Description

Director of Development

Full-Time  |  Reports to the Head of School  |  Immediate Opening

About The Academy
The Chicago Academy for the Arts (chicagoacademyforthearts.org), Illinois’ premier independent visual and performing arts high school, seeks an experienced and ambitious Director of Development to lead and expand its philanthropic efforts.

The Academy’s educational model is co-curricular: students engage in rigorous academic classes each morning before immersing themselves in professional-level training in dance, filmmaking, animation, writing, music, musical theatre, theatre, or visual arts. (Note: The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a different school from “ChiArts,” a CPS school.)

Students at The Academy are characterized by an extraordinary sense of purpose and community. Most continue with the arts after high school: alums include hit songwriters, Grammy Award nominees and winners, Broadway stars, internationally acclaimed dancers, and award-winning filmmakers and writers. Students also pursue degrees and careers beyond the arts, becoming successful professionals in science, mathematics, technology, business, law, and medicine.

The Academy is entering an ambitious new chapter — strengthening its programs, deepening its community partnerships, and preparing for a future capital campaign and facility project. This is a pivotal moment to build, and we are seeking the right teammate to lead our development efforts forward. Simply put: this work matters.

Position Summary
Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Development sets the strategy for and directs the implementation of the school’s fundraising efforts, including the annual fund, major and leadership gifts, grant-writing, foundation and corporate support, signature fundraising events, and special-project and campaign funding.

As The Academy rebuilds and strengthens its advancement function, the Director of Development concentrates squarely on philanthropy and constituent engagement, working in close partnership with the Marketing & Communications staff. The Director cultivates a culture of giving across alumni, parents, trustees, and friends of the school, and partners closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees on board development, donor relationships, and long-term institutional strategy.

This position is an extraordinary opportunity for an entrepreneurial development professional to both promote and play a major role in running a school that routinely transforms its students' lives. There is significant potential to grow both philanthropy and engagement at The Academy, and the Director will be well-positioned to shape the school’s trajectory for years to come.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Work closely with the Head of School to develop and execute a compelling strategy to sustain and grow philanthropic revenue, aligned with the school’s mission and strategic priorities.
Serve as an active, contributing member of the Senior Leadership Team, helping set long-term direction and address day-to-day institutional matters.
Partner with the Board of Trustees and the Board’s Development Committee to establish fundraising goals, support board development, and encourage leadership-level philanthropy.
Help envision and prepare for a future capital campaign in support of the school’s growth and new facility plans.
Provide regular, data-informed updates to the Head of School and Board on fundraising progress against goals.
Fundraising & Donor Relations
Lead all of the school’s development efforts, including the annual fund, fundraising events, major and leadership gifts, and foundation and corporate support.
Personally manage a portfolio of major-gift donors and prospects, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
Strategically prepare, brief, and, when appropriate, accompany the Head of School and trustees for high-level donor visits and solicitations.
Identify, research, and pursue foundation and corporate funding opportunities, including grant proposals, sponsorships, and partnership initiatives.
Conceptualize, write, and coordinate compelling solicitation and stewardship materials in partnership with Marketing & Communications.
Alumni, Parent & Community Engagement
Develop and oversee robust alumni and Parents’ Association programs that strengthen lifelong connections to The Academy.
Create meaningful engagement opportunities tailored to each constituency’s interests, experiences, and relationship with the school.
Seek out prominent and distinctive opportunities for The Academy to garner visibility across the Chicagoland community and beyond.
Serve as a highly visible, energetic ambassador for the school’s mission at events and in the broader arts and philanthropic community.
Operations & Team Leadership
Lead, support, and mentor the development team to foster collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Establish strong annual planning practices, including clearly defined, measurable goals and performance metrics.
Oversee development systems and operations, including database management (Salesforce), prospect research, gift processing, acknowledgement, and reporting.
Maintain best practices in stewardship, data integrity, and ethical fundraising, coordinating with the Finance team on the tracking and reporting of contributions.
Experience & Qualifications
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in development or advancement, preferably in independent schools, higher education, or mission-driven nonprofits.
A demonstrated track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing five- and six-figure gifts from major donors.
World-class written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to conceptualize, write, and coordinate solicitation materials, plus first-rate networking and relationship-building skills.
First-rate organizational, managerial, and administrative skills, including working knowledge of Salesforce or a comparable development database.
Strong strategic-thinking and planning skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable, measurable plans.
An engaging, energetic, and inspiring personality, with the ability to work effectively independently, within a team, and in managerial and mentorship roles.
Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and donor engagement, and a genuine commitment to The Academy’s mission.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position begins at $70,000 and is commensurate with experience as our budget allows.

Full-time employees at The Academy have access to medical and dental insurance, ancillary insurance, and 403(b) matching programs.

Our working environment is inspired and authentically mission-driven.

To Apply
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume via email to employment@chicagoartsacademy.org. Early applications will be given priority consideration.

The Academy is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law — are strongly encouraged to apply.