[German International School Chicago] Development & Communications Manager

German American Chambers of Commerce; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The German International School Chicago (GISC) is seeking a hands-on Development & Communications Manager to strengthen fundraising, expand community engagement, and tell our school's story. This role blends strategic planning with day-to-day execution, offering ownership, creativity, and opportunities to impact fundraising programs, donor relations, and communications across channels.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in development or communications, strong writing, and bilingual English-German

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication in English and German; bilingual English-German preferred.
• Two or more years of experience in development, fundraising, communications, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills for diverse audiences.
• Experience developing content strategies and managing digital communications across multiple channels.
• Highly organized, self-driven team player who can work independently.
• Strong donor stewardship and relationship-building skills.
• Attention to detail and consistent messaging, branding.
• Proficiency with donor databases/CRM (preferably Blackbaud), social media management, Google Workspace, and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements annual fundraising plans (Annual Fund, grants, sponsorships, major gifts, and events).
• Plans and executes fundraising programs including Gala, donor cultivation, and special events.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors, alumni, parents, foundations, corporate partners, and community organizations.
• Leads donor stewardship, including acknowledgement, recognition, reporting, and personalized engagement.
• Develops communications content across print, digital, email, website, and donor channels to support fundraising, enrollment, and community engagement goals.
• Identifies grant opportunities and prepares compelling proposals and reports.
• Maintains donor and prospect records and tracks fundraising performance in the database.
• Collaborates with Marketing, Communications, Admissions, Enrollment, Faculty & Staff, and Board committees to unify messaging and grow engagement.
• Provides regular reports and strategic recommendations to the Head of Administration, Head of School, and Board on development strategy and performance.
• Supports school-wide events, community activities, and volunteer engagement; manages development budget.

Skills

Verbal & written English/German comms

Bilingual English-German

Fundraising & development

Storytelling

Content strategy & multi-channel comms

Organized & independent

Donor stewardship

Attention to detail

CRM (Blackbaud)

Social media management

Google Workspace

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Social media management

Google Workspace

MS Office

Job description

[German International School Chicago] Development & Communications Manager

• Chicago, IL
• Full-Time
• Opportunities at external client companies
• [German International School Chicago] Development & Communications Manager

Role Overview:
GISC is seeking a hands-on Development & Communications Manager to strengthen fundraising initiatives, expand community engagement, and tell the stories that make our school unique. This position combines strategic thinking with day-to-day execution and offers meaningful opportunities for ownership, creativity, and professional growth.
Essential Job Functions:

• Develops and implements annual fundraising plans, including Annual Fund, grants, sponsorships, major gifts, and special events.
• Plans and executes GISC’s fundraising program, including Annual Fund, Gala, sponsorships, donor cultivation activities, and special events.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors, alumni, parents, foundations, corporate partners, community organizations, and DACH partners.
• Leads donor stewardship efforts, including acknowledgement, recognition, reporting, and personalized engagement.
• Develops and produces compelling communications content across print, digital, email, website, and donor communications channels to tell GISC's story and support fundraising, enrollment, and community engagement goals.
• Identifies and pursues grant opportunities and prepares compelling proposals and reports.
• Maintains accurate donor and prospect records and tracks fundraising performance using GISC’s database.
• Collaborates with Marketing, Communications, Admissions, Enrollment, Faculty & Staff, members of the Board of Trustees including its Development Committee, the GISC Parent Group (GPG), and volunteers to unify messaging, enhance community engagement and grow the school.
• Collaborates with the Director of Marketing & Communications to ensure consistent school-wide messaging, branding, and communications, while developing storytelling and content that highlights GISC’s programs, achievements, fundraising efforts, enrollment initiatives, and community engagement.
• Provides regular reports and strategic recommendations to the Head of Administration, Head of School, and Board of Trustees on development strategy and performance, including fundraising performance, donor engagement, alumni relations, and community partnerships.
• Supports and participates in school-wide events, community activities, and volunteer engagement efforts.
• Manages and monitors GISC’s development budget.
• Ensures compliance with legal, ethical, and organizational fundraising standards and practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Specific Qualifications/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of degree or experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and German (bilingual German-English preferred).
• Two or more years of experience in development, fundraising, communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or a related field. Experience in both fundraising and strategic communications preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to develop compelling content for diverse audiences.
• Experience developing content strategies, managing digital communications, and creating communications plans across multiple channels, including web, email, social media, and print.
• Highly organized, self-driven team player who also works well independently.
• Excellent work ethic with proven ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, multi-task, and carefully proof their own work.
• Strong relationship-building and donor stewardship skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of constituents.
• Attention to detail and a strong appreciation for consistent messaging, design, and branding.
• Proficiency with donor databases/CRM systems (preferably Blackbaud), social media management, Google Workspace, and MS Office applications.

Compensation: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

About GISC:

Our Mission

The German International School Chicago (GISC) is an IB World School that prepares students to become well-rounded, creative, and responsible global citizens. We provide students with a rigorous German-English bilingual education in a supportive and individualized learning environment. GISC graduates will be prepared academically and socially to succeed in an increasingly global world.

Core Values

At the German International School Chicago, our motto is 'Give Your Child the World,' and we believe our unique education will provide your child with the tools to thrive in any environment around the world. Our focus as a school is represented by four distinct values, each one contributing to the success of our students throughout their lives.

Bilingual Advantage
Students at GISC are both linguistically fluent and culturally fluent. As a bilingual, international school, we encourage our young learners to engage meaningfully with a wide variety of cultures across Europe and throughout the world.
International Education
GISC's unique education is rooted in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. We foster a strong sense of agency in our students and provide them with a deep understanding of the world around them. Our students have the skills to engage successfully with a wide variety of academic and social environments in the US, in German-speaking countries, and beyond.
Global Opportunity
At GISC, we believe that global citizenship extends beyond knowledge of other lands and peoples. Our faculty helps our student body to use their intercultural competence as the foundation for increased compassion. GISC students will leave our school with the skills to succeed and thrive anywhere in the world.
School Community
Both schoolwide and in each grade level, GISC fosters a strong sense of community. We believe that a supportive, nurturing community is the key to a learning environment in which each student knows they belong and matter.

Working at the German International School Chicago

Are you interested in working at a one-of-a-kind, dynamic bilingual IB World School in Chicago's beautiful Ravenswood neighborhood?
Our staff is just as international as our student body, and we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative community. Every employee at GISC is encouraged to grow through professional development and peer learning opportunities. If you are a dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented professional, we invite you to apply today!