Manager of Development
Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt
Location: Hybrid – remote/office
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000/year
Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision and 401k match
Our Mission
The Lincoln Park Conservancy is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to preserve and enhance the inspiring beauty of Chicago’s largest and most visited park for current and future generations. LPC operates under a formal agreement with the Chicago Park District to restore and maintain our donor-restored park sites and improve Lincoln Park. Our programs are offered at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens, and North Pond Nature Sanctuary.
Job Description
This person will oversee the annual fund, special campaign projects, and fundraising events. Additional responsibilities include grant research and writing, donor cultivation, and working with the Board’s Fundraising Committee. The ideal candidate will have the skills to motivate others and to build relationships, both internally and externally.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Manager of Development will partner with Lincoln Park Conservancy (LPC) staff and Board Members to refine the organization’s development strategy and offerings, including the Annual Fund, Twilight in the Park Gala, and project-specific campaigns.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Executive Director in developing annual marketing and fundraising plans; track and ensure plan goals are met throughout the year and are in line with the organization’s strategic plan
- Oversee organizational fundraising efforts to support projects and programs, including the annual fund, major gifts, individual giving, institutional funding, and events
- Manage a portfolio of LPC donors, providing development strategy updates and quarterly reporting to the Executive Director and Board of Directors
- Steward strong relationships with existing and new funding partners (individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners)
- Collaborate with LPC staff on all print and digital fundraising-related communications, including donor communications, LPC newsletter, and social media content
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and Development Coordinator to organize cultivation events for target audiences and donor stewardship events
- Use data-driven insights to tailor stewardship and engagement strategies that maximize donor contributions
- Oversee donor database and manage donor experience/stewardship processes
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required
- 3-5 years of demonstrated development experience preferred
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse audiences. Experience developing fundraising materials (pitch decks, grant applications, reports, promotional material, and proposals).
- Organized, responsive, self-motivated, and goal-oriented
- A team-player who supports others and goes above and beyond to ensure organizational goals are met
- A passion to preserve and enhance the inspiring beauty of Lincoln Park and LPC’s sites
Please send your resume and cover letter to LPC’s Executive Director, Lauren Robinson, lrobinson@lincolnparkconservancy.org if you are interested in the position.
