Managing Director of Development, iMentor Chicago

iMentor Chicago is seeking an experienced and dynamic Managing Director of Development to play a pivotal role in advancing our organization's mission. Reporting to the Executive Director of Chicago while also working closely with the Chicago Advisory Board, the Managing Director will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to secure substantial philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with a focus on cultivating and stewarding major gift donors. The Director will focus on strengthening the donor pipeline across all levels of giving with thoughtful analysis and attention to donor values.

• Strategy Development: Create and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy that aligns with the organization's fundraising goals and mission.
• Donor Cultivation: Identify, cultivate, and build strong relationships with major gift prospects, including high-net-worth individuals, corporate partners, and foundation program officers.
• Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, overseeing all aspects of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to a total annual raise of $2.2 – 2.5 million. Manage corporate partnerships in close collaboration with the Director of Mentor Engagement and the national development team.
• Customized Solicitations: Develop customized solicitation strategies based on donor interests, motivations, and capacity, ensuring meaningful engagement and successful gift solicitation. Build out comprehensive multi-channel approach of email, web, and direct mail giving channels, including cadence of communications, campaign themes, creative content, messaging, and KPIs with the goal of significant revenue growth in annual fund programs.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including the executive leadership team, program managers, and other fundraising professionals, to align major gift strategies with overall organizational priorities. Collaborate with national team on multi-site grant opportunities, improve fundraising strategies, and identify new relationships in the philanthropic landscape and diversify funding sources. Collaborate with consultants on execution of regional MarComms plan.
• Donor Engagement: Plan and execute engagement events, donor recognition programs, and cultivation opportunities to deepen relationships and enhance donor loyalty. This may include, but is not limited to, an annual benefit, cultivation luncheons, school visits, and social gatherings.
• Proposal Development: Prepare compelling proposals, gift agreements, and presentations that clearly communicate the impact of donor gifts and the organization's funding needs.
• Reporting and Analysis: Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, gift commitments, and other relevant information in the donor management system. Provide regular updates on progress and outcomes to the Chicago leadership team.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage 1 full-time development manager by providing guidance, coaching, and performance evaluations, ensuring their work drives annual fundraising strategy. Serve as a member of the region’s Chicago Leadership Team (CLT) ensuring all verticals are moving toward their goals and region is maintaining a healthy, collaborative, and strengths-based work culture.
• Board Leadership: Support the Executive Director in Chicago Advisory Board leadership by assisting in the cultivation of new members and providing guidance to existing members on fundraising strategy. Manage a fundraising committee made up of Chicago Advisory Board Members and Chicago Associate Board Members.
• Research and Prospecting: Conduct thorough research to identify new major gift prospects, leveraging both internal and external resources.
• Budget Oversight: Contribute to the development and management of the fundraising budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to achieve fundraising goals.

• Dynamic, professional leader with a minimum 10 years of fundraising experience, including 5 years of managing and leading fundraising teams, fostering collaboration and achieving results.
• Proven track record of successfully securing 6 and 7 figure major gifts from individuals, corporations, and/or foundations.
• Reputation for creating a culture of philanthropy based on listening and understanding what is important to donors and volunteers.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, and moves management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Promotes a culture of inclusivity, high performance, and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies.
• Proficiency in using donor management software and other fundraising tools including Salesforce and iWave.
• Deep commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and aligned in thought and action with iMentor's mission and values.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree required

• Salary range $140,000 - $155,000 commensurate with experience

• Up to 100% employer funded comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• 18 days paid annual vacation (increasing annually to 21, 23, 25), 13 paid holidays + your birthday + one floating holiday, iMentor closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day, plus 6-7 sick days annually
• 401K match up to 4%
• Flexible Home/Office/School working arrangement – minimal of 2 days in office required
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Dependent care and health care flexible spending plans
• 1 hour of wellness time off per week for wellness activities of your choosing
• Flexible personnel wellness budget for reimbursements or marketplace purchases
• Every staff member is eligible for organization-sponsored professional development annually
• 9 weeks of paid parental leave

About iMentor

iMentor believes that all students deserve an equitable chance to pursue their ambitions. Our program builds authentic mentoring relationships in order to bring greater equity to our students’ educational journeys. Through these long-term relationships, first-generation, students of color from underserved communities increase their access to the knowledge, experiences, and resources required to succeed in college or their post-secondary pathway of choice, and to pursue their career ambitions.

By partnering with public schools serving primarily first-generation college students and providing every student in the school with a mentor, iMentor supports students’ post-secondary journeys with a level of depth and personalization that cannot be matched by traditional advising models. iMentor’s students are 37% more likely to enroll in college and are graduating college at double the rates of their peers.

iMentor’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We believe that people of all backgrounds deserve equal access to educational opportunities. Recognizing that our country’s history of racism and systemic oppression continues to drive educational disparities for students of color, we give special focus to addressing the economic and racial divides that impact the communities we serve. We are committed to the collective work and intentional investment necessary to consistently move in the direction of educational equity and inclusion. Learn more at www.iMentor.org.

How to Apply

Visit www.imentor.org/jobs to submit a resume and detailed cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

iMentor is an Equal Opportunity Employer