Development Manager

La Casa Norte; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

La Casa Norte in Chicago seeks a Development Manager to lead communications, institutional giving, donor engagement, and select fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, you will develop and implement fundraising strategies, manage a portfolio of donors, and oversee key projects and events to advance the organization’s mission.

The role requires at least five years of related experience, strong writing and relationship-building skills, and the ability to supervise

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications or nonprofit fundraising.
• Proven track record in securing foundation and corporate grants.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating across departments.
• Strong writing, editing, and project-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Oversee digital communications and fundraising materials.
• Develop grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports.
• Manage portfolio of foundation, corporate, and individual donors.
• Coordinate donor engagement and funder meetings.
• Supervise Development staff and provide coaching.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Grant writing

Donor engagement

Communications planning

Project management

People management

Tools

Raiser’s Edge NXT

MS Office

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Development Manager leads La Casa Norte’s communications, institutional giving, donor engagement, and selected fundraising initiatives. The position develops and implements communications and fundraising strategies, independently manages a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and individual donors, and provides management oversight of key Development projects, campaigns, and events.

The Development Manager directly supervises the Development Associate and helps ensure strong execution, accountability, and coordination across the Development Department.

This is a full-time, exempt position working Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

PRINCIPAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications and Marketing

• Lead La Casa Norte’s internal and external communications strategy, ensuring consistency with organizational priorities and brand standards.


• Oversee digital communications, including social media, website content, email campaigns, newsletters, and other digital platforms.


• Develop content highlighting La Casa Norte’s programs, impact, events, advocacy, partnerships, and accomplishments.


• Write and edit press releases, talking points, presentations, fundraising materials, newsletters, executive communications, and the annual report.


• Manage media relations, identify opportunities for coverage and thought leadership, and prepare organizational leadership for interviews and public appearances.


• Track communications and digital engagement metrics and refine strategies to increase reach and effectiveness.


• Develop and oversee approved AI-assisted tools and workflows to improve the quality, efficiency, and consistency of Development communications and grant writing.

Institutional Giving and Donor Engagement

• Independently manage an assigned portfolio of foundation, corporate, and individual donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.


• Develop grant proposals, letters of inquiry, reports, and other funding requests.


• Research and evaluate prospective funding opportunities and recommend opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.


• Collaborate with Program and Finance staff to develop narratives, outcomes, budgets, and supporting documentation for proposals and reports.


• Manage grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and funder deliverables.


• Coordinate donor and funder meetings, site visits, presentations, and engagement opportunities.


• Ensure accurate donor, grant, and relationship information is maintained in Raiser’s Edge NXT.


• Represent La Casa Norte at funder meetings, community events, conferences, and other external engagements.

Fundraising Events and Campaigns

• Provide management oversight of assigned fundraising events and campaigns, including Gala ¡Esperanza!, the Education Luncheon, Hope for Homes Day, and other initiatives.


• Develop event work plans, timelines, fundraising strategies, and staff assignments in collaboration with the Vice President of Development.


• Oversee sponsorship cultivation, donor outreach, event communications, and post-event stewardship.


• Evaluate event and campaign performance and recommend strategies to strengthen revenue, donor acquisition, and engagement.

Management and Supervision

• Directly supervise the Development Associate and other assigned staff, interns, or temporary employees.


• Assign and direct work, establish priorities and deadlines, and monitor work quality and performance using independent judgment.


• Provide ongoing coaching, training, feedback, and performance management and complete formal performance evaluations.


• Approve schedules and time-off requests and ensure appropriate departmental coverage.


• Address performance or conduct concerns and issue or effectively recommend corrective and disciplinary action in consultation with the Vice President of Development and Human Resources.


• Participate in hiring and make recommendations regarding candidate selection, retention, promotion, discipline, and termination.


• Develop and recommend Development procedures, workflows, performance standards, and operational improvements.


• Participate in departmental planning and budgeting and make recommendations regarding priorities, resources, staffing, vendors, and Development investments.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, institutional fundraising, grant writing, nonprofit development, or related work.


• Previous supervisory or management experience required.


• Demonstrated success securing foundation and corporate grants.


• Strong writing, editing, communications, relationship-building, and project-management skills.


• Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage multiple priorities, and supervise and develop staff.


• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT or a comparable donor database preferred.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.


• Commitment to La Casa Norte’s mission and values.


• Flexibility to occasionally work evenings and weekends.

General Responsibilities

All La Casa Norte employees are expected to participate in staff meetings, trainings, fundraising events, cross-departmental initiatives, and other activities supporting the organization’s mission.

Supervisory and Non-Union Classification Justification:

This position is classified as Non-Union based on the following exemptions under applicable labor law:

• Managerial Exclusion:The Programs Manager has hiring, supervision, evaluation, and discipline authority over multiple staff roles and provides strategic direction in operational planning.


• Supervisory Exclusion: The position includes direct supervision of staff and vendors, assignment of work, and oversight of work quality and performance.


• Confidentiality Exclusion:The Programs Manager has access to sensitive personnel, financial, and vendor information, including emergency preparedness plans and contract negotiations, which require discretion and confidentiality in decision-making.

La Casa Norte is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, pregnancy or related conditions, or disability. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, walk up and down stairs, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.