About:
Founded in 1924, Shedd Aquarium is the top‐attended paid cultural institution in Chicago and one of the most‐attended aquariums in the United States. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal care and welfare, conservation research, and public education, Shedd is known today as “The World’s Aquarium.” As Shedd approaches its 100th birthday, the organization has launched its Centennial Commitment. This ambitious plan prepares the Aquarium for its next 100 years by accelerating access and connection to nature for all and amplifying ways to care and conserve to ensure an equitable, sustainable, and thriving future for people and aquatic life. This bold vision is energizing the entire Shedd community and is a transformational investment in Chicago communities and aquatic ecosystems around the world.

Summary:
Shedd Aquarium is seeking a full time Manager, Individual Giving and Leadership Councils to join its Development Department and help advance the culture of philanthropy in support of our Centennial Commitment.

In partnership with the Director of Major & Principal Gifts, the Manager will advance acquisition, retention, and revenue growth across our membership and individual giving program. They are a key part of the Development team, leading the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of 4- and 5-figure donors, volunteers and prospects, sourced from internal (e.g. Shedd members) and external (e.g. philanthropic network of Shedd volunteers) sources.

As a motivated, innovative, and organized fundraiser, the Manager works entrepreneurially to help strengthen overall fundraising efforts during a period of rapid growth. A successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, results-oriented relationship builder who thrives on fast-paced teams and demonstrates work ethic and high-caliber persuasive communication skills. The Manager also has the ability to manage various efforts at once, while maintaining a clear view of how those effort supports Shedd’s mission and advance the Centennial Commitment campaign.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Individual Giving

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd's vision, mission, and values.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and thoughtfully steward a portfolio of approximately 150 donors, volunteers and prospects capable of making leading annual financial commitments of 4-figures, 5-figures or more.
• Plan and execute a minimum of 150 visits per year with donor and prospects, including a significant focus on discovery and qualification.
• Work closely with members of the Prospect Research, Development Services and Membership teams to ensure consistent flow of prospects up and down the pipeline.
• Collaborate with internal Shedd colleagues to implement unique donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities and communications to keep donors involved and informed of ongoing Shedd projects, developments and advancement.
• Maintain timely contact records in the database and analysis of donors managed. Deliver timely and effective follow-up to prospects and donors.

Volunteer Engagement

• In collaboration with the Manager, Special Events & Stewardship, support Shedd’s President’s Council, Auxiliary Board and signature events committee volunteers as a philanthropic advisor helping volunteers to:
  • Make their own philanthropic commitment to advance Shedd’s Centennial Commitment
  • Bring new philanthropic networks to Shedd in support of both volunteer fundraising goals and building the pipeline of future supporters for Shedd Aquarium.
• Working closely with colleagues in Development Services and Director of Major & Principal Gifts, develop and execute cohesive and long-term fundraising strategies that best utilize Auxiliary Board and President’s Council volunteers to secure gifts from their personal networks.
• Partner with volunteers to produce effective annual giving solicitations that result in significant participation, dollars raised and personal networks activated.
• Prepare fundraising correspondence for volunteers in the form of direct appeals, fundraising training materials, and other resources to assist with solicitation efforts.
• Actively recruit volunteers and qualify through the lens of time, mission-affinity, philanthropic-capacity of individual and network.
• Participate in the training and onboarding of new volunteers in collaboration with the Manager, Special Events & Stewardship.
• Participate in coordination and execution of appropriate volunteer and donor cultivation events, including small group engagement and marquee fundraisers (Gala, Immersion, Member Open House). This will require occasional evening and weekend availability.
• Other duties as assigned in support of other areas of development when needed.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: 
Minimum of a Bachelors' degree required

Experience:
A minimum of 3 - 4 years of progressive, professional experience in development, alumni relations, or similar professional work experience. Experience managing and moving a portfolio of donors and working with volunteers preferred. Quantifiable success in delivering personal solicitations required.

Skills and Personal Qualities: 

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Able to communicate clearly, succinctly, and persuasively with consideration to various audiences.
• Intelligent, articulate, detail- oriented, results-oriented, and highly organized self-starter who maintains high standards for their own work and works creatively within a group.
• Must be able to work effectively with the Aquarium's diverse constituencies.
• An awareness of and interest in conservation, especially of aquatic environments and animals.
• Advanced experience with fundraising/CRM software required. Tessitura experience preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) skills are highly desirable.

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. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).