Director of Development and Communications

ABOUT PACTT

Founded in 1993, Parents Allied with Children and Teachers for Tomorrow (PACTT) pursues a mission to assist individuals with autism in becoming as independent as possible with the ability to be fully part of their home and community.

Through a carefully designed continuum of educational, residential, and vocational and day services, PACTT builds a web of natural, and agency supports around each participant. Our emphasis on training enables participants to learn new skills, strengthen existing abilities, and pursue a full life that includes learning, work, friendships, and recreation. Programs are located in Oak Park and Rogers Park and currently engage nearly 70 children and adults.

PACTT is an active member of Intersect for Ability, a consortium of social service providers collaborating to improve employment outcomes, life-stage transitions, and staff development across Illinois. In terms of advocacy, PACTT partners with the Institute for Public Policy for People with Disabilities, as well as the Oak Park Mental Health Board’s Developmental Disabilities Consortium and Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Our vision is to advance human rights through every activity and partnership within the organization. PACTT aims to create a world where our participants are respected for the value they add to the lives of those with whom they work and live. This vision is driving a period of measured organizational growth and exciting momentum. The Board of Directors has deepened its resources as the governing body of the organization in close collaboration with the Executive Director. PACTT is also in the final phases of expanding its Rogers Park Campus and is on schedule to open a new school within the next 18 months. Under this context, PACTT seeks an experienced, collaborative leader to optimize contributed revenue streams as a pillar of PACTT’s strategy for long-term, sustainable success.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development and Communications serve as the architect for expanding the culture of philanthropy at PACTT.

This position will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that meets the PACTT’s annual fundraising goals. Alongside fundraising priorities, the position will help establish a centralized communications function at PACTT, providing a professional, standardized approach to engagement with both internal and external stakeholders, including donors, parents, staff and public agency partners.

For over fifteen years, PACTT has generated between $800K - $1M annually in contributed revenue via a combination of special events, major gifts, appeals and some grant-seeking. Looking forward, PACTT’s strategic position and organizational priorities call for a refreshed approach, with an emphasis on engaging a broader base of individual and institutional supporters.

To make this growth possible, PACTT’s Board and executive team are developing an operating budget that expands resources for the development and communications functions, growing to up to 3 Full-Time members, supplemented by contract support.

The Director of Development and Communications is responsible for holding the highest standards of practice at PACTT and will be expected to be a collaborative leader committed to PACTT’s programming and its broader role in the Autism-services community and related sectors.

This is a full-time position under a hybrid remote/on-site structure, with regular weekday hours and occasional evenings and weekends required for special events, donor engagements, board meetings or similar activities. PACTT’s development and communications office will be based in the new Rogers Park campus, with additional activity at the facilities in Oak Park.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Works with the Executive Director and in collaboration with other senior leadership to strategically build and expand programs and develop systems that improve programs at PACTT in line with its strategic vision. The Director provides vital input in short- and long-term needs for the organization, helping to identify and address issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities for PACTT’s overall health and effectiveness.

The Director of Development and Communications provides overall leadership for the department and communications office. This includes defining and revising staff positions, key vendor scopes of work and routine evaluation of performance and impact. This also includes building strong, collaborative relationships with external stakeholders to advance strategic initiatives and further the agency’s mission.

The Director drives development and implementation of the annual development plan and budget, manages and monitors spending for the office and all related programs and initiatives. This includes limited communications activities and best use of additional resources to realize the development and communications goals for PACTT.

Priority areas include:

A. Annual Giving – this program seeks philanthropic support across PACTT’s constituent groups. Most specifically, the individual donor base (including some family members), as well as general supporters and institutional partners. Year-round giving is currently anchored by appeals and key communications collateral (i.e. the annual report).

B. Major Gifts Program – in collaboration with the Major Gifts Director, the Director of Development and Communications will support the further strategic alignment of major gifts at PACTT.

C. Special Events - the Director is responsible for fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events. This includes direction, management and evaluation of two annual fundraising events, as well as several anticipated cultivation and stewardship events developed in collaboration with board and volunteer leaders.

D. Institutional Giving – the Director of Development and Communications is responsible for grant-seeking activity, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation and reporting process for PACTT’s roster of funders and prosects across the foundation, business and public service sectors.

E. Stewardship and Cultivation - building strong, collaborative relationships with donors, organizational partners, and the community to advance the strategic initiatives of the organization and further the agency’s mission.

F. Knowledge Management and Development Operations - oversight and direction on key back-end needs for the department, including the fundraising database, gift and pledge processing, prospect research and reporting.

G. Planning for Growth, Expansion and Restructure

The Director of Development and Communications will play a key role in shaping the future of PACTT’s development and communications functions. This includes assessing departmental capacity, identifying opportunities to strengthen systems, and recommending realistic priorities as the organization continues to grow. The Director will partner with the Executive Director and senior leadership to co-create thoughtful expansion of the department, improvements to internal and external communications, and the evolution of fundraising operations and donor engagement strategies. Opportunities may include enhanced communications infrastructure, expanded volunteer and board‑committee engagement, planned giving, adjustments to the special events portfolio and/or major gifts development.

MINIMUM REQUIRMENTS

• At least 7 years of leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising or a related field.
• Proven track-record of success in fundraising (annual fund, grants, events) and demonstrated skill strategic marketing and communications (oral and written)
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Proficiency with CRM / digital tools
• Direct experience with and/or an informed perspective on the autism community

Compensation

This position offers an annual salary range of $90,000–$115,000, commensurate with experience. PACTT provides a health benefits stipend and the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) plan.

Next Steps / How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

• A cover letter expressing interest in the position
• A current résumé

Deadline: March 15, 2026

Early applications are encouraged. All submissions will be reviewed and kept confidential.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oak Park, IL 60302

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance