Director, Community Engagement - Upper Mid-West (Chicago, IL)

Autism Speaks; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex work hours

Weekly training sessions

Tuition reimbursement

Summer bonus Fridays

Job summary

Autism Speaks is seeking a Director of Community Engagement to lead fundraising and special events in Chicago and the Greater Chicagoland area. The role focuses on events like the Chicago Chip In Casino Night Gala, growing the portfolio, and managing key corporate and major gift relationships.

You will engage community partners, recruit volunteers, and drive sponsorships while representing Autism Speaks as a front-line fundraiser and ambassador in a flexible, compassionate environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years demonstrated success in fundraising.
• 5 years leading special events.
• Leadership with recruitment and management of volunteer committees.
• Proven track record of relationship building and networking for fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Achieve revenue goals for assigned fundraising events.
• Execute events in partnership with volunteer leadership and committees.
• Secure sponsorships and manage accounts year-round.
• Integrate digital fundraising initiatives and campaigns.

Skills

Fundraising

Volunteer management

Event Planning

Relationship building

Networking

Budget management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Stratus Live

Blackbaud Luminate

MS Office 365 (Excel, Outlook)

Job description

Director, Community Engagement - Upper Mid-West (Chicago, IL)

We are hiring a Director of Community Engagement in our Upper Midwest Area! This position has a primary focus on special events in the Greater Chicagoland area. The Director will be responsible for leading our Chicago Chip In Casino Night Gala and growing our special events portfolio, as well as managing key corporate, major gift and 3 rd party relationships and activities.

This position is a front-line fundraiser and ambassador for Autism Speaks and will speak knowledgeably and persuasively about the mission of the organization and the variety of ways to engage.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for the autism community and the mission of autism speaks and will thrive in a flexible environment with a kind and compassionate culture. At Autism Speaks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to being a trusted and caring resource for our community and constituents from the time of diagnosis through adult life.

PURPOSE: Raise funds for Autism Speaks by recruiting and managing volunteers, soliciting corporate sponsorships, raising awareness, and implementing fundraising and mission-related events to achieve revenue goals.

• Achieve the revenue goals for assigned fundraising events
• Execute fundraising events in partnership with volunteer leadership, specifically managing committee recruitment and retention
• Achieve the assigned fundraising goals by implementing strategies including sponsorship and committee recruitment and retention, and mission integration.
• Support the local implementation of global campaigns of Autism Speaks, sometimes in collaboration with the area’s Outreach Director.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of assigned events, including logistics, data entry, acknowledgements and materials management.
• Manage and provide administrative support to volunteer committees
• Make presentations to businesses, organizations and community groups to secure sponsorship, recruit teams and committee volunteers and manage accounts on a year-round basis
• Integrate digital marketing initiatives, such as email campaigns, fundraising websites, as well as other forms of digital outreach

(The responsibilities listed above are representative and not all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor/s. As outlined in your performance goal setting forms, you will be responsible for achieving the goals provided by and agreed upon with your manager.)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Experience:

• 7+ years demonstrated success in fundraising position.
• 5 years of leading special events
• The followingqualifications are preferred, and open to considering candidates that are a good fit for the position. Leadership with recruitment and management of volunteer committees, relationship building, networking, budget management, and volunteer mobilization. Proven track record of multi-functional, fundraising experience (special events, multiple walk events, corporate campaigns).

Specialized Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Adaptable
• Intermediate proficiency with MS Office 365, including Excel and Outlook
• Database knowledge (Stratus Live and Blackbaud Luminate preferred)
• Well‑organized and detail‑oriented
• High energy, enthusiastic, professional, diplomatic, and possessing a positive, can‑do attitude

Physical & Work Environment Requirements:

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed to support programs and events.
• This role includes travel primarily related to events, which at times can involve overnight stays; occasional travel for team meetings and conferences may also occur.
• Event days include setting up and moving materials as well as being actively engaged on‑site for prolonged periods
• Regular use of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Must have reliable mode of transportation (automobile, valid driver’s license, and insurance is required)

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Professional Behavior
• Results Driven
• Customer Orientation
• Flexibility

You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information.

Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodations will be provided. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

About Autism Speaks: At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Together with our broad and diverse community, we strive every day to achieve our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. This mission and vision drive every member of our staff; our employees are inspired, energized and motivated by the impact we can collectively have on behalf of the autism community.

Autism Speaks celebrates every success achieved to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism, and we work collaboratively across departments to find solutions that will do the most good for the most people.

Just as we strive to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow for people on the spectrum, we also aim to enhance the lives of our dedicated employees, through thick and thin.

Salary & Benefits:

Autism Speaks offers a competitive compensation, benefit and vacation package. We also provide flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement and summer bonus Fridays in addition to a creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment.

Autism Speaks is an employer that participates in E-Verify

Salary range is $75,500-$82,000, depending on candidate’s relevant years of experience.