The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight — and influences the public discourse — on critical global issues. Over the past three years, the Council has embarked on an ambitious path of growth and expansion, increasing its overall staff and revenues by 50 percent. Major new initiatives include launching the Chicago Forum on Global Cities in 2015, a high-level, multi-faceted three-day international forum cohosted with the Financial Times and convened annually in Chicago; extending the breadth of Council programming; expanding research into new areas and attracting a growing cadre of resident and non-resident fellows; creating a major new communications effort focused on expanding the digital reach of the Council’s content to a large local, national, and international audience; and revamping the Council’s work in developing future global leaders. Earlier this year, the Council moved into its new headquarters in Chicago’s Prudential Building, which includes a conference center that can accommodate up to 300 guests as well as state-of-the-art studios for creative, digital programming.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The next phase of the Council’s expansion will include the growth of its research and studies efforts, which to date have focused on a highly regarded annual survey of American public opinion, global food security and agriculture developments, the role of global cities, the global economy and international trade, immigration policy, and global security challenges. To help drive this effort, the Council is looking for an experienced Director, Foundation Relations to engage philanthropic foundations in securing support for its research and studies on global affairs. Specifically, the Director, Foundation Relations is charged with developing and implementing a well-coordinated strategic plan for cultivating, soliciting, and securing support from institutional and family foundations in the US and abroad. The goal of this plan will be secure a two- to three-fold increase in foundation funding for Council research over the next five years.

Specific responsibilities of the Director include:
Leading the creation and execution of the Council’s foundation fundraising strategy, including identification, cultivation, and successful solicitation of foundation donors to meet and exceed the annual foundation fundraising target;
Managing a multi-million dollar yearly grant portfolio including eight-figure, multiyear grants, and devising, implementing, and participating in strategic donor outreach, including briefings, calls, and donor meetings with leadership and relevant Council staff;
Independently drafting letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and reports for submission
Working closely with all relevant stakeholders across the Council around emerging institutional projects and priorities;
Actively monitoring grant reporting deadlines and requirements, and ensuring reporting requirements are met on a timely basis, fully compliant with foundations’ reporting standards;
Maintaining accurate records in master database and in hardcopy, including application guidelines, grant proposals/applications, signed contracts, and other items related to securing and reporting on each grant.

CANDIDATE PROFILE
The Director will be a strategic and innovative thinker and be highly organized, having the character and confidence to work comfortably and effectively with a range of foundations and other donors, locally, nationally, and globally. S/he will excel at creating strategies for successfully expanding the Council’s foundation fundraising and executing all related activities, including drafting, budgeting, and reporting. The Director will be skilled at building and sustaining relationships at multiple levels with varied fundraising streams, articulating the Council’s work with precision and understanding across all levels.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
10 years of experience at think tank or nonprofit organization working in the international arena with progressive responsibility in institutional fundraising with foundations
A knowledge of, and passionate interest in, global affairs and the possession of an advanced degree with a focus on international affairs, foreign policy, international business, or other related field are required
Proven record in foundation development, including direct interaction with high level foundation officials, and a successful track record of developing and maintaining lasting relationships with donors and prospects
Demonstrated success in developing and securing complex, seven-figure, multiyear grant proposals preferred
Experience in securing grants from global foundations (based outside the US) is preferred
Expertise in internet research, specifically gathering and analyzing foundation grant programs, areas of concentration, and grant guidelines/requirements
Proven capacity for strategic thinking
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information, exercise discretion, and use sound judgment
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
Self-motivated, disciplined and highly organized
Must perform well under pressure and be able to complete multiple projects concurrently
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
Strong background working with donor databases; experience with Salesforce desirable; proficiency required in the use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

TO APPLY
Please email a cover letter and résumé as Word documents to hr@thechicagocouncil.org. You can also apply via the Council’s website at www.thechicagocouncil.org in the Career Opportunities section. EOE