Job Description

BASIC FUNCTION

The Chief Development Officer serves as a member of the President/CEO’s leadership providing strategic leadership to advance Instituto’s mission through a comprehensive fund development program for three Instituto led and managed not-for-profit corporations (one CBO and two Charter schools) with combined annual budgets of $20 million.   The CDO assists the President/CEO in developing board volunteers into successful fundraising champions.  The CDO fosters a culture of philanthropy within Instituto assuring the organization’s culture, systems and procedures support fund development and vice versa.  

Leadership:

• Be an outstanding manager.
• Develop strategies, goals and objectives in support of the mission and strategic plan.
• Provide leadership, supervision and management of the development office.      
• Plan, develop and implement the department’s annual budget.
• Execute successful fundraising efforts.
• Serve as enthusiastic, visible spokesperson during internal and external events.

Donor Identification:

• Emerging new prospective leads.
• Develop, implement, execute and evaluate a comprehensive development program that includes an annual benefit gala, direct mail solicitation, annual report, endowment bequests and gifts, capital campaign, donor cultivation and government and foundation grant prospecting, solicitation and submittal.

Donor Cultivation:

• Maintain a portfolio of donors and support the President/CEO portfolio.
• Develop, maintain and manage positive cultivating relationships with Board of Directors, alumni, donors, prospects, corporations, foundations and public funding agencies.
• Engage Board Members in individual fundraising for the organization providing leadership for their outreach.

Donor Solicitation:

• Accountable for raising $10 million annually from corporate and private foundations and government grants.
• Accountable for raising $2.5 million annually in major gifts, annual gifts, and events fundraising.

Donor Stewardship:

• Oversee donor recognition, gift policies and guidelines, reporting processes and procedures.
• Oversee development related communications such as fundraising letters and brochures, pledge cards, endowment brochures, case statements, and annual reports.
• Effectively communicate Instituto’s record of success and future organizational needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment.  Requires ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Majority of work performed in a general office environment.  Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties.  Also requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings. 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of progressively responsible experience leading and delivering compelling and sustained results in annual, major gift and capital campaigns.  Bachelor’s degree required; Masters and CFRE attainment are preferred.  

The specific professional and personal competencies required are:

THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP A PHILANTHROPIC CULTURE:  A deep understanding of fundraising techniques, communications, and donor/volunteer motivations is a must.  Experience should include face-to-face solicitations, proposal writing, board management and development, and special events.

WELL NETWORKED WITHIN CHICAGO:  Our successful candidate will have a depth of experience working within the Chicago land philanthropic community and be known and trusted.

STRATEGIC DISCIPLINE AND VISION:  The successful candidate must be strategic and able to create a plan of action for development that balances the long and short term needs and capabilities of Instituto with the likely base of available donors and funds.  S (he) must have the ability to think broadly about the strengths, opportunities and challenges in setting realistic goals and the action plans to achieve them.

STRONG RESULTS-ORIENTATION:  This executive must be metric-based and thrive in an environment focused on measuring performance against specific goals.

HIGH ENERGY LEADER:  The CDO will be known as a positive and energetic leader whom others turn to in getting things done, leading by example through personal effort and initiative.

 EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS:  The successful candidate will have well-developed oral and written communication skills and will also be a strategic listener.  This individual will be accomplished at making a compelling case that is credible, effective and relevant to donors.

HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE STYLE:  Candidate will have a track record of embracing a collaborative work style that encourages partnership.  Able to build and manage dynamic internal and external relationships with a broad constituency including executive leadership, the board, staff and the philanthropic community. 

The above is intended to describe the general conditions of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities and requirements.

Additional Information

Submit cover letter with resume, salary expectations, a completed application (located on our Careers page), and any other information listed above as “additional attachments” when you apply.

Instituto del Progreso Latino is an Equal Opportunity Employer.