Senior Manager, Development

The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) supports public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. As an independent nonprofit organization, we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the City of Chicago, the local philanthropic community, principals, and aspiring principals to build and sustain a culture of strong leadership. For more than two decades, our supportive program and policy efforts and our willingness to innovate alongside educators have made a measurable, positive impact on the quality of leadership in schools and helped educators support student learning. In our current campaign, Chicago Leads, we will raise and invest $50M to deepen and strengthen leadership in Chicago’s 636 public schools.

Organizational Values

We are solutions-oriented. We approach our work with a proactive and productive mindset. Challenges are part of the work; we aim for continuous improvement.

We are collaborative. We understand that each team member relies on others to achieve goals. We ask for help when we need it and provide help when asked. The organization, as a whole, is more significant than any one of us alone.

We act with integrity. We say what we will do, and we do what we say. We are honest about what we know and what we are learning; this helps us achieve the best possible outcomes. 

We prioritize equity. Our work prioritizes leaders who serve and represent communities most directly impacted by structural racism and systematic exclusion. On our team, we actively recruit and hire for diversity in all areas of identity. Our commitments are lived out loud.

The Chicago Public Education Fund is celebrating 25 years of driving educational equity and leadership development. With a strong foundation, including a recently completed $40M fundraising round and a $2M endowment, we are now investing in the future to ensure we can meet the challenges of the next quarter century. To build on this momentum, we are seeking an experienced and hands-on Senior Manager of Development to help build upon our philanthropic success, lead innovative fundraising initiatives and strengthen donor relationships.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of public education in Chicago. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will focus on two key priorities: securing new philanthropic revenue streams to fuel our mission and deepening engagement with donors. You will play a pivotal role in expanding our donor base, implementing a scalable annual giving model to support $10M in contributed revenue, and leading special campaigns, including initiatives for our 25th anniversary.

If you thrive as a hands-on leader, excel in executing high-impact campaigns, and have a vision for building systems that drive long-term sustainability, this role is for you. We invite you to bring your talent, passion and expertise to our team. Join us in making a lasting impact on Chicago’s public schools and the communities they serve.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fundraising Leadership and Campaign Execution

• Partner with the COO to identify opportunities for innovative revenue strategies and multi-year fundraising initiatives.
• Lead the design, management, and execution of fundraising campaigns, including special campaigns tied to The Fund’s anniversary and building a annual giving program to $10M.
• Keeping critical stakeholders, including The Fund’s Board and Leadership Council members, informed and engaged by sharing updates and gathering feedback on fundraising efforts and progress, particularly leading up to and during quarterly meetings.
• Hire and supervise a Development Associate to support fundraising administration and operations. 

2. Donor Portfolio Management

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-value donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Leverage prospect research tools and data to develop a robust pipeline of new and prospective funders.
• Nurture long-term donor relationships through disciplined moves management and tailored engagement strategies.
• Oversee the creation of compelling donor proposals that communicate the measurable impact of contributions.
• Support the COO and CEO in preparing for donor meetings, including briefing materials and strategic insights.

3. Development Operations and Infrastructure

• Build and maintain a best-practice development infrastructure, including gift processing, reporting, and donor data management.
• Implement the utilization of donor management software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) to ensure accurate tracking of donor information and fundraising activity.
• Analyze fundraising data and campaign effectiveness to inform future strategies and improve results.

4. Donor Stewardship and Engagement

• Manage the planning and implementation of donor recognition, ensuring high-value engagement with key funders.
• Lead stewardship calendar planning and execution, collaborating with internal teams to align stewardship efforts with organizational milestones.
• Manage donor events and sponsorships in support of Principal Appreciation Week, ensuring meaningful experiences that strengthen donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Create personalized donor communications, including impact reports and updates, to deepen relationships and long-term support.

As a senior-level leader, your broader responsibilities will include:

• Offering ideas and supporting projects that help achieve The Fund’s main goals. Your input is crucial for our success.
• Mentoring and supervising the Development Associate, fostering professional growth and a culture of collaboration.
• Serving on the Management Team, a leadership body charged with advancing cultural leadership, executing organizational strategy, and ensuring satisfaction among team members and partners.
• Participating in the Managers Cohort to work with colleagues, share knowledge, improve your leadership skills, and work on projects that involve different parts of the organization.
• Attending events and meetings to represent The Fund, showing our dedication to enhancing Chicago's education. Your efforts are key to strengthening our relationships and reputation.
• Collaborating on projects that involve multiple teams, showing your commitment to our values and helping our team work well together.
• Investing in your professional growth by taking part in educational opportunities and keeping up with the latest in public education and school leadership.  

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS:

This role is ideal for a results-driven fundraising professional who has a proven track record on a successful Development team. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative leader who excels in building scalable systems to support organizational growth.

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive development experience in a multi faceted nonprofit organization; knowledge of Chicago’s philanthropic community helpful.
• Expertise in building and managing donor pipelines, using prospect research tools and data.
• Proficiency in donor management software Raiser’s Edge, with experience implementing data-driven fundraising strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to execute major fundraising campaigns and build scalable annual giving models.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience creating compelling donor proposals and impact reports.
• Experience implementing donor stewardship initiatives, including fundraising and recognition events and personalized donor engagement strategies.
• Ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including Board members, major donors, and sponsors.

COMPENSATION
The compensation for the Senior Manager at The Fund starts at $92,000 and there is room to grow to $121,000. The Fund offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, retirement contribution, generous paid time off for all team members, and paid short-term and family leave. Please note that The Fund team is an in-person organization that works in schools and out of our offices in downtown Chicago. We offer one work-from-home day weekly. The position requires some evening and weekend hours.

TO APPLY 

The position is available immediately, and we are actively seeking candidates. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please visit https://thefundchicago.org/who-we-are/careers/ and follow the links to navigate to the “Senior Manager, Development” job description. Once there, use the "Apply" button to submit your application: resume and cover letter. Finalists for any role with The Fund must undergo a background check to be considered for employment.

If you have questions about the job application, please email Careers@thefundchicago.org. Please note that we are unable to respond to phone inquiries regarding this position. 

 The Fund employs and values a diverse workforce. We are also an equal-opportunity employer committed to utilizing the skills and leadership of people of color, low-income people, LGBTQ+ people, differently-abled people, and others from diverse backgrounds. People from these and other historically marginalized backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply.