External Relations Manager

The External Relations Manager reports to the Senior Manager for Operations & Administration and is responsible for managing all aspects of PILI’s external relations, including fundraising and development, relationship management, and communications. This is a full-time exempt hybrid position based in the Chicago office.

Primary Responsibilities (90%):

Fund Development:

• Create, implement, monitor and report on an organizational development plan
• Manage grant funding including prospecting research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements as well as maintaining an up-to-date grants calendar
• Develop and coordinate dissemination of donor communications, including individual and organizational annual appeal mailings
• Manage and grow recurring individual giving program while also developing and implementing major gifts and planned giving programs
• Produce revenue reports and summarize campaign results, donor trends and key takeaways, and adapt fundraising strategies as necessary

Relationship Management:

• Oversee communications with all donors and constituents
• Conduct orientation for new members of PILI’s leadership entities
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with funders, donors and other constituents
• Serve as the subject matter expert for Salesforce ensuring all constituents are entered and maintained
• Assist in developing and executing donor recognition initiatives

Communications:

• Create, implement, monitor and report on an organizational communications plan
• Execute content design, production and distribution for PILI’s website, social media, and print and electronic communications
• Ensure a consistent voice and visual brand throughout all materials
• Develop and nurture relationships with local and statewide media
• Monitor and evaluate success of different modes of communication, using tools such as Google Analytics, SEO and others, and implement changes as needed

Other Responsibilities (10%):

• Working closely with the Senior Manager for Operations and Administration, assist in the planning, execution, and oversight of fundraising events aimed at generating revenue and enhancing donor relationships
• Represent PILI at community meetings and events as needed
• Seek out educational opportunities to further knowledge in job functions
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications: The successful candidate must be detail-oriented, punctual, organized and self-motivated, with the ability to adapt quickly and easily to changing organizational needs in the context of a professional office environment, in addition to possessing the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and minimum of 3-5 years of relevant non-profit experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram) and willingness to learn new applications
• Experience with Salesforce, WordPress, Canva or other desktop publishing is desirable, but not required
• Technical expertise with graphic design
• Availability to attend programs and events during the evening or on weekends on a limited basis and with advance notice, typically not more than 1-2 times per month
• Understanding of PILI’s work, mission as well as a commitment to racial justice

About PILI: PILI engages, inspires and empowers those advancing equal access to justice. We envision making equal access to justice a reality through a legal community with a deeply rooted culture of service, where pro bono and public interest law engagement is optimized to best serve people, families and communities in need. The PILI team consists of nine team members (including this position) with most team members based in Chicago, with one in Champaign and one in Edwardsville. PILI prioritizes the health, safety and wellbeing of the team; therefore, we offer a hybrid solution of working in the office and virtually from home.

Salary: This is a full-time position with a salary commensurate with experience beginning at $65,000, including a generous benefits package with employer-paid health, dental and eye insurance for the employee plus an employer-contributed retirement plan.

To Apply: Please go to our website at https://pili.org/news/hiring-external-relations-manager/ and follow the instructions posted on the listing. We will need a cover letter, resume, writing sample of at least 2-3 pages, and three references. Please do not send application materials by mail, and no phone or email inquiries. Applicants will be contacted in the event that we wish to further discuss your qualifications.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: At PILI we believe that diversity and inclusion are fundamentally important objectives that make organizations more effective. In our hiring and our work, we support diversity in all of its forms, encompassing but not limited to age, disability status, economic circumstance, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation. We know that very few people truly meet every single qualification for open positions. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization. If you feel like you have valuable skills and experience to be successful in this position, we encourage you to apply and mention your strengths and plans for professional growth in this role.