Director of Development

About the Organization
At the South Side Healthy Community Organization (SSHCO), we believe in transforming health and scaling new models of care to build a stronger, more vibrant, and empowered community. We are a key partner in a collaborative of 13 healthcare organizations on Chicago's South Side, all united by a single mission: to improve the health and well-being of our community.

If you are guided by our core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Communication, Accountability, and Respect, we invite you to join us. We are looking for individuals who want to be part of a movement that prioritizes community needs and ensures a healthier future for all.

SSHCO provides a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to promote a well-balanced lifestyle for our employees, including medical/dental/vision insurances, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and tuition benefits. These benefits are designed to be affordable and competitive, helping you with your well-being, financial security, and career advancement.

Req Number
DEV-25-00001

Category
Development

Position
Director of Development

Open Date
11/24/2025

Exempt/Non-Exempt
Exempt

Pay Range
125K-135K

Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time

Work Modality
Hybrid (2-3 days in office) aligned with administration roles

Shift
-not applicable-

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Development is a foundational, hands-on leadership role responsible for creating, executing, and managing SSHCO's comprehensive fundraising strategy. Reporting to the CEO, this key leadership role drives financial sustainability by focusing on philanthropy (individual, corporate, major), grant acquisition, and building the necessary organizational infrastructure for scalable fundraising success, beginning with the selection and implementation of a new CRM database. This role requires a strategic builder, a skilled relationship manager, and a highly effective tactical executor.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Strategic Leadership & Major Fundraising

Develop, own, and execute a comprehensive annual development plan and budget aligned with SSHCO's strategic and financial goals.

Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, leading all aspects of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to secure major gifts (five-figure and higher) from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Collaborate closely with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure organizational alignment, resource allocation for programs, and unified external messaging to donors and funders.

Work directly with the CEO, Executive Leadership, Community Advisory Council, and Board of Directors to engage them in fundraising activities, including identifying, briefing, and supporting their outreach efforts to major prospects.

Coordinate fundraising campaigns and events, including annual appeals, online giving campaigns, and special stewardship events.

Conduct ongoing analysis of fundraising performance, market trends, and donor behavior to inform strategic decision-making and ensure the sustainability model is met.

Development Operations & Infrastructure

Research, recommend, implement, and maintain a best-in-class donor relationship management (CRM) system to support all fundraising efforts.

Design and implement policies and procedures for gift processing, acknowledgement, data entry, and financial reconciliation, ensuring the integrity and security of donor information.

Create and manage all systems for donor prospecting, research, and moves management.

Serve as liaison with the Marketing and Communications team to develop compelling case statements, annual appeal materials, donor stories, and consistent messaging across all external platforms.

Manage the development budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources.

Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate revenue tracking and reporting.

Grant Acquisition and Management:

Serve as the lead grant writer and manager for the organization.

Proactively research and identify new foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities aligned with programmatic priorities.

Coordinate with the Data and Analytics team to gather, interpret, and integrate program data, metrics, and outcomes necessary for compelling grant narratives and required reporting.

Develop, write, and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and required interim and final reports.

Manage the entire grant cycle, including tracking deadlines, compliance requirements, and ensuring programmatic teams provide necessary documentation for reporting.

STATEMENT OF OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

N/A

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Local travel required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This role is hybrid, based in the SSHCO administrative office. Local travel is required for meetings, donor cultivation, and community representation. Occasional weekend or evening work may be required for donor and stewardship events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree required.

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or institutional advancement, with demonstrated success in securing four-to-six-figure gifts and institutional grants.

Experience with fundraising campaigns of at least $30 million.

Proven, hands-on experience in implementing, migrating, or managing fundraising CRM/database (e.g., Salesforce NPSP, Raiser's Edge, or similar platform).

Demonstrated excellence in persuasive writing, with a strong portfolio of successful grant applications to diverse funding entities.

Exceptional written, verbal, and public presentation skills.

High level of proficiency with database management, Microsoft Office Suite, and donor research tools.

Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable operating independently and managing multiple priorities simultaneously with minimal oversight.

Demonstrated commitment to living SSHCO's mission, vision, and values in daily work and leadership.

Knowledge of public health issues, community development, and social determinants of health is a plus.

EOE Statement
SSHCO is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment. Our hiring and employment practices are based solely on job-related criteria and qualifications, and we strive to ensure that all employees and applicants are treated with respect, fairness, and without bias. We promote an environment where every team member can thrive, contribute their best, and reach their full potential.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or throughout your employment, please contact us at hr@southsidehealthycommunity.org. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure equal access and opportunities for all individuals.

This position is currently accepting applications.

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