Position Announcement
Vice President for Development
Chicago Historical Society
The Chicago Historical Society seeks a vice president for development for
this nationally-recognized and locally-treasured urban history museum,
library, and research center. The museum serves young people, scholars, and
a diverse public audience through its innovative programming and rich
collections, and continually expands access to its exhibitions, programs,
and collections through technology, capital improvement, and program
initiatives.
The vice president for development will be responsible for leading and
managing the society's development efforts and for expanding and broadening
the society's $3 million base of annual foundation, government, and
individual donor support, and its $55 million endowment fund. This is a
senior position reporting to the president.
Responsibilities
· Provide strategic direction for the society's development activities,
working closely with the president, trustees, and other volunteer leadership
and providing staff support to their development work.
· As a member of the senior management team, provide leadership in the
development arena for the institution's staff; work with other senior
managers to create a consistent institutional message, develop annual
fund-raising priorities, identify and pursue funding opportunities, and in
other ways help achieve the goals of the society.
· Develop comprehensive annual and long-term plans for the society's
development activities.
· Manage the current capital and endowment campaign and its transition to an
ongoing major gifts campaign; manage the annual giving campaign and the
process of securing funding for exhibitions and special projects.
· Manage major gift solicitation activities of staff and volunteers; as
appropriate, serve as primary or second solicitor for major gifts.
· Manage the 12-member development staff, redefining roles as appropriate;
oversee and, as needed, develop systems for keeping records, tracking
donors,
and managing correspondence; develop and manage the department's budget;
act as a mentor to and provide for the professional development of staff
members; participate actively in carrying out the work of the department.
· Deepen and broaden the constituencies involved with the society as members
and donors.
Qualifications
· B.A. degree and 10 to 15 years' relevant experience, including work with
volunteers, annual funds, and major donors; experience in a not-for-profit
setting and at a senior level are preferred, as is an advanced degree;
· Demonstrated ability to plan and implement a comprehensive development
program for a complex organization and demonstrated skill in the full
spectrum of development and membership activities;
· Success in building and maintaining relationships with individual donors
and a successful track record of soliciting major individual gifts and
securing foundation and government grants;
· Strong communication skills including the ability to write clearly and
persuasively and to generate excitement about the society's educational and
scholarly work;
· Experience managing a staff; the ability to think strategically while
remaining focused on the detail-oriented work and follow-through required by
the position;
· Experience with the variety of systems that support development
activities;
computer literacy is a strong plus, as is knowledge of the Chicago
charitable community.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will be a smart and highly organized self-starter
who maintains high standards for his or her own work and the work of his or
her subordinates and can work effectively with the society's diverse
constituencies. He or she will welcome the opportunity to build
collaborative relationships with the president, trustees, and staff; will
be comfortable with debate; and will enjoy the challenges of variously
assuming leadership, staff, team, and management roles, and of managing and
meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment. A constructive outlook and
an interest in Chicago's history are also key.
This position is to be filled by February 15, 2000.
The Chicago Historical Society is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Employer.
The society offers competitive compensation, commensurate with experience,
and an excellent benefits package.
Further information about the society is available at
www.chicagohistory.org.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to:
Susan Himmelfarb, Search Consultant
711 Superior Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302
Telephone: 708-848-0086; Fax: 708-848-8001
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