Executive Director of Development - Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

POSITION SUMMARY

IMSA is undertaking a $12M-$15M campaign to advance its 2033 Vision, including enhancing its residential facilities. Through intensive planning and research on student housing best practices, IMSA seeks to reimagine the student experience by modernizing our residential infrastructure for students now and for years to come.

As we look ahead, we envision a campus and residential experience that reflects our strong reputation as a best-in-class math and science academy. A campus where students have greater access to needed services and amenities, enhanced living, learning and recreation spaces, equitable opportunities for students and families to connect, and expanded infrastructure for our growing student body. We are working with the state to secure funding for the residential halls; however, we will rely on private philanthropy for the shared amenity spaces dedicated to care, connection, and curiosity.

IMSA offers 10^th-12^th grade STEM-loving Illinois students from every socioeconomic background tuition-free educational offerings and opportunities they can’t find elsewhere in the state. IMSA exists to transform lives by transcending educational boundaries through inquiry and innovation. We offer a challenging education for students talented in the areas of mathematics and science, and we stimulate further excellence in STEM for all Illinois schools. Our world-class cadre of faculty and administrators and extensive range of STEM classes and research experiences transcend disciplinary boundaries. The IMSA experience also distinguishes itself through its unparalleled network of students, alumni, and partners dedicated to progress in STEM and united to help such trailblazing students fulfill their academic and career potential. Whether in class with an instructor, in the residence hall under the guidance of a resident counselor, or interacting with alumni working in a STEM field, a student’s IMSA experience is a shared and lifelong one.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a skilled leader and experienced fundraiser to join a leading STEM Academy whose cadre of Alumni include the founder of YouTube, PayPal, Yelp and Match.com. IMSA seeks a mission-driven development professional who is eager to join our efforts to design and implement creative and high impact development strategies focused on the campaign, identify and pursue prospective new funders and major donors, and ensure that IMSA continues on its trajectory of growth and impact. Reporting to the Chief Public Affairs and Development Officer and working closely with the IMSA President, the ED is a core leader of the Advancement Team and joins a Major Gift Officer, Donor Database Manager (Raiser’s Edge/Blackbaud), Finance Manager and an Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk. 

Candidate Profile: IMSA recognizes that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• Mission Alignment. A mission-driven fundraiser, you are excited by an opportunity to use your professional skills to join us in contributing to a thriving STEM education ecosystem and economy.
• Donor Stewardship and Engagement. A seasoned development professional, you are unafraid to make big asks, aim high, and secure sustainable contributions and relationships with institutional funders, high-net-worth donors, and key partners. You model best in class stewardship practices and utilize storytelling techniques to convey the impact of donor contributions, and are experienced working in organizations that have successfully and consistently increased and achieved fundraising goals. A networker and a connector, you thrive on developing mutually beneficial donor relationships—particularly with high-net-worth individuals—and adeptly safeguard donor privacy with the utmost discretion. You bring a record of success providing strategic fundraising leadership across the organization, fostering transparent communication, and leveraging the collective expertise of staff and volunteers to maximize fundraising outcomes.
• Leadership and Organizational Development. At your core, you are energized by expanding philanthropic revenue and have successfully developed a culture of philanthropy within your teams, partners, and organization. Both strategic and action-oriented, you bring a track record of building integrated campaigns aimed at increasing philanthropic revenue and positioning your organization for growth and sustainability. An action-oriented leader, you have experience designing tactical campaigns that integrate donor cultivation, major gifts/individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, and events that attract and sustain long-term philanthropic attention.
• Persuasive Communication and Relationship Building. An excellent written and oral communicator, you understand how to develop and implement fundraising strategies that drive donor engagement, enhance fundraising outcomes, and successfully advance your organization's mission, goals, and strategic priorities. You are a nimble and strategic communicator who demonstrates an exceptional capacity to deeply engage audiences, ignite a sense of purpose, and effectively mobilize financial support for your organization and its causes. A big-picture thinker, you deploy nuanced fundraising strategies that foster philanthropic alliances, impassion donors, and expand the network of allies and connectors dedicated to your organization’s cause.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment. IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential, and execute our mission to advance the human condition.

This Equity and Excellence work is the intentional integration of Cultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Equity-Minded Frame, Excellence and Inclusion into every facet of the Academy, with the understanding that it is an active and ongoing process involving structures, processes and people and not an isolated initiative.

This position will support IMSA's Diversity work by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive constituent-centered support while promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives collaborating at IMSA to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Executive Director of Development will be responsible for but not limited to fulfilling these essential accountabilities:

• In close collaboration with the Chief Public Affairs and Development Officer and the IMSA President, develop effective strategies to achieve a $12-$15M campaign goal over the course of the next three years
• Lead and coach a Major Gift Officer during a period of accelerated growth and impact
• Personally manage key donors and take a hands-on approach to the development and implementation of strategies aimed at cultivating and deepening donor relationships, resulting in increased support and funding for the campaign
• Develop persuasive storytelling strategies that convey IMSA’s mission and impact and motivate a call to action for philanthropy
• Uphold the highest ethical standards in all fundraising activities, instilling trust and confidence in donors, allies, and partners
• Provide strategic fundraising direction and support for a campaign steering committee made up of fundraising volunteers
• Identify, cultivate and solicit major gift, endowment and planned giving prospects
• Champion and ensure high standards of philanthropy (e.g. AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, Donor Bill of Rights, CASE Principles of Practice for Fundraising Professionals at Educational Institutions)
• Ability to travel as needed
• Other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A proven record of success in fundraising campaign achievement
• Minimum of seven years of multifaceted fundraising experience, with at least three years in an educational environment preferred
• Demonstration of significant professional learning in the field
• Master’s degree strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree required
• Broad and deep knowledge of corporate, foundation, and individual donor philanthropy programs and practices
• Understanding of legal and ethical standards and a “strong moral compass”
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This role generally requires mobility, written and verbal communication, hearing and visual capabilities. However, reasonable accommodations, including assistive technology, may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform such requirements. 

COMPENSATION

This is a 12 month exempt position. Starting salary is approximately $120,000 and is commensurate with education, training, and experience. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including health and retirement benefits. The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement Systems of Illinois (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit a letter of interest, complete and current resume/CV, and the contact information for three current professional references. Applications will be accepted and reviewed as received until the position is filled. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. We are seeking a diverse applicant pool.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion or national origin.  This policy also includes the handicapped and all disabled Vietnam era veterans.  IMSA utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees. 

Qualified individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.