Job Title: Chief Development Officer

Location: Uptown Academy (931 W. Eastwood, Chicago, IL 60640)

Start date: ASAP

Reports to: President & CEO

Organization OverviewThe People's Music School is Chicago’s oldest and largest completely free nonprofit music school, providing transformational music instruction to over 750 K-12 students in Chicago. The school has a straightforward mission: to provide free, intensive, high-quality music instruction to youth who otherwise would not be able to afford it. We focus our work in communities that have been systematically excluded and marginalized from receiving a high quality music education.

Through intensive instruction and performance, The People's Music School's students grow not only musically, but also socially, emotionally, and academically, developing a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem, resilience, and purpose. From putting an instrument in an aspiring young musician's hand for the first time, to teaching them how to read and write music and perform in an ensemble, The People's Music School provides opportunity and instruction across four Chicago communities: Uptown, Albany Park, Back of the Yards, and the Greater South Side. Students receive an average of four hours of instruction per week, at absolutely no cost, delivered by world-class teaching artists.

President & CEO Miriam Owens was appointed effective December 2022, and the organization is embarking on an exciting new growth plan.

Job Summary

The People’s Music School is seeking a Chief Development Officer to grow fundraised revenue from $2.7M to ~$5M in the coming 5 years. This role will be a critical member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to and working closely with the President & CEO. 

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial and visionary, with proven fundraising leadership experience, particular expertise and network in the Chicago area, and excitement to build our capacity over time. The Chief Development Officer will lead and grow a high-performing, efficient Development function that excels in both individual and institutional fundraising and cultivates a strong external brand for The People’s Music School among the funder community while exemplifying our organization’s core values. S/he/they will lead institutional fundraising, individual fundraising, and marketing and communications. In its current structure, the Chief Development Officer will manage a high-performing team comprising a full-time Institutional Giving Manager, a full-time Marketing, Events, and Communications Manager, and a part-time Development Administration Associate.

Scope/Responsibilities

• Work with President & CEO and Development team to meet current fiscal year fundraising goal of $3M (FY Sept 2022-Aug 2023, currently on track)
• Shape fundraising strategic growth plan for the coming 5 years for 10-15% YoY growth
• Build a strong, efficient Development function and team, serving as primary steward of Development processes, including norms and procedures and use of Salesforce CRM, in collaboration with Director of Finance & Administration (also reporting to President & CEO)
• Working with Institutional Giving Manager, steward and grow relationships with both local and national institutional funders, focusing on growing multi-year revenue
• Working with President & CEO, steward and grow relationships with major individual donors
• Working with Marketing, Events, and Communications Manager, manage broad based donor outreach, including fundraising/stewardship events like our annual Big Night gala, and annual campaigns
• Working with Marketing, Events, and Communications Manager, build the public profile and brand of The People’s Music School
• Steward and grow The People’s Music School’s Associate Board to achieve higher engagement and stronger fundraising and PR impact
• Assist President & CEO in stewardship of members of the Board of Directors

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university
• Desire to work in a results-oriented environment while demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness when faced with dynamic priorities and needs
• At least 5 years of fundraising experience preferred, with at least two years of experience managing others in a team environment, and ideally experience managing both institutional giving and individual giving
• Analytical management skills, with demonstrated data-driven decision-making experience, and willingness to learn and leverage our Salesforce CRM system
• Entrepreneurial, ownership mindset, with an ability to manage in all directions, including upward management and partnership
• Ability to motivate and inspire a high performing team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including active listening
• Excellent relationship building skills
• Ability to work outside standard hours to attend fundraising events and other meetings, when necessary
• Belief in our transformative mission is a must
• Demonstrate a commitment to TPMS corevalues
• Strong Chicago-based fundraising network a plus

Are you intrigued by this job but don’t meet every single requirement? Please apply anyway! Research shows that women, people of color, and people from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs when that’s the case. The People’s Music School is committed to an inclusive and authentic workplace, supporting colleagues with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Compensation/Benefits

• Salary: $110,000-$125,000
• Full time employees at TPMS receive generous paid time off and a competitive benefits package

The People’s Music School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, physical or mental disability or any other protected status in admission or access to, or employment in its programs and activities.

For more information about The People’s Music School, please visit: www.peoplesmusicschool.org.

The People’s Music School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, physical or mental disability or any other protected status in admission or access to, or employment in its programs and activities.