop and lead an annual institutional fundraising strategy focused on foundations, corporations, and government funding.
• Build, maintain, and grow a strong pipeline of institutional funding prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of institutional funders and prospects.
• Meet or exceed annual institutional revenue goals through strategic prospect development, relationship management, and grant acquisition.

Partnership Development and Funder Relationship Management 

• Through partnerships, identify opportunities beyond traditional grants, such as sponsorships and strategic or collaborative initiatives.
• Participate in cultivation and stewardship of relationships with foundation program officers, corporate giving leaders, and government partners.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-level institutional funders.
• Prepare senior leadership for funder meetings, site visits, and stewardship activities.
• Participate in funder meetings, site visits, and partnership discussions.

Grant Proposal Development & Oversight

• Oversee the full grant lifecycle, including prospecting, proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewals.
• Write complex or strategic grant proposals and reports, delegate and guide staff on routine submissions.
• Review and edit proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports to ensure quality, clarity, and compliance.
• Ensure proposals clearly communicate organizational priorities, program impact, and funding opportunities.
• Manage and monitor the grants calendar to ensure timely submissions and reporting aligned with revenue goals.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor the Grants team.
• Set priorities and manage workflows to ensure timely proposal submission and reporting.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development.
• Conduct annual performance reviews.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with program staff to gather outcomes, impact data, and implementation plans.
• Collaborate with finance staff to develop grant budgets and ensure financial compliance.
• Coordinate with the Community and Faith Partnerships Coordinator on corporate sponsorships and agency fundraising events tied to institutional partnerships.
• Work with the Director of Individual & Major Gifts to transition institutional contacts with individual donor potential.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Development to align institutional funding with overall fundraising goals.

Data Management & Compliance

• Maintain accurate institutional funding records in Instrumental and Virtuous CRM.
• Ensure compliance with all grant contracts, reporting requirements, and obligations.
• Monitor grant deliverables and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Will engage with the development team tracking systems and reporting.

Organizational Engagement

• Stay informed about New Life Centers’ programs, strategic priorities, and community impact.
• Participate in program visits and organizational meetings to stay current on program needs and successes.
• Demonstrate New Life Centers’ values in all professional interactions.
• Ensure all legal communication requirements are satisfied.
• Produces documents, receipts, and correspondence regarding activities and progress as necessary to the Sr. Director of Development.
• Approves credit card reports and timecards.
• Supervision includes on-site visits, regular check-ins, and break-out planning meetings.
• Maintains accuracy of budget and spending plan for the department.
• Participates in required evaluations.
• Prepares materials as needed for required audits.
• Attends required meetings and trainings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Development.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Certified Mandated Reporter (training provided).
• Successful completion of required background checks (general, Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System, National Sex Offender Registry); no pending cases.
• Commitment to confidentiality and discretion with participant information.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, good driving record, and access to a vehicle (driving background check required).
• Working phone with active phone number.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred, not required.

Education & Experience

• 3-5 years’ experience in nonprofit development.
• 2+ years leading and managing staff.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong cross-cultural competency.
• Exceptional writing/editing skills, project management, and proficiency with CRM databases.
• Proactive, self-directed, and able to problem-solve, multitask, and take initiative.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, with strong time management skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
• Willingness to be trained and proficiently use databases and information-tracking systems relevant to duties.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter indicating your experience and interest in the position.
• Resume
• List of three references with contact information (minimum 2 professional references, email and phone number included)
• Please mention the name of any New Life Centers staff who referred the position if applicable.

New Life Centers provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. New Life Centers complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.