The Illinois Policy Institute seeks a Vice President of External Relations/Business Development to lead the development efforts for an award-winning, cutting-edge effort to promote personal freedom and prosperity in Illinois and America.
The Institute’s outgoing Vice President of External Relations, who built the development shop from the ground up, is leaving to attend business school. However, he will remain at the Institute to provide guidance and support while a new person transitions into the role.
The ideal candidate for this role will be naturally personable, exceedingly self-motivated, organized, professional and passionate about advancing liberty. The ideal candidate will also posses a healthy sense of humor.
The position will include travel, primarily across Illinois but some nationally as well. The Vice President of External Relations reports to the CEO.
Responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the Vice President of External Relations include:
- Fundraising: The Vice President of External Relations is responsible for achieving the Institute’s and its allied entities’ annual fundraising goals through the management of the external relations department, managing and cultivating major donor relationships, writing and reviewing grant proposals and executing asks. Duties include individual, foundation, corporate, direct mail and event-related fundraising activities, as well as the administrative activities necessary to support these responsibilities.
- Staff Supervision: The Vice President of External Relations is responsible for the supervision of the external relations staff, presently including three members with another staff position to be added in 2012. These responsibilities include overseeing work, setting goals, providing training, giving performance reviews and hiring.
- Planning: The Vice President of External Relations will develop the annual fundraising plan in conjunction with the CEO.
- Finance: The Vice President of External Relations will be responsible for the budget of external relations department, and will work closely with Institute staff members in the planning and oversight of the organization’s annual budget and audit.
- Strategic planning and execution: The Vice President of External Relations will contribute to developing a strategic plan for the Institute and will ensure that all external relations activities are aligned with the plan. The Vice President of External Relations will report at the Board of Directors meetings on fundraising progress and outlook.
- Public relations: The Vice President of External Relations will occasionally supplement other staff with public speaking responsibilities in Chicago and elsewhere when logical and reasonable.
- Writing: The Vice President of External Relations will occasionally write about topics related to his/her expertise in order to further the Institute’s mission.
Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:
- 5-plus years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with a track record of success
- Knowledge of free market donors and national network a major plus
- Superb story-telling, communication and debate skills
- Desire to work collaboratively with Illinois Policy Institute staff and allies
- Experience managing teams preferable
- Strong project management skills and ability to organize, multi-task, set priorities and follow through
- Strong commitment to the principles of personal responsibility and free enterprise
- Ability to travel regularly, including nationally on occasion
- Personable, self-motivated and professional with a healthy sense of humor
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials:
- Résumé
- Cover letter detailing: a) salary requirements, and b) your interest in the mission of the Illinois Policy Institute
Materials should be emailed to Claire Kittle, Executive Director of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: claire@talentmarket.org.
About the Illinois Policy Institute
The Illinois Policy Institute’s vision is to make Illinois first in economic outlook and job creation and to become a free enterprise leader for the rest of America. The Institute inspires changes in hearts, minds and laws through its mission to promote personal freedom and prosperity in Illinois and America. As a leading independent research and education organization, it generates positive and sustainable policy solutions for citizens and lawmakers that help unleash talent and entrepreneurial ability.
