2025 Development Director
MDC
Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships and Development
Heartland Alliance
full-time
Posted on:
Origin: • 🇺🇸 United States • Illinois
Visit company websiteSalary
💰 $115,000 - $120,000 per year
Job Level
Senior
About the role
- Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising and strategic partnership strategy supporting domestic and international programs.
- Research funding sources and trends to position HAI ahead of shifts in foreign aid and philanthropic landscape.
- Develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan to grow unrestricted and program-specific revenue toward a $10M+ annual target.
- Leverage existing relationships to secure high-level meetings and funding opportunities and expand/diversify donor base.
- Within 6 months secure or advance at least $1M USD in new or renewed funding opportunities (including at least $500k for international work).
- Build a robust donor pipeline and calendar projecting at least $3M in realistic new funding opportunities over the first 12 months.
- Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with new donors; manage and grow a diverse portfolio of private and institutional donors.
- Lead development of grant proposals, concept notes, donor reports and collaborate with program and finance teams.
- Lead end-to-end proposal development, writing, editing, coordinating inputs, and developing accurate budgets with finance.
- Ensure final proposals meet all compliance standards and donor solicitation requirements and align with donor priorities and HAI’s mission.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships across key revenue streams and peer organizations; represent HAI in philanthropic and policy networks.
- Evaluate and lead donor engagement strategies, manage donor campaigns, events, year-end giving, and oversee donor communications and marketing materials.
- Supervise the Associate Director, Business Development and collaborate with International Program Manager, Communications Coordinator, and external consultants; grow and lead a development team as capacity increases.
Requirements
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in fundraising, business development, or strategic partnerships, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Demonstrated success in securing six-figure gifts from private and institutional donors.
- Proven track record securing diverse funding opportunities via private and institutional donors including individuals, foundations, corporations, domestic and international government agencies, and multilateral organizations.
- Familiarity with philanthropic landscapes in the U.S. (particularly Chicago) and the LAC region (particularly Colombia).
- Strong ties to the philanthropic community and existing network of philanthropic contacts relevant to HAI’s mission.
- Fluency in Spanish is a strong asset.
- Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Virtuous).
- Strong writing and editing skills, with experience drafting proposals.
- Ability to work independently in a start-up environment.
- Ability to work across multicultural teams and international contexts.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365.
- Experience developing budgets and ensuring proposals meet compliance standards and solicitation requirements.
- Commitment to human rights, social justice, and inclusive leadership.
- Based in the Chicago area or able to commute regularly to a hybrid role without requiring relocation assistance.
