Senior Director, Grants and Strategic Partnerships
Job Summary:
The Senior Director, Grants and Strategic Partnerships develops relationships with corporations, foundations, government agencies and other organizations to advance YMCA of Metro Chicagos cause for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. S/he oversees all aspects of organizational giving on behalf of the Y of Metro Chicagos 30+ member and program centers, including government grants, with an overall portfolio valued at $25 million. This includes identifying, building and maintaining relationships with funders, developing partnership and cause marketing programs, and day to day management of the associations organizational giving team. The position reports to the Chief Development Officer and supervises 2-3 FTE.
Scope of Responsibilities:
- Develop and direct a comprehensive fund raising plan aimed at driving substantive growth in association-wide corporate, foundation, government and organizational support.
- Work closely with the Chief Development Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Grou Vice Presidents, and Program Directors to identify funding priorities, evaluate funding opportunities, and set fund raising goals.
- Stay abreast of trends and interests in the fundiing community, and apply that knowledge to identify and assess new funding opportunities.
- Work creatively and collaboratively with senior leadership and program staff to develop sponsorship, cause-marketing, and grant funding concepts aligned with the Y of Metro Chicagos cause and strategic priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation donor relationships, including grant writing and solicitation.
- Work creatively and collaboratively with funders to develop partnerships that accomplish shared objectives.
- Manage and motivate a staff team to support association-wide grant seeking and philanthropic partnerships.
- Develop and oversee cultivation, stewardship, and communications programs to sustain and grow relationships with our organizational partners.
- Ensure that all written materials best reflect the organizations programmatic work, as well as its brand and strategic vision.
Requirements:
- Must be a proactive and creative problem-solver able to work both independently and with a broad range of internal and external partners to develop relationships, facilitate collaboration and achieve results.
- A Bachelors Degree and at least 10 years of experience (or equivalent) managing high-level donor relationships is required.
- A background and demonstrable record of successful development and stewardship of six- and seven- figure grants, corporate partnerships, and cause marketing programs strongly preferred.
- Must be an experienced and effective team leader, with demonstrated ability to motivate and manage staff.
- Must possess a strong foundation of knowledge of the local funding environment.
- Superior oral/written communication skills, with excellent interpersonal, presentation and negotiation skills are essential.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook), Raisers Edge (or similar donor/constituent management database) and on-line research tools required.
- Must demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills, with outstanding attention to service and detail.
- Must have a passion for the cause of the Y, for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. Employment is subject to a background check.