Director of Development

Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) is a 117-year-old, Chicago-based nonprofit organization that provides early childhood education and camping programs to children of all religions, races, and ethnicities across Chicagoland. Our mission informs everything we do:Guided by Jewish values and culture, Jewish Council for Youth Services provides educational and recreational programs for Chicagoland’s children and, through board service, develops the next generation of Jewish civic leaders .

With a budget of $12 million and a 200-person staff, JCYS programs serve over 700 families a year through four Family Centers. In addition, the JCYS Board of young Jewish professionals participates in the JCYS Leadership Circle. In this hands-on leadership development program, board members build the skills they need for a lifetime of civic and Jewish leadership.

THE ROLE

The Director of Development is responsible for overseeing and executing a comprehensive development program. This includes planning, organizing, and directing all fundraising activities—the annual fund, grant writing, planned giving, special events, and donor cultivation and stewardship. The Director of Development is a member of the Advancement team and reports to, and will collaborate closely with, the Chief Executive Officer. The position works from the Central Office in Lincoln Square Ravenswood and attends board meetings, community events, and donor meetings throughout Chicagoland.

The successful candidate has a passion for the JCYS mission, a growth mindset, revenue generation experience, relationship building skills, superior communication skills, and comfort in both team and autonomous settings. This is an excellent opportunity to innovate and diversify the fundraising strategy of an organization with stable earned revenue during a period of strategic refresh.

At JCYS, we have a positive work environment built on mutual respect and professionalism. We invite you to build and advance your career with JCYS and help contribute to the future success of our organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Create and implement a fund development plan that increases revenue to support the strategic direction of the organization. Direct all accompanying fundraising activities, including solicitation and stewardship collateral.
2. Develop and oversee the planning and execution of special events as specified in the fund development plan to generate funds for the organization. Examples include the Golf Outing, the Annual Gala, and stewardship events.
3. Identify and pursue opportunities for enhanced annual, capital, and planned giving campaigns. Conduct prospect research as needed.
4. Oversee stewardship of a diverse, deeply connected donor community of parents, board alumni, corporate sponsors, and foundations.
5. Manage grant proposals and reports for individual donors, philanthropic foundations, other funders, and the board.
6. Partner with and coach the board to develop individual strategies for fundraising and development activities. Support the CEO with related board engagement activities.
7. Support the Advancement team in operating effectively and creating a culture of impact across the organization.
8. Improve the efficacy of our donor database, as well as its integration in Advancement.
9. Other duties as assigned by the CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five years working in a role focused on revenue generation.
• Experience working with external stakeholders required. Demonstrated experience working with volunteer leaders a plus.
• Outstanding communications skills, relationship building, and analytical capacities.
• Comfort representing organization in public settings and one-on-one meetings.
• Familiarity with and exposure to the Chicago philanthropic community. Jewish communal experience preferred.
• Organized, adaptable, and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Demonstrated experience managing and navigating database management systems and/or fundraising software.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office required.

Salary commensurate with experience. JCYS offers a generous benefit package that includes PTO, health, dental, vision, life, LTD, and STD insurance and an employer matched 401K plan. Jewish Council for Youth Services is an (EEO) Equal Opportunity Employer.