Individual Giving Director, Global Social Impact & Disaster Relief

World Central Kitchen • Chicago, IL

8d • $120,000 - $135,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

When disaster strikes, World Central Kitchen moves. Within hours, our teams are on the ground, cooking, serving, and bringing relief to communities in crisis. That kind of rapid, relentless response doesn't happen without people who believe in the power of a meal, and donors who are ready to act the moment we call. As Director of Individual Giving, you will lead one of WCK's most critical funding streams, one that represents over half of our annual revenue. You will build and deepen relationships with the major donors, family foundations, and individual supporters whose generosity makes our global mission possible. You will lead a talented, passionate team. And you will help ensure that when the next disaster hits, WCK has the resources to respond fast. This isn't a role for someone who wants to manage the status quo. It's for someone who wants to build something, grow something, and do it in service of one of the most impactful humanitarian organizations in the world.

Requirements

• 8-10 years of individual giving experience, including a proven track record of securing 7-figure gifts and building long-term donor relationships rooted in trust.
• 3-5 years of team leadership experience, you know how to motivate, manage, and bring out the best in people.
• A strategic mindset with hands-on experience building fundraising plans, setting OKRs, and hitting revenue goals.
• Fluency with fundraising and donor engagement technology; working knowledge of Salesforce and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Awareness of where philanthropy is heading, recurring giving, planned giving, and what donors expect from the organizations they champion.
• Exceptional communication skills and the confidence to engage senior executives, high-net-worth individuals, and external partners at the highest level.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment, because WCK never knows when the next call will come, and neither will you.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment at this time.

Nice To Haves

• Multilingual candidates and those with prior humanitarian or relief organization experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Own a high-value portfolio of major donors and family foundations, driving growth through authentic cultivation, bold solicitation, and meaningful stewardship.
• Build a robust, ever-evolving pipeline of prospective and recurring donors, thinking long-term about sustainable revenue even as you respond to real-time needs.
• Represent WCK at events, conferences, and speaking engagements as a senior ambassador who brings our mission to life in every room.
• Develop and execute ambitious annual and multi-year revenue plans across major, mid-level, and recurring giving, and lead the launch of WCK's planned giving program.
• Partner with Development leadership to ensure Individual Giving is fully aligned with organizational priorities and ready to surge when disaster response demands it.
• Use data, insights, and a strategic eye to continuously refine your approach and seize new opportunities.
• Lead the Individual Giving team with clarity, energy, and accountability, setting priorities, OKRs, and a culture of shared ownership.
• Coach and develop your team members, investing in their growth as much as the program's.
• Foster a collaborative, mission-first environment where people do their best work.
• Serve as the primary voice for individual and major giving in cross-functional strategy discussions, campaigns, and organizational planning.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to craft donor communications that are compelling, consistent, and true to WCK's voice.

Benefits

• WCK covers 100% of insurance premiums for employees and their dependents, including medical, dental, vision, and group life coverage. Benefits begin on your date of hire.
• Options include: Additional Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Supplemental AD&D, Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care and Health Care)
• WCK offers a 50% match up to 8% of employee salary deferrals, beginning within 30 days of hire.
• 100% employer-sponsored group life and disability insurance provided within 30 days.
• Responsible PTO, including vacation, sick, and personal leave, plus paid holidays.
• Learning and development support to grow your career.
• Free and confidential support for life’s challenges.
• Annual Salary Reviews and additional benefits outlined in the Personnel Manual.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed