Job Posts

Economic Security for Illinois

Open position: Development & Operations Manager

 

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Details

Start date: May 2022

Location: Position is based in Chicago. This is currently a virtual position; when appropriate again according to health and safety protocols, this position will involve occasional travel to meetings or team retreats.

Compensation: The initial salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000 depending on experience. ESIL offers a comprehensive benefits package including 100% paid medical, dental and vision insurance, employee-matched 401k retirement plan as well as sick and vacation PTO. This position is full-time and considered exempt from FLSA overtime rules. 

Reports to: Executive Director

Manages: No direct reports

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Economic Security for Illinois (ESIL) is hiring a full-time Development & Operations Manager. 

 

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About Economic Security for Illinois

 

Economic Security for Illinois builds collective power to advance policy solutions that make Illinois’ economy the most equitable and inclusive in the country.

 

The policy solutions we promote include:

• A guaranteed income and cash transfer policies that give cash to people who need it, use it, and could benefit from it;   

• Equitable taxation structures, including an expansion of the existing Earned Income Credit and the implementation of a state Child Tax Credit;

• A Future of Work that addresses the current and future needs of Illinois workers and employers by offering higher pay, safer working conditions, and a modernized social safety net.

 

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About the Role

 

Economic Security of Illinois (ESIL) is seeking a Development & Operations Manager to provide critical management of and support to the organization’s fundraising functions and effective coordination of ESIL’s operations and administration. This position will report to, and work closely with, the Executive Director to meet ESIL’s annual fundraising goals and provide superior stewardship and cultivation of both existing and prospective donors. ESIL is a $1+ million organization and works primarily with foundation and individual donors. ESIL is a small team of three full time staff members and 5-10 consultant partners. The Development & Operations Manager will also enable our small team to effectively execute daily responsibilities and key projects, manage organizational events, and strengthen team culture.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, efficient, detail-oriented, and effectively communicates. This person handles challenges and ambiguity with grace and thrives in a fast-paced work environment that prizes creative thinking, low ego, and an all-hands-on-deck approach. 

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Job Responsibilities

 

Donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship (50%)

• Lead on donor cultivation and stewardship activities for both current and prospective donors; involves close coordination with and managing up to Executive Director, who will act as the “face” of ESIL and hold the relationships with funders

• Draft grant proposals, reports, letters of inquiry, concept notes, overviews, updates, and other documents/collateral/content for funders and general fundraising purposes in collaboration with colleagues within ESIL as well as with key external partners

• Plan and manage the logistics for fundraising-related events and meetings; work with Director and programs staff on event content

• Lead or support on new projects and initiatives for donors (e.g. instituting mid-tier donor program), depending on the project/initiative

• Liaise with external partners (including grantees, vendors, and consultants) by managing flow of information

• Develop deep familiarity with ESIL’s donor portfolio

• Build out and keep fresh ESIL’s prospective donor pipeline

• Research existing and prospective donors, e.g. for meetings, events, and prospecting

 

Development data management and administrative support (20%)

• Keep development and donor information up-to-date in database and newsletter list, with an eye towards timeliness and data accuracy and integrity

• Engage in gift administration, including gift processing; also involves playing a key role in coordinating with the programs team to ensure ESIL is on track for all donor expectations, deliverables, and metrics

 

Management of team systems (30%)

• Support the Executive Director with coordinating the organization’s meetings, calendar, and team-wide activities 

• Support information management and tracking by keeping digital files updated and organized, including organizational lists and records

• Answer and triage requests and follow up from organizational email account 

• Update, organize, and maintain ESIL’s communication contact lists across various platforms

• Support during coalition and staff meetings

• Lead effective team-wide implementation and maintenance of our project management tool, Asana

• Support the Executive Director with external scheduling and logistics, expense reports, and monthly time tracking

• Support the Executive Director with creating and monitoring contracts and grant agreements

• Support in creating and improving processes and systems to elevate ESIL’s operations

• Support with other tasks as needed

• Help prepare team for critical internal and external meetings

• Facilitate and foster team culture in a virtual world by organizing team celebrations, designing and facilitating team-building spaces, and supporting and facilitating team retreats

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The Skills and Attributes You’ll Need

 

We are passionate about developing a diverse and inclusive team. If you are passionate about our work but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply.

• At least three years of experience in a position with transferable skills or a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience in a position with transferable skills; strong preference for prior experience with fundraising/development within a nonprofit setting

• Experience with and/or commitment to economic, social, and racial justice, including the ability to discuss these issues and their intersections in a nuanced manner

• Excellent written, speaking, editing, and research skills, including the ability to seek out and synthesize complex information from disparate sources

• Top-notch project management skills, including the ability to manage outputs from staff at all levels of the organization

• High level of relational awareness, emotional intelligence, and a “customer service” orientation, especially when engaging with current and prospective donors

• The ability and willingness to regularly manage data and ensure it’s updated on a continuous basis, including pulling information from colleagues as needed

• Ability to work on deadline, adapt to changing situations, prioritize, and switch between different projects and tasks on short notice

• Quick learner and ability to take initiative and problem-solve

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Asana, Slack, Zoom, MailChimp, Canva, and G Suite a plus

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How to Apply

Please submit your resume, answers to three pre-screening questions (either as a text document, PDF, or in the body of an email), and a writing sample to info@economicsecurityil.org. The pre-screening questions are as follows; please keep each answer at or under 350 words: 

 

1. Why are you interested in working at Economic Security for Illinois? Please share your interest from a professional and/or personal perspective.

2. Can you tell us about a time you centered equity and inclusion in your current or in a previous role?

3. Tell us about a time when you had to manage multiple tasks to advance other team members' priorities

 

The writing sample should be a piece of recent work that you produced in either an academic or professional setting. Please only submit pieces for which you completed a significant majority (75+ percent) of both the drafting and editing. Applications without responses to the questions will not be considered. A cover letter is not necessary.

 

Our hiring process typically consists of a phone interview (30-45 minutes) with a member of our hiring committee and a final interview (currently conducted by video; 60 minutes) with presentation materials prepared in advance by the candidate. We will ask for references at the time of the final interview.

 

Reviews of applications will begin on a rolling basis. Application will remain open until the position is filled. We expect to make a hiring decision by early May 2022 for an early- to mid-May 2022 start date.

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Because Economic Security for Illinois (ESIL) values a diverse and representative workplace, people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and people of all gender identities are strongly encouraged to apply. ESIL is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. Our work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

 

If you have questions about this opportunity, please reach out to info@economicsecurityil.org

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