Senior Director, Board Relations and Individual Giving

Lincoln Park ZooSenior Director, Board Relations and Individual Giving

The Senior Director, Board Relations and Individual Giving will be a senior member of the development and Lincoln Park Zoo team, managing a staff of seven with responsibility for annual giving ($365+), including the Conservators’ Council, the zoo’s premier philanthropy circle.

The Senior Director will lead all governance activity working closely with the Board Chair, CEO and Vice President of Development to guide board engagement and vitality.

The role will be charged with positioning the Women’s Board and Auxiliary Board for significant growth in fundraising and civic engagement.

An experienced, collaborative, team-oriented development leader, this important role will foster a vibrant board, volunteer and philanthropy culture.

Ready to apply Before you do, make sure to read all the details pertaining to this job in the description below.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Board of Trustees

• With a Director of Board Relations and Board Liaison, lead and oversee all Trustee engagement and activity meeting strategy / topics, committee structure and health, retreats and travel, annual survey, personal board engagement.
• Grow the Board Annual Fund and support trustee philanthropy in partnership with major and planned giving teams.
• Develop a trustee travel program and annual board retreat.
• Support the Nominating Committee and the recruitment of civic and corporate leaders.

Individual Giving

• Lead a team of 4 to grow the Annual Fund program (currently raising $7M per year).
• Create strong culture of lead annual giving, through the Conservators’ Council Donor community.
• Develop strategic donor communications, solicitation and stewardship practices.
• Modernize and expand the tribute giving program (benches, gardens IHO / IMO loved ones).
• Support high impact events that connect donors to zoo experts and programs and cultivate higher levels of giving; launch a giving day.
• Work closely with the Director of Membership to coordinate pipeline of member to donor conversion.
• Partner with the major and planned giving teams to support major gift potential of annual fund donors.
• Develop donor stewardship practices and calendar.

Women’s Board and Auxiliary Board

• Supervise a team of 3 charged with raising $2M+ a year through 4-5 annual events.
• Lead the continued modernization and fundraising success of the Women’s Board and Auxiliary Boards to a gross goal of $2.2M.
• Lead solicitation and expand Zoo Ball, the zoo’s signature fundraising to a gross of $2M.
• Re-launch the Women Supporting Wildlife event as a mission-driven civic gathering to celebrate women in conservation and wildlife science.
• Position the Auxiliary Board for future growth and impact, including an assessment of the board’s fundraising impact.
• Cultivate and implement modern, relevant and efficient board identities and practices : meetings, committee structure, fundraising efforts.

General

• Will partner regularly with the Board Chair, CEO, CFO and senior staff.
• Daily external work with Trustees and top donors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proficient in English with exceptional communication and writing skills.
• Thorough knowledge of office practices, procedures and equipment, and ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, SharePoint).
• Familiarity with Outlook, Raiser’s Edge and / or Salesforce (fundraising software); and design software is a plus.
• Open to learning new technologies.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Ability to manage several tasks simultaneously and complete in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently, exercising independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, zoo visitors and general public.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education / experience is required.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 10+ years of board relations and fundraising experience at a mission-driven organization.
• Experience managing large teams.
• Non-profit or museum / zoo experience a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to work in open office environment.
• Ability to traverse zoo grounds to facilitate tours, greet visitors, coordinate meetings.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Available to work special events that may occur outside of regular work schedule, including evenings, weekends or holidays, as assigned.

Salary range : $141,000-$172,000

Anticipated Start Date : September 14, 2024

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and / or misogynoir are encouraged to apply.

J-18808-Ljbffr