| Title: | Manager of Individual Giving |
|---|---|
| ID: | 1967 |
| Department: | Development |
DEPARTMENT: Development
REPORTS TO: Director of Individual & Planned Giving
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
SALARY: $60,000 - $65,000
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Shedd Aquarium is seeking a full-time Manager, Individual Giving to join its Development Department and play a critical role in advancing fundraising on behalf of our Centennial Commitment as the Development Department pursues two goals:
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Raising $130M towards the cost of Shedd’s experience evolution here at our historic home on Museum Campus
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Increasing philanthropic support of Shedd’s annual operations by 50-60% to support the future institutional financial model by 2027
The Manager, Individual Giving will advance individual philanthropy across membership, leadership, and planned giving programs to grow revenue and increase the number of Shedd supporters. Guided by the Director of Individual and Planned Giving, the Manager will serve as a partner in philanthropy to cultivate high-level members from a transactional to a relational donor experience and build new philanthropic pathways by promoting our leadership and planned giving societies to new and existing audiences. Paramount to this position is the ability to work entrepreneurially and manage various efforts at once, while maintaining a clear view of how each effort supports Shedd’s mission and Centennial Commitment fundraising priorities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.Individual Giving
- Manage and implement programmatic acquisition, renewal, and upgrade strategies of Sponsor, Ambassador, and Aquarium Council members ($500-$9,999).
- Partner across the Membership Team to streamline the conversion of members into higher-level donors through direct response and high-touch techniques.
- Serve as a primary liaison and stewardship voice for Sponsor, Ambassador, and Aquarium Council members, providing concierge-level support via phone, email, and direct contact for member benefits, tours, and programs.
- Collaborate with the Donor Engagement & Events team to design and coordinate a year-round cultivation and stewardship plan for mid-level & leadership donors that maximizes revenue, retention & donor loyalty.
- Assist in developing support materials for fundraising activities and campaigns.
Relationship Management
- Manage and personally solicit a portfolio of 100 new Aquarium Council and loyal member households with a focus on qualifying their philanthropic interests and capacity to retain or increase their unrestricted support.
- Cultivate and transition Aquarium Council members with high velocity.
- Collaborate across the Individual Giving and Prospect Development teams to systematically identify, qualify, and transition new donor leads and membership segments who have the inclination and capacity to increase their giving.
- Maintain accurate records of donor outreach and solicitation in Tessitura.
Shedd Priorities
- Demonstrate a commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values.
- Maintain current understanding of Shedd’s Centennial Commitment strategic plan, focus areas, successes, and overall results to effectively communicate to supporters.
- Actively use Tessitura and SharePoint as central resources for managing fundraising activity, institutional knowledge, and progress towards shared goals.
- Commit to the Development team’s ongoing efforts to proactively become a more anti-racist fundraising operation.
- Incorporate Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion (DEAI) principles in all planning and strategy efforts, to help build a member and donor base better reflective of our Chicago community.
- Contribute to a greater focus on the well-being of individual members of the team, including a heightened emphasis on work-life balance.
- All other duties as assigned.
Education: Minimum BA or equivalent experience required.
Experience:
- 3+ years of progressive experience in development or membership with preference for a proven track record in:
- Increasing member-donor retention, loyalty, and engagement
- Successful donor engagement via in-person and/or virtual meetings, phone, and email
- Excellent written and oral communication skills that are effective with a diverse range of audiences, including members, donors, volunteers, internal staff, executives, visitors, and all constituencies.
- An entrepreneurial mindset for planning, analytics, and organization.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team; detail-oriented, well-organized, focused, and goal-oriented, with a high level of initiative and problem-solving skills.
- Prior experience in a database as well as knowledge of CRM database required; Tessitura preferred.
- Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- Up to 12 Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
- 401(k)
- Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Tickets
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.
