Job Title: Associate Vice President of Development

Location: Chicago Architecture Center

Department: Development

Reports To: VP of Revenue 

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

Job Purpose:

The Associate Vice President of Development is a strategic and results-oriented leader responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive development strategy to support the organization’s growth and sustainability. This role leads the development team and works closely with senior leadership, board members, and external stakeholders to secure philanthropic contributions, business partnerships, and other revenue sources.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy aligned with organizational goals
•  Develop annual plans of cultivation and events, working with CAC event coordination team. 
• Identify and assess new funding opportunities and revenue streams. 
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align development goals with overall mission and objectives as well as strategic plan and annual goals. 

Fundraising & Revenue Generation:

•  Oversee major gift cultivation and solicitation, corporate partnerships, grants, planned giving, and annual campaigns 
•  Oversee membership programs, their sustainability and growth. 
•  Lead and assess the corporate plan and establish annual revenue goals for corporate funding, sponsorships and Industry Council memberships based on institutional plans and fundraising landscape. 
•  Manage relationships with high-level donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors. 
•  Ensure consistent donor engagement and stewardship practices. 

Team Leadership & Management:

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing development team 
• Set clear performance metrics and manage outcomes
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation. 
• Work closely with CEO on her portfolio of prospects and schedule of outreach.

Communication & Branding:

•  Partner with marketing/communications to create compelling fundraising materials and campaigns. 
•  Represent the organization at public events, donor meetings, and industry conferences. 

Data & Reporting: 

•  Oversee donor databases (e.g., NetSuite, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) to ensure accurate reporting and tracking. 
•  Provide regular progress reports to the VP of Revenue, CEO and board of directors. 
•  Use data analytics to inform decision-making and improve fundraising effectiveness. 

Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred. 
•  5+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development, including managing a team of 4+. 
• Proven success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts and managing donor relationships across all stages of the development cycle. 
• Strong leadership and communication skills with a passion for mission-driven work.
• Experience working with a CRM and donor management system.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, set clear goals, and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. 

Skills:

•  Experience working in a complex nonprofit environment such as a museum, cultural institution,  higher education, or environmental nonprofit. 
• Experience with complex and multi-faceted board and committee management, a plus
• Knowledge of moves management and donor engagement best practices.
• Familiarity with board development and fundraising committees. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.  
• Attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.  
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.  
• Deep knowledge of Chicago’s philanthropic landscape is strongly preferred. 
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills. 
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach and commitment to CAC’s mission.