The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. By informing them, inspiring them, and involving them in world affairs, we will support an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to have a tangible impact. An important part of the Council’s work is our growing corporate partner network; these companies and their employees engage with a wide range of Council activities and provide the Council with critical financial support. The Council celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. Do you want to help shape our next century?

The Role

Reporting to the Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Assistant Director is a corporate fundraising and partnership professional who works with the Director to ensure that corporate donors are contributing to and participating in the Council's offerings at the highest levels.

The Assistant Director position is a hybrid role and requires some in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location and donor visits across the Chicago area, based on work activities and peak seasons.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as the primary liaison and account manager for a portfolio of corporate partners and prospects, securing partnership agreements and multi-year pledges in the range of $25,000 to $1,000,000 plus.
• Steward current corporate donors and renew or increase their annual support.
• With the support of the Director, identify and solicit new corporate donors capable of giving at the $25,000 level and above.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with company representatives to develop an understanding of their international business interests, partnership goals, and areas of expertise.
• Meet with corporate members and prospects regularly, conduct on-site and virtual orientations for employees at their offices, and work with company representatives to identify senior leaders.
• Manage the planning and outreach for the Corporate Leadership Conversation series and other relevant corporate relations events.
• Connect corporate constituents with Council experts, fellows, leadership, and other corporate members.
• Work in partnership with the Director to develop custom sponsorship benefits and identify companies to sponsor specific Council priorities.
• Write compelling donor communication about the Council’s upcoming programs and studies, sponsorship opportunities, and other ways to be involved in the Council’s work, linking the Council’s work to matters important to corporate donors.
• Collaborate with Development staff about individuals within the corporate constituency who are members of the Board of Directors, major donors, and prospects for personal support.
• In partnership with other members of the corporate relations team, assist in the administration of event administration, database, and communications processes.
• Attend Council activities with strong corporate presence, approximately 2-3 per month, including some evening and early morning hours, and leverage these events to engage current and potential corporate partners.
• Participate collaboratively with the Development team’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. 
• Perform other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and 3-4 years of directly relevant experience, preferably in non-profit fundraising, account management, or business development.
• Excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills, including proposal writing, public speaking, business meeting, and presentation experience.
• Experience generating and using reports related to donor giving, corporation activity, and prospect pipelines.
• Keen attention to detail; well-honed organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple relationships and projects concurrently.
• Ability to work evening and early morning programs as assigned.