Chief Development Officer

Please click here to see our full Position Profile.

Role Summary

The Chief Development Officer role will be the strategic architect of the school’s fundraising pillar, which is vital to operations. As the school embarks upon a new vision for its future and strategic plan, this presents a rare and exceptional opportunity to transform fundraising at a key stage in the school’s lifecycle. This role will serve as a catalyst for innovation and be responsible for re-envisioning and reshaping how Old Town School engages with donors, inspires giving and builds new and enduring relationships.

Fundraising currently represents 22% of the school’s revenue at approximately $3.5M annually. In addition to the CDO, the Development team is composed of a Director of Major Gifts, Institutional Giving Manager, Development Manager, and a Development Operations Associate.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The following describes the key responsibilities of the person assigned to this position. This list is not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities.

Leadership and Management

• Lead with a sophisticated understanding of the school: its mission, culture, policies, values, history, key stakeholders, programs, and finances.
• Foster an inclusive, supportive environment that promotes open communication and collaboration.
• Ensure strategic management of all fundraising activities.
• Model effective strategy, approaches, and techniques, as well as transparency and collaboration.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations on fundraising activities for the CEO, Board of Directors and senior management team.
• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the school’s mission and programs in the funding community.
• Spearhead initiatives that streamline operational processes and reach new audiences and potential donors.
• Ensure that efficient processes and data-informed decision-making guide the work of the Development department.
• Oversee preparation and administration of departmental budget.
• Ensure the school is employing best philanthropic practices.
• Evaluate current Development department staffing needs and oversee recruitment, retention, training, management, mentoring, professional development, and evaluation of an efficient and highly professional team.
• Support the existing team with training and professional development, and ensure collegiality and common vision within the department.
• Utilize appropriate metrics on a team and individual basis to ensure accountability and results.

Planning

In partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors:

• Establish a strategic vision and operational plan for the school’s fundraising strategy and initiatives.
• Develop and implement plans for fundraising in alignment with school priorities, setting measurable goals and objectives for annually increasing and diversifying income sources and cultivating new donors.
• Identify and refine fundraising priorities.
• Identify and recruit new Board members, educate members about their role in advancing a culture of philanthropy, cultivate and solicit financial support, and leverage networks to expand the donor base.

Fundraising and External Relations

• Increase and diversify the school’s support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources.
• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, including individual and institutional sources.
• Identify and cultivate new major gift prospects.
• Lead and oversee donor cultivation and solicitation opportunities that involve the CEO and the Board of Directors.
• Ensure effective, ongoing, and productive communication with current and prospective donors.
• Ensure ongoing prospect discovery and engagement at all levels of giving.
• Maintain current knowledge of important developments across regional and national funding environments.
• Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising events.
• Collaborate with the Marketing department to ensure integrated, consistent, and effective marketing and communications in support of fundraising or stewardship initiatives.
• Strategically leverage a variety of communication channels and platforms to support fundraising goals.

To be considered for this role, please apply through our Career Center.

About Old Town School of Folk Music

Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music (“OTSFM”) is the largest community school of the arts in the U.S. and a non-profit organization committed to celebrating American music and global cultures. Founded in 1957, Old Town School provides a wide range of music, dance, and arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 weekly class offerings, a broad array of private lessons, and over 400 concerts and community events per year.

Old Town School of Folk Music opened its Lincoln Square facility in 1998 and expanded in 2012. The Old Town School operates two campuses located in Chicago's Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park neighborhoods that include world-class concert halls, classrooms, an award-winning music store, and a music resource center. Online classes were introduced in 2020 and students from nearly every state and a dozen countries participated over the course of the pandemic. Children's classes are also held at several suburban satellite locations. More information is available at oldtownschool.org

Equal Employment Opportunity

OTSFM is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. OTS strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This is critical to our success as a community focused organization.