Strategic Director, Development & External Relations

Rush University Medical Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Equal Hope, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on health equity, seeks a Director of Development & External Relations to lead fundraising strategy and revenue growth. You will oversee grants, individual giving, corporate partnerships, and institutional funding, while guiding a development team and ensuring data-informed decisions.

You’ll drive donor communications, events, and CRM analytics to deepen engagement and diversify the funding portfolio in healthcare philanthropy.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; in nonprofit management, public health, public administration, business, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive nonprofit development leadership experience.
• Experience designing and executing comprehensive development strategies across grants, gifts, corporate partnerships, and events.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit philanthropy and fundraising best practices.
• Direct healthcare/philanthropy experience and ability to work with hospital systems and health foundations.
• Excellent grant writing and donor communications skills.
• High CRM and technology fluency; data-driven decision maker.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead a multi-year development strategy and annual fundraising plan.
• Oversee and integrate grants, individual giving, corporate philanthropy, and institutional partnerships.
• Mentor and manage development staff and ensure cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee donor communications, branding, and fundraising events.
• Own CRM usage, dashboards, and reporting for leadership and the Board.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Healthcare philanthropy

Grant writing

CRM data analytics

Leadership

Donor relations

Education

Master’s degree in nonprofit management / public health / public administration / business

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Equal Hope, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on health equity, seeks a Director of Development & External Relations to lead fundraising strategy and revenue growth. You will oversee grants, individual giving, corporate partnerships, and institutional funding, while guiding a development team and ensuring data-informed decisions.

You’ll drive donor communications, events, and CRM analytics to deepen engagement and diversify the funding portfolio in healthcare philanthropy.