Chief Development Officer

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER • Chicago, IL

82d • $175,000 - $175,000

About The Position

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a strategic and dynamic leader who is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive development strategy that fuels the theater’s artistic vision, community impact, and long-term sustainability. This leader is an external representative of the theater and a member of the senior staff who will partner closely with the Executive and Artistic Directors, Board of Directors, and other senior staff members to cultivate and secure philanthropic investment from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources. They will serve as a strategic thought partner as the organization navigates a critical stage of growth and will be responsible for the comprehensive planning, implementation, management, and oversight of all fundraising efforts for the organization. The CDO will bring creativity, rigor, and passion for the performing arts to expand and deepen donor relationships while building a culture of philanthropy across the organization. They are an inspirational leader who is energized by working in an entrepreneurial environment, possesses an exceptionally high level of personal responsibility, is skilled in creating strategy, managing back end processes, engaging with funders, and is driven by building and managing a highly functioning team.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, ideally in the performing arts or cultural sector.
• Experience in the Chicago philanthropic market.
• Strong experience developing fundraising strategy/vision and championing that vision with funders, board members, staff, individual donors and other stakeholders.
• Proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience managing and motivating teams and working with Boards.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to inspire donors and colleagues.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational skills.
• Highly collaborative manner of working with others to quickly build trust.
• A reputation for integrity and building confidence among key stakeholders.
• A Mission-driven leader.
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, extremely collegial with high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Values diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Passion for theater and the transformative power of the arts.
• Understanding that theaters serve their patrons on schedules beyond a traditional 9-5 schedule.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year fundraising strategy and vision for CST that is aligned with organizational priorities and artistic goals.
• Lead all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, institutional giving, planned giving, campaigns, and special events.
• Create, implement and achieve annual contributed revenue goals and plans with year-over-year growth.
• Enthusiastically serve as an engaging ambassador for CST in public settings, fundraising events and community gatherings.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Membership and Development and Engagement Committees.
• Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors and prospects, soliciting gifts at the five, six- and seven-figure level.
• Oversee stewardship strategies that ensure meaningful donor engagement and recognition.
• Develop compelling cases for support in collaboration with executive, artistic and marketing colleagues.
• Build and inspire a highly effective development team, fostering professional growth and accountability.
• Strengthen systems, processes, policies, and data management to support best practice operation.
• Partner with finance and marketing teams to ensure alignment and accurate reporting and recognition.
• Oversee signature fundraising events, including galas, donor and board events, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
• Develop major fundraising campaigns for capital needs, capacity building, and endowment growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees