Chief Development Officer

Organization Overview

The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) is a non-profit that recruits, trains, and supports new teachers in underinvested communities to ensure every student has a great teacher and a transformative education. Through our nationally recognized teacher residency, we develop high-quality, passionate educators in hard-to-fill subject areas. Founded in Chicago, IL, AUSL became the first urban teacher residency in 2001 and the nation’s first in-district innovation zone in 2006. Looking ahead, AUSL is entering into a period of rapid expansion as we work to address the nation’s critical teacher shortage.

To learn more about AUSL, please visit our website at: www.auslchicago.org

Role Summary

AUSL is seeking an entrepreneurial leader to build and execute a fundraising strategy in order to achieve a $4M+ and growing fundraising target. The ideal candidate will enjoy working at both strategic and tactical levels, building a team, developing a comprehensive annual fundraising plan, and implementing the necessary infrastructure to support future visionary program goals. The Chief Development Officer must be an excellent relationship builder, working with the team and Board to maintain, expand, and diversify AUSL’s donor base and pipeline.

Compensation

This is a full-time position in a hybrid work environment with an annual salary range of $160,000 - $180,000, based on experience and credentials (with bonus potential for meeting ambitious goals). AUSL’s office is located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. National fundraising efforts will require periodic travel (estimated at less than 10%).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• Support and partner with the Executive Director and Board members to develop and refine the organization’s fundraising strategy around a $4M and growing goal
• Develop a pipeline of potential major donors and lead the solicitation of major gifts (personally managing a portfolio of 100-150 donors).
• Develop, build, and manage fundraising systems that ensure the quality of execution for individual, foundation, and corporate donations.
• Oversee grant writing and reporting efforts to secure and maintain grants from foundations and government sources.
• Oversee special events to increase visibility and generate financial support.

Team Leadership and Management

• Cultivate a high-performing team (including fundraising staff and volunteers) by fostering collaboration, empowering individuals, providing clear direction, and actively supporting professional growth, all while aligning with the overall development strategy and goals of the organization.
• Serve as a member of AUSL’s executive team working in alignment with other members to achieve organizational goals.

Board and Leadership Collaboration

• Provide regular updates to the Board regarding development goals, activities, and progress toward financial targets.
• Engage and support Board members in their fundraising efforts, ensuring they are equipped with the resources and information necessary to engage with potential donors.

Marketing and Communications Support

• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure fundraising efforts are aligned with the organization’s branding and messaging.
• Oversee the development of materials and content for fundraising campaigns (including newsletters, brochures, and digital communications), determining how best to tell AUSL’s story.
• Ensure that the organization’s fundraising events and activities are effectively promoted and recognized within the community.

Budget and Financial Management

• Oversee the development and management of the fundraising budget, ensuring expenses align with the revenue goals.
• Monitor and report on fundraising progress and metrics, including donor retention, revenue growth, and the effectiveness of various initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, financial reporting requirements, and ethical fundraising practices.

Requirements

Competencies

Mission-focused: You have a strong interest in AUSL and the teachers and students we serve; You align with AUSL’s core values: Student-Centered, Tenacious Service, Community Focus.

Strategic: You have the ability to diagnose key short and long-term opportunities and challenges around AUSL fundraising and create a powerful and sustainable fundraising engine.

Entrepreneurial: You are innovative, growth-oriented, and not afraid to jump in and get your hands dirty.

Results-focused: You set ambitious fundraising targets, create and track team metrics on progress, and consistently achieve goals.

Strong interpersonal skills: You have the ability to motivate and lead a productive fundraising team, work hand-in-hand supporting the fundraising efforts of an Executive Director and Board, and build lasting relationships with donors, inspiring them to fund AUSL’s critical programming.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of experience building and leading a high-performing fundraising operation and team (a typical aligned candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience).
• Demonstrated success in consistently meeting and surpassing ambitious fundraising targets and experience securing 6 and 7-figure gifts (where you did the majority of the work).
• Experience leading a major fundraising campaign, working closely with a board of directors to achieve success.
• Supervisory/team leadership (multiple team members concurrently)
• Event management
• Basic financial acumen (to create, monitor, and adjust fundraising financial projections and budgets)
• Database/CRM experience (Raiser’s Edge is a plus but not required)
• The following are a plus (but not required): knowledge of Chicago’s fundraising landscape, knowledge of the education space, national fundraising experience.