Senior Director External Relations, Chicago

🇺🇸In-Person - Chicago, IL$135K–$145K/yr3h ago

Higher Ed Executive Fundraising Strategy Partnership Management Board Leadership Revenue Operations Executive Leadership

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Role Snapshot

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Senior Director of External Relations leading iMentor's Chicago regional revenue strategy and market presence. Responsible for building a $2–$3M philanthropic revenue portfolio while activating the Regional Board and strengthening community partnerships.

Key Responsibilities: Set and execute regional revenue strategy across corporate, foundation, and individual giving; cultivate and secure five- and six-figure investments; lead Regional Board fundraising and engagement; represent iMentor in the Chicago market through events and partnerships; build government and civic relationships; and coordinate cross-functionally with national and regional teams.

Skills & Tools: Strategic fundraising and donor relationship management, multi-stream revenue strategy development, board leadership and volunteer engagement, partnership building across corporate and civic sectors, strong communication and negotiation skills, and ability to translate organizational vision into measurable results.

Qualifications: 8–10+ years of experience in fundraising, partnerships, or external relations with increasing responsibility; demonstrated success securing high-value gifts and managing multi-stream revenue strategies; experience engaging boards and senior volunteer leaders; familiarity with federated or national organizational structures.

Location: In-Person - Chicago, IL

Compensation: $135K–$145K/yr

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Job Description

Revenue Strategy and Execution:

Set and lead the regional revenue strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and local market opportunity

Build and manage a growing portfolio with a trajectory toward overseeing $2–$3M in annual philanthropic revenue across corporate, foundation, and individual giving

Cultivate, secure, and steward five- and six-figure investments through strategic relationship management and donor engagement

Drive new pipeline development by identifying and advancing priority prospects in partnership with national leadership

Support accurate forecasting and portfolio management to drive consistent revenue performance

Regional Board Leadership:

Activate the Regional Board as a driver of fundraising, engagement, and network-building

Partner with regional leadership to support board recruitment, engagement, and participation in revenue-generating activities

Lead the planning and execution of board strategy, including meetings, communications, and engagement opportunities

Market Presence & Partnerships:

Represent iMentor in the Chicago market, strengthening the organization’s visibility and positioning through events, convenings, and partnerships

Build and steward relationships with corporate, community, and cross-sector partners to expand iMentor’s reach and impact

Lead local activation of national campaigns and initiatives, ensuring strong local resonance and engagement

Identify and pursue partnership opportunities that integrate mentor recruitment, funding, and brand visibility

Government & Civic Relationships:

Build and maintain relationships with government, civic, and education stakeholders to support iMentor’s presence and growth in the region

Partner with national and regional staff leadership to identify and pursue public funding opportunities

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Serve as a key connector across national and regional teams, ensuring alignment between fundraising, partnerships, communications, and program priorities

Contribute to regional strategy and planning in partnership with leadership

Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership across teams

Partner closely with Chicago’s recruitment leadership to manage and grow the local corporate partnerships portfolio, ensuring strong alignment between mentor recruitment goals and philanthropic investment

Serve as a key member of the Chicago Leadership Team, supporting healthy effective cross-team communication, coordination and a cohesive regional presence

Qualifications:

8–10+ years of experience in fundraising, partnerships, or external relations, with increasing scope of responsibility

Experience leading multi-stream revenue strategies (corporate, foundation, individual, and/or public funding)

Demonstrated success securing and managing high-value gifts and partnerships, including six- and seven-figure investments

Experience engaging and activating boards or senior volunteer leaders

Experience working within federated or national–regional organizational structures, with the ability to translate enterprise strategy into locally relevant market strategies

Demonstrated ability to balance local ownership with national alignment, navigating complexity and influencing across teams and stakeholders

Mindset of an adaptive leader, with a willingness to build, iterate, and flex as the organization grows and changes, regardless of title or hierarchy

Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complexity without relying on fixed answers or rigid structures

Experience taking initiative, managing ambiguity, and making sound, high-impact decisions

Proven ability to operate as an external ambassador and build relationships with senior stakeholders, including executives, board members, and civic leaders

Strategic thinker who can translate vision into execution and measurable results

Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary $135,000 to $145,000 annually commensurate with experience.

Up to 100% employer-funded comprehensive medical and dental coverage.

18 paid days annual vacation (increasing annually to 21, 23, 25), 13 paid holidays, plus your birthday, plus one floating holiday, iMentor closed between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, plus 8 sick days annually.

401k match up to 4%.

Flexible Home/Office/School working arrangement.

Pre-tax commuter benefits.

Dependent care and health care flexible spending plans.

1 hour of wellness time off per week for wellness activities of your choosing.

Flexible personnel wellness budget for reimbursements or marketplace purchases.

Every staff member is eligible for organization-sponsored professional development annually.

9 weeks of paid parental leave