Director of Development

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 370,000 students in more than 600 schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments - high quality, rigorous instruction, talented and empowered educators, safety and support, financial stability and collective impact.

Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Director of Development (Director) will spearhead development efforts as the Children First Fund is relaunched as a proactive fundraising entity in support of Chicago Public Schools. In this new role, the Director will have the opportunity to build, oversee and execute the development priorities of the Children First Fund, including new and innovative strategies for public engagement and revenue sources for CPS.

Your Impact:

• Build a new entity and innovative initiatives to procure increased support of Chicago Public Schools, educators, students and families.
  
  
• Reimagine new ways for Chicago's vast resources in time, talent and treasure to be leveraged in the advancement of CPS
  
  
• Establish new strategies for leveraging philanthropy at all giving levels to increase Chicagoans' connection to the city's schools and youth to build public trust and investment in Chicago's future and CPS' continued success.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Children First Fund's annual fundraising strategy; set industry leading key performance indicators (KPIs) and regularly manage progress to goals
  
  
• Secure financial support from individuals, foundations, corporations and competitive grants, managing proposals across the district and ensuring proper reporting and stewardship
  
  
• Assist with the development of a business plan and subsequent fundraising targets to enable the financial and operational sustainability of the Children First Fund
  
  
• Support the management and utilization of the Children First Fund Board of Directors
  
  
• Manage the implementation of Intact and Salesforce, developing and revising standard operating procedures to advance the foundation's operations;
  
  
• Supervise staff responsible for data entry and gift processing
  
  
• Maintain prospect list and continual development of the funding pipeline
  
  
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors and prospects
  
  
• Create and execute a strategy for a sustained base of annual donors across small and major gifts
  
  
• Develop and execute the organization of special events and regular engagement opportunities for CPS leadership with the philanthropic community
  
  
• Build internal capacity of CPS staff to be identifying partnerships and funding opportunities to advance their work; build capacity of "Friends Of" organizations through trainings and resources to support their efforts and success
  
  
• Collaborate with External Partnerships team to activate meaningful engagement benefits for Children First Fund partners
  
  
• Collaborate across multiple departments in CPS as well as external city agencies and organizations in the development of proposals, reporting deadlines and proper stewardship of donor relationships and CPS leadership
  
  
• Serve as philanthropy expert internally, with advanced knowledge of industry trends locally and nationally
  
  
• Perform other related duties as requested and required for the success of the Children First Fund and CPS Office of External Affairs.
  
  

Qualifications

• BA/BS (required), MA/MS (a plus)
  
  
• Five-plus years experience in development; Non-profit and multi-donor type (e.g. foundation, family/individual, corporate, etc.) experience preferred
  
  
• Must embrace the mission of providing equitable access to high quality educational opportunities for every Chicago Public School student and be self-motivated in pursuit of this goal.
  
  
• Have a strong inclination for networking, community engagement and external representation of CPS and its leadership
  
  
• Demonstrated excellence in time-management, organizational, managerial, and communication skills
  
  
• Proficiency with Intact and Salesforce
  
  
• Proven track record in fundraising, sponsorship, sales, or corporate partnerships, preferably with in the region
  
  
• Ability to travel and work outside traditional business hours
  
  
• Enjoys working in a demanding, fast-paced and entrepreneurial work environment; is flexible and adaptable to change
  
  
• Positive and professional attitude and enthusiasm for contributing to a team and positive work culture