Director of Philanthropic Strategy
Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who has a passion for fundraising in an outstanding academic environment and a well established, respected school.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Philanthropic Strategy will serve as a key partner in managing the day-to-day efforts of the departments work and will support all members of the Development & Alumni Relations team. In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, they will create a structure to support the department and develop the tools that will ensure achievement of the teams ambitious revenue goals. Balancing planning and team management responsibilities with focused, high-touch donor engagement efforts, this candidate will cultivate an environment to ensure the Development team is well-positioned to execute an upcoming capital campaign.
MAJOR OBJECTIVES
Within the first 12 to 18 months, this person will achieve the following major objectives:
- Identify and drive key performance indicators associated with annual giving, events, development operations and donor communications. This includes helping to onboard direct reports, and orient the team to new roles and responsibilities.
- Update and establish new standing annual giving procedures to support near-term and long-term goal attainment.
- Partner with the Chief Development Officer to build out a more robust relationship management program and to maximize revenue through direct outreach to donors and prospects.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Partner closely with the Chief Development Officer to create and oversee an annual fundraising plan, establishing both quantitative and qualitative goals and identifying major strategies to support attainment across the team; manage a system for consistent reporting and accountability for plan fulfillment and course correct strategy as needed.
- Develop and drive the activation of a multi-channel strategy for ongoing engagement of all donor constituencies across the school community, including alumni, parents, and families who give between $1 and $10,000. This includes outreach by mail, email, and digital channels as well as leveraging Annual Giving Ambassadors.
- In partnership with the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Events, create and oversee a year-long comprehensive strategy for special events, ensuring each event has a stated purpose and associated metrics to determine success.
- Directly manage a team of three development professionals overseeing all functional activities associated with annual giving, events, and donor communications. Serve as a mentor to support overall performance and guide ongoing professional development.
- Support the Director of Development Operations, assessing how frontline staff portfolios are assigned so that they are manageable, offer opportunity for growth in revenue, and serve as a pipeline for major gifts
- Manage a portfolio of 75-85 donors and prospects, focusing on upgrading qualified, high-capacity annual donors who currently give up to $10,000.
- Update (or create as needed) standard operating procedures, policies, and related resources to ensure that all major department activities are appropriately documented and to promote alignment across teams.
- Drive participation giving by supporting volunteers to make peer-to-peer asks.
- Participate in Development Committee and Annual Giving Ambassador meetings, oversee volunteer management of annual fundraising event, and provide staff support to committee members and volunteers to execute specific action items as needed.
The ideal candidate will bring most of the following qualifications and skill sets:
- Five to seven years of professional fundraising experience, preferably within a growth environment
- Prior experience managing a small staff and supporting their ongoing professional development.
- The ability to manage both a donor portfolio and the internal systems and processes that support the ongoing cultivation of gifts across a team.
Latin School of Chicago embraces diversity of people, cultures, and ideas and is an equal opportunity employer.