Midlevel Donor Program Leader - Leadership Giving

Chicago Public Media; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Public Media is seeking a Manager of Leadership Giving to lead the day-to-day management and performance of the midlevel program, reporting to the Director of Major and Planned Giving. You will mentor staff, guide donor engagement, and collaborate across the Development team to strengthen pipelines.

This role focuses on expanding donor relationships, monitoring solicitation activity, and ensuring timely stewardship while driving fundraising results in a mission-driven newsroom.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in annual giving, frontline fundraising, development operations, or a related field.
• Knowledge of fundraising strategy and an ability and willingness to implement strategy.
• Goals and results-driven with the ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues. Must be able to consistently display tact, diplomacy, and discretion, and maintain confidentiality inside and outside of the organization.
• Exercises excellent judgment and models honesty, integrity, and collegiality.
• Proficiency with constituent management and fundraising software.
• Demonstrates a personal commitment to excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engagement strategy for CPM’s midlevel program in partnership with the membership team, with an emphasis on identifying major donor prospects.
• Oversee engagement strategy of 700+ midlevel donors in the development pool.
• Coordinate communication calendar with membership team colleagues to ensure cohesive donor journeys.
• Monitor success of CPM’s midlevel program and identify areas of potential improvement in collaboration with the Director of Major and Planned Giving and membership colleagues.
• Supervise and support the Leadership Giving Officer(s), including onboarding, day-to-day management, goal setting, and performance management.
• Conduct regular portfolio and moves management reviews to ensure timely donor engagement, solicitation activity, proposal tracking, and stewardship.
• Set and track on ambitious individual goals for direct report(s), with the aim of advancing donor relationships, upgrading support, and maintaining a high standard across the team.
• Proactively update and track solicitation data and review gift acknowledgments.
• Track plans and outreach in the Development database to ensure transparency and effective pipeline management.
• Participate in the hands‑on, team approach to shaping and executing donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship opportunities. This includes building invitation lists and partnering on donor events, holiday card mailings, etc.
• Actively build knowledge of CPM and relationships with colleagues across the organization by attending events and activities, reading and listening to CPM journalism, and pursuing other avenues for professional learning and growth.

Skills

Annual giving

Frontline fundraising

Development operations

Fundraising strategy

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Judgment and integrity

Fundraising software

Tools

Fundraising software

Job description

Chicago Public Media is seeking a Manager of Leadership Giving to lead the day-to-day management and performance of the midlevel program, reporting to the Director of Major and Planned Giving. You will mentor staff, guide donor engagement, and collaborate across the Development team to strengthen pipelines.

This role focuses on expanding donor relationships, monitoring solicitation activity, and ensuring timely stewardship while driving fundraising results in a mission-driven newsroom.