Chief Development Officer

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the
human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport,
every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois, accredited
by Special Olympics, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization
offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a
community of more than 55,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes,
Unified Partners, coaches, volunteers, and more.

Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with
intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full
potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance
physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and
encourage family and community support.

Special Olympics began in Illinois with the first games at
Soldier Field in July 1968. Innovators, pioneers, and concerned,
forward-thinking individuals of goodwill including Anne McGlone
Burke, Dr. William Freeberg of Southern Illinois University, Dr.
Frank Hayden, William McFetridge and Dan Shannon of The Chicago
Park District, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver helped establish Special
Olympics as an essential part of our modern history. Eunice Kennedy
Shriver opened the competition with what is now the Athlete Oath.
Today, the Special Olympics movement represents 3.9 million
athletes in 227 national and state Programs operating in 177
countries and jurisdictions that host 46,000 annual competitions.
Special Olympics Illinois is financially sound with diverse revenue
streams and a thorough annual budget process. Special Olympics
Illinois does not charge athletes or their families to participate
in the program.

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the
attempt.” -Athlete Oath

THE POSITION

The Chief Development Officer, a pro-active, energetic,
relationship builder and mission-driven fundraising strategist,
will have an exciting and rewarding opportunity to build the next
phase of transformative growth for Special Olympics Illinois.
Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Chief
Development Officer is responsible for planning and leading all
aspects of fundraising and campaign initiatives.

The Chief Development Officer will bring demonstrated experience
building and growing comprehensive development programs with a team
of dedicated professionals which include a centralized development
team and various leaders representing eleven different regions
across Illinois. The Chief Development Officer will also have
strength in developing individual giving programs and will carry a
portfolio of individual donor prospects. The Chief Development
Officer will be creative, entrepreneurial, and comfortable in an
environment that requires high-level strategic planning combined
with hands-on execution.

MAJOR OBJECTIVES

Within the first 12 to 18 months, the Chief Development
Officer will achieve the following major objectives:

• Establish trust and confidence with the President & CEO,
  Executive Leadership Team, Board members, and development staff
  through measured, collaborative, and capable leadership.
• Develop and implement a visionary, long-term strategic plan for
  development that centers fundraising at the organization as part of
  the annual strategic and budget planning cycle targeting 10% growth
  over two years.
• Build, lead, mentor, and support a high-performing,
  mission-driven development team that grows a diverse and
  increasingly larger base of donors and prospects.
• Build and generate a portfolio of at least three to five
  leadership gifts at the seven-figure level, with a goal of
  increasing leadership and major giving to $2 to $3 million annually
  within the next three years.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Development Officer will have the following
responsibilities:

• Actively participate as a valued member of the Executive
  Leadership Team.
• Lead the growth of Special Olympics Illinois’ strategic
  relationship management efforts, including strengthening the
  philosophy and process for identifying, qualifying, cultivating,
  and stewarding new and existing donors and prospects.
• Lead, manage, inspire, and grow Special Olympics Illinois’
  high-caliber team of development professionals.
• Develop targeted, innovative campaign strategies that enhance
  private philanthropy and build a pipeline for major, leadership,
  and principal gifts from new high-net worth donors and prospects;
  prioritize and solidify the growth and acceleration of donor
  support toward the campaign.
• Create inclusive opportunities for all giving levels to support
  various events.
• Plan, manage, and coordinate a collaborative strategy that
  provides support to the President & CEO and the Board of
  Directors in their donor engagement activities.
• Work in close partnership with the Board and Executive
  Leadership Team in setting robust achievable fundraising goals with
  clear strategies, targets, and metrics that ensure
  accountability.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50 to 75 leadership-level
  donors and prospects, focusing on a pipeline of six and
  seven-figure plus prospects.
• Set philosophy for all organizational processes and systems,
  CRM database, and prospect research, to support future operational
  needs.
• Participate as a committed, valued, and collegial leader of the
  development team who recognizes the contributions of others.
• Work closely with the marketing and communications team on
  strategies to attract new partners and donors and magnify Special
  Olympics Illinois’ philanthropic visibility.
• Contribute to the creation of a vibrant culture where everyone,
  especially the athletes and families of Special Olympics Illinois,
  feels valued, with a sense of belonging, and where contributions of
  all team members in programming, outreach, and philanthropy are
  recognized as equally important.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess most of the following
qualifications and skillsets:

• 7-10 years of proven leadership-level experience cultivating
  and securing major donors across high-net-worth individuals,
  corporations, and foundations.
• A commitment to the mission and work of Special Olympics
  Illinois and its core values.
• A history of building and/or growing sustainable, comprehensive
  development programs.
• A demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion
  in fundraising and development efforts, ensuring equitable
  treatment of all members and donors.
• Experience developing, coaching, and mentoring a team of
  development professionals.
• Prior experience assessing development programs and aligning
  team members to best achieve strategic goals and
  opportunities.
• Entrepreneurial, creative, and flexible work style capable of
  thriving within a dynamic and growing organization.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and analytic skills;
  the ability to be both creative and strategic, and communicate
  ideas, concepts, and plans with enthusiasm and diplomacy.
• Experience promoting a global brand. A background in sports
  marketing would be a plus.
• An appreciation for competitive sports, healthcare, and
  leadership.
• Flexibility to travel state-wide with the highest frequency in
  the Chicagoland area. Overnight travel will be required several
  times/year.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $170,000 – $180,000 and is
based on skills, qualifications, and experience.

Special Olympics Illinois offers a comprehensive and flexible
benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical,
dental, vision insurance; life and accident, long-term disability;
401(k) plan; paid time off including vacation, sick days, and 15
paid holidays; Employment Assistance Program; and Bereavement
leave.

Special Olympics Illinois offers a hybrid work environment with
a minimum of three days on site at either the office located in the
West Loop neighborhood of Chicago or the headquarters’ office
located in Normal, IL.