Development Manager Job Description
Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a workforce development intermediary focused on jobseekers. CJC advocates for jobseekers by researching current issues, developing recommendations, and promoting systemic change. We build capacity in the workforce development field through curriculum offered in trainings, cohort learning, and leadership academies based on best practices. CJC also influences policies at the city, state, and federal levels to increase funding for the public workforce system, create equitable pathways, and eliminate employment barriers. Our Mission: Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re-imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment. Our Vision: To create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.
Position Scope: The Development Manager is a full-time position to be responsible for co-leading and implementing the Chicago Jobs Council’s fundraising strategies and activities. Responsibilities will include grant writing and research; fundraising event planning and implementation; planning and implementation of giving campaigns; and management of grants/donation tracking. This position is part of CJC’s Administrative team and reports to the Director of Administration & Operations.
Competitive Compensation: Full-time exempt position with a $64,000 annual starting salary
Location: Hybrid, 29 E Madison, Suite 1700C, Chicago, IL
Excellent Benefits: Health Insurance, 403b, Vacation/Sick/Personal Benefit Time, Hybrid
Key duties and responsibilities for the Development Manager
- Grant writing, management, and research: Write compelling LOIs, proposals, applications, and reports for public and private funders to generate funding for CJC’s programming, strategic initiatives, special events, and general operations. Coordinate with Finance staff to compile needed financial statements and reports. Accountable for the update and accuracy of the Grants Calendar, as well as the timely submission of all grant materials, requirements and acknowledgements. Actively research and identify new grant opportunities, both private and public.
- Corporate Giving: Develop and maintain relationships with corporations to secure grants and event sponsorships.
- Individual Giving: Work closely with CEO, Board Development Committee, and Marketing & Communications (MarComms) Manager to plan and implement Giving Tuesday, Year-End, and other giving campaigns; with MarComms Manager, develop donor collateral and communications (letters, acknowledgements, social media, website, etc); conduct donor outreach and stewardship; coordinate with MarComms Manager to keep contact and list management up to date related to donors.
- Membership: Work with the MarComms Manager to develop membership drives and campaigns; outreach to lapsed members and potential new member organizations; attend site visits at member locations; work with membership committee to review and update membership benefits, as needed.
- Events: Responsible for the fundraising strategies of CJC’s Annual Meeting Event and other fundraising events to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Board of Directors: Develop agenda for and lead quarterly Development Committee meetings; review the annual board commitment sheet, update the dashboard throughout the year, and maintain communication with board members about responsibilities.
- Donor/Funder Contact and List Management: Utilize CJC’s contact management system (NEON CRM) to update and track donors/donations and generate reports; update and maintain donor/funder contact information; coordinate with MarComms Manager on Donor/Funder list management.
- Analysis and Continuous Improvement: Co-lead the ongoing assessment of fundraising efforts and provide quantitative projections of fundraising potential from corporate and foundation sources for budget purposes and for ongoing analysis.
- Department planning: Develop annual work plans consistent with the annual budgets, for fundraising/development priorities and develop, manage, and update an internal MarComms calendar with key development dates.
- Coordination: Work collaboratively with staff from all teams (Policy, Capacity Building, Administration); particularly with MarComms Manager to ensure strong alignment with organizational communications strategy, overall brand positioning, and revenue generation.
Requirements for the Development Manager
Personal Qualities
- Commitment to CJC’s mission and vision, and our commitment to racial equity
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially an ability to 1) build relationships with and work with diverse individuals with diverse work styles and 2) serve as an effective ambassador of CJC at meetings and events
- Commitment to continuous improvement (i.e. generate or support new ideas to improve CJC’s efficiency and/or effectiveness)
- Possesses self-starting work habits that demonstrate a clear understanding of CJC’s priorities and one’s own job responsibilities, while at the same time being open to receiving direction
- Participates well in teams, including listening to and respecting team members’ ideas, willingness to provide backup on other team members’ projects, display of adaptability when a change is made, and openness to incorporating team feedback on written communications
- Possesses self-confidence, including a belief in one’s ability to accomplish a task and select an effective approach to a task or problem, confidence in one’s own decisions or opinions, ability to reflect on lessons learned from failures and successes
- Willingness to do all tasks related to a project, no matter how seemingly “small”
Skills
- Excellent persuasive writing skills with an ability to distill technical and abstract information and make it easy to comprehend and understand. Additionally, strong editing and proofreading skills.
- Clear, concise, and persuasive overall communication skills (written, verbal, listening)
- Attention to detail and excellent follow through.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills that allow for the handling of multiple and competing priorities while meeting short and long term deadlines
- Demonstrated project management skills and strategies (e.g. break a project down into smaller steps and incremental goals, create a timeline, track progress, etc)
- Strong creative problem solving skills including ability to identify new strategies to achieve goal
- Ability to collaborate and seek support when needed
- Ability to think strategically, balance long term vision with daily tasks
- Ability to stay on top of emerging trends in the field
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google-Suite applications, CRM and online databases, web-based survey tools, and website management (or demonstrated ability to learn quickly)
Experience
- 3-5 years of grant writing for nonprofits or equivalent experience
- Successful project management experience and/or meeting & event planning
- Knowledge of the philanthropic process and the local/national philanthropic community
- Post-secondary credential–degrees or certifications related to communications, fundraising/development or nonprofit management
Application Information
To apply for the Development Manager position, please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample online at https://cjc.bamboohr.com/careers/63. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
CHICAGO JOBS COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. CJC is committed to building an inclusive staff and strongly encourages applications from individuals of color, people with disabilities, individuals with diverse backgrounds, and those whose life experience is underrepresented in employment programs and policies.
Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
CJC recognizes that systemic, institutional and individual racism creates disparities in the way people of color fare in the labor market. We are continuously working to review and update our practices, policies, and procedures using a racial equity lens in order to achieve more equitable outcomes for all.
Illinois is an at-will employment state.