SUMMARY
The Assistant Director, Major Gifts is an individual giving fundraising professional who identifies new donors and ensures that major donors are contributing to and participating in the Council’s programmatic and studies offerings at the highest levels.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Serve as the primary liaison and account manager for a portfolio of 120-150 prospects and major donors, and oversee general membership, generating more than $1,000,000 in annual revenue
Identify and solicit new individual donors giving >$5,000 and steward current major gifts donors
Develop and implement active engagement strategies with prospects and major donors, and engage senior staff in managing relationships with prospects and donors in the portfolio
Write original donor communications and review drafts prepared by colleagues on the development team: meeting requests, solicitations, renewal letters, proposals, acknowledgements, and promotions
Write and distribute monthly email updates to major donors that share information about the Council’s upcoming programs and studies, sponsorship opportunities, and other ways to be involved in the Council’s work, tying the Council’s work to matters important to major donors
Leverage the Council’s large annual events, including the Global Leadership Awards Dinner (GLAD) and the Chicago Forum on Global Cities – to engage new potential supporters; develop other cultivation strategies including tying communications to what’s going on in the world and connecting Council programs for promotions
Oversee the email/mail renewal series and special appeals for members giving <$5,000; manage the expansion of the annual fund
Attend, engage, and support frequent Council activities with strong major donor presence, to include regular weekday evening and early morning hours
Supervise the Membership Services Coordinator
Perform other projects as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years fundraising experience, preferably with a nonprofit/membership organization, including track record of securing four and five figure contributions
A bachelor’s degree with a focus on business, international affairs, or related field of study
Ability to initiate and build relationships with major donors; ability to manage multiple relationships and projects concurrently
A minimum of 1-2 years of management experience
Excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills; strong presentation and public speaking abilities
Self-starter, creative, and driven to achieve and exceed financial goals
Ability to maintain confidentiality information, exercise discretion, and use sound judgement
Keen attention to detail and well-honed organizational skills; donor database experience preferred
Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team/willingness to help out as needed on projects in the development team
Ability and willingness to work frequent weekday evening and early morning events, and travel occasionally to suburbs beyond downtown Chicago
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. We convene leading global voices and conduct independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. Ranked the #1 Think Tank to Watch worldwide, the Council on Global Affairs is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business and governments engage the world.

TO APPLY
Please email a cover letter and résumé as Word documents to hr@thechicagocouncil.org. You can also apply via the Council’s website at www.thechicagocouncil.org in the Career Opportunities section. EOE