Director Development, Cubs Charities

Chicago Cubs•Chicago, IL

7d•$115,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development will lead Cubs Charities’ revenue generation strategy and execution, overseeing all fundraising and marketing & communications functions to advance the organization’s mission. This role is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, data-driven diversified revenue plan that engages individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and the broader Cubs community and exceeds operating budget of approximately $12M annually. The Director will collaborate with the Executive Director and development team to manage donor stewardship, board and executive engagement, and storytelling through marketing and communications. The Director serves on the senior leadership team for Cubs Charities and will help drive organizational culture and guide the overall development, strategic planning, and management of the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum 7–10 years of progressive fundraising experience, including leadership roles.
Proven success in securing major gifts and corporate partnerships.
Strong understanding of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and CRM systems.
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with high-level stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Excellent interpersonal skills. You can lead the development team to achieve big goals, working together with the board, Cubs executives, and other key stakeholders to build trusting and lasting relationships.
Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset. You believe strongly in the abilities of your team and that everyone should be working at their highest and best use on behalf of Cubs Charities.
Innovative and curious. You are skilled in data analysis and applying insights to fundraising strategies. You embrace change, bring big ideas to the table, and are well-versed in the use of data to drive strategic decision-making.
Demonstrated leadership and team management skills. You foster an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative culture. As a leader, you champion Cubs Charities’ values, promote professional growth, and inspire a high-performing, mission-driven team.
Passion for community impact and alignment with Cubs Charities’ mission. You believe in the power of sport to bring people together, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for youth. You are driven to advance equity and foster a more inclusive and thriving Chicago.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Execution Design and implement a multi-channel fundraising strategy to achieve annual revenue growth goals.
Oversee a team responsible for all Cubs Charities revenue streams, including: Individual giving (annual, major, and planned gifts) Corporate partnerships and sponsorships Foundation grants Special events and in-ballpark fundraising initiatives Capital campaigns
Board & Donor Engagement & Stewardship Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and partners through personalized engagement and stewardship plans.
Ensure timely and impactful donor recognition and reporting.
Partner with the Cubs Charities Board and executive leadership to leverage networks and relationships for fundraising opportunities.
Prepare and present development updates and strategies to leadership and board committees.
Data-Driven Decision Making Utilize CRM (Salesforce) and analytics to monitor performance, forecast revenue, and inform strategic decisions in partnership with Cubs Charities leadership.
Implement best practices for donor segmentation, pipeline development, and campaign optimization.
Marketing & Communications Oversee Marketing & Communications function for Cubs Charities, including storytelling and brand/messaging alignment across all internal and external communications.

Benefits

On-site parking
Transit benefits
Paid time off: Personal, Sick, Vacation Time, Office Holidays & Winter Break
Flexible work arrangement
Casual work attire environment
Complimentary Meal & beverage plan
Cubs home game & spring training game ticket allotment
Access to campus wide Wrigley Field events & pre-sales
401K Plan Employee Contribution & Employer Match
Benefit Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
Health & Wellness engagement & programming
Variety of associate special events, volunteer opportunities and partnership discounts
Tuition Reimbursement
Free access to EV charging stations
Free subscription to Marquee Sports Network