Director of Development

Position Overview:  

GWTP seeks a Director of Development (DOD) to lead the organization’s fundraising and communications activities in partnership with the Executive Director. GWTP’s $6 million annual budget currently consists of 95% government contracts. We are looking for someone who can maintain our public funding portfolio while diversifying streams and strengthening our individual giving, private foundation, and corporate giving strategies. The DOD will serve as the direct supervisor for our Grants Coordinator and work closely with other staff on organizational branding and marketing projects.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Leads annual development planning, and works with executive team to set revenue goals
• Leads grants program (both public and private), including prospect research, writing, reporting, and relationship management, with the support of the Grants Coordinator
• Implements new fundraising programs and strategies, including individual giving campaigns and events, and corporate giving through sponsorships and cause marketing
• Implements department policies, protocols, and systems, including building up our Salesforce donor database
• Works closely with the Board of Directors and executive leadership team to build a culture of philanthropy
• Leads agency communications, branding, and public education activities including newsletters, website, social media, public announcements, and meeting planning
• Leads growth of the development department in partnership with executive team, including hiring of additional staff
• Assists in the development and distribution of advocacy and research materials
• Serves as a member of the agency’s executive team, and participates in program development, monitoring and evaluation, and continuous improvement strategies

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Demonstrated commitment to community service and equal opportunity in their professional or volunteer activities
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
• At least 5 years of development experience in a non-profit setting, and at least 3 years in a management role
• Demonstrated successful experience in public and private grant writing, individual giving, corporate giving, and project planning and implementation
• Superior written and verbal communications skills, and demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated success in marketing and communications
• Familiarity with the Chicago area’s workforce development system, services for at-risk youth, and community development services and agencies preferred
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office programs required; experience with visual design programs such as Canva and InDesign a plus
• Self-starter with ability to set priorities, trouble-shoot, and work both independently and as part of a team
• Bilingual Spanish a plus

Salary and Benefits: This is a full time, permanent, career position. The salary range for this position  annualized is $95,000-$110,000 with experience. The agency benefit package includes paid time off, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, retirement plan, and bonus program.

To Apply: Qualified candidates should submit a detailed cover letter and resume demonstrating how you meet or exceed each qualification/ requirement. Submit your materials via e-mail or mail to:  aharrington@gwtp.edu.   Please clearly indicate which position you are applying for in the subject line of the e-mail. If you prefer, you can mail your application materials to us at:

Human Resources

Greater West Town Community Development Project

500 N Sacramento Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60612

About Greater West Town: Greater West Town Community Development Project (GWTP) is a community-based economic development organization dedicated to expanding educational and employment opportunities in Chicago’s low-income communities. GWTP is a pro-active and effective advocate for unemployed community residents and at-risk and dropout youth in Chicago’s economically distressed neighborhoods. We provide practical, on-the-ground solutions to our communities’ complex challenges through hands-on vocational skills training, comprehensive job placement, and our West Town Academy Alternative High School that re-enrolls high-school dropouts. For over 25 years, GWTP has successfully linked expanded educational and employment service for community residents to community development initiatives and the needs of small-mid-size local employers