Strategic Advancement & Engagement Lead

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab; United States; Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago seeks an Advancement Planning & Engagement Specialist to partner with the Chief Advancement Officer and senior leadership, driving strategic projects, budget planning, and monthly forecasting while supporting donor relations and engagement efforts.

This role emphasizes high-level philanthropy work, crafting communications, planning events, and ensuring moves management from prospecting to solicitation, with a hybrid office schedule and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 3–5 years in advancement, fundraising, donor relations, non-profit operations, and/or project management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated discretion, confidentiality, and trust with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the SVP and Advancement leadership to drive division-wide projects, including budget planning, tracking, and monthly forecasting.
• Ensure the team remains aligned with strategic priorities, financial objectives and KPIs.
• Collaborate on trustee, leadership, and volunteer engagement, supporting prospecting, cultivation, and solicitation strategies.
• Draft tailored communications and materials to maximize engagement opportunities.
• Provide support for CEO, C-Suite and SVP/CDO portfolios and high-level prospect engagement.
• Prepare correspondence, meeting summaries, and engagement strategies.
• Assist moves management and advance prospects through the engagement pipeline.
• Generate regular reports to illustrate progress and identify areas for improvement.

Skills

Exceptional writing

Editing

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago seeks an Advancement Planning & Engagement Specialist to partner with the Chief Advancement Officer and senior leadership, driving strategic projects, budget planning, and monthly forecasting while supporting donor relations and engagement efforts.

This role emphasizes high-level philanthropy work, crafting communications, planning events, and ensuring moves management from prospecting to solicitation, with a hybrid office schedule and competitive benefits.