The Organization
The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10–12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry.
Position Overview
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the Direction of the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Annual Giving will be responsible for leading a multifaceted annual giving program.
This position will be responsible for developing and sustaining a robust annual giving program centered on unrestricted and restricted gifts of support from Alumni, Parents, Current Students, Friends, Faculty, and Staff.
This position will support IMSA’s Diversity Stance by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive constituent-centered support while promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives collaborating at IMSA to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Annual Giving
Evaluate, implement, and direct the IMSA Fund’s annual giving program, including identifying and soliciting lapsed and current donors (some directly and others through volunteers), soliciting new prospects, retaining and cultivating higher levels of engagement with current donors, to increase their giving participation rates andoverall fundraising.
Collaborate with Executive Director, Fund Board and others on the strategy to identify and facilitate the cultivation/solicitation of major annual gift prospects.
Design and execute informational, solicitation and recognition materials, hard copy and online, for the IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education.
Manage direct mail and telemarketing program and interface with direct mail and telemarketing vendor. Develop in house annual giving or email campaigns. Analyzes direct mail and phonathon campaign and make recommendations about future mailings and calls based on results from the analysis.
Collaborate with IMSA administration, faculty, and staff leaders to identify initiatives of interest to IMSA, donors, and sponsors.
Evaluate resource development strategies and opportunities, keeping abreast of current trends, and offer, develop and lead new ideas to achieve goals.
Partner with IMSA Alumni Association-sponsored activities and Parents Association Council to ensure activities are planned and leveraged in ways that capture data and information needed for current and future development activities.
Manage annual budget for annual giving.
Manage, research, expand, and provide support for department technology including online donor engagement research and software, such as IMSA Fund website, EverTrue, RE NXT Online Express (donations), MailChimp, alumni and IMSA Fund Facebook and LinkedIn. Collaborate with the Office of Public Affairs on redevelopment/development of IMSA website and IMSA Fund marketing materials.
Cultivate a portfolio of 5 -10 major gift prospects among closest constituencies, including solicitation of these prospects
Staff and Volunteer Planning
Grow the number of fundraising volunteers; recruit, train, direct, supervise, and staff these volunteers.
Partner with IMSA staff to identify alumni for existing opportunities and create new volunteers activities.
Analyze and track volunteers academy-wide .
Oversee regional Alumni and assist with their event planning and Alumni engagement in their respective city.
Recognition and Stewardship
Design, develop, and direct the implementation of a comprehensive donor recognition program, to thank and recognize annual giving donors, lifetime major giving donors, and sponsors.
Engage closest constituents – alumni, students, parents, staff members, board members, friends, – to recognize, thank, and involve private sector donors, and sponsors.
Other
Manage assigned Development team members.
Serve as a contributing member of the Development team and larger IMSA community.
Contribute to the overall success of the Illinois Math and Science Academy’s strategic plan.
Ability to work irregular schedules, including periodic evening and/or weekend hours.
Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree with five (5) years of professional experience in development or other relationship-oriented field required or an equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of Master’s degree.
Experience using Raiser’s Edge (RE). Certification in RE is preferred.
Annual campaign management experience including planning, recruiting and managing volunteer leadership, staff and the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts on an annual basis
Three (3) years’ experience managing staff
Demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of staff, volunteers and the public including governing boards, volunteer leadership and committees
Strong commitment to the values and purposes of IMSA.
Strong understanding of IMSA’s closest constituencies, their motivations and needs
Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to establish, build, and sustain strong relationships
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to be creative, innovative, flexible, and decisive
Excellent project and event management skills, including keen attention to detail
Experience in recruiting, organizing and managing volunteers
Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals and diverse populations
Ability to use good judgment and discretion with confidential information
Ability to work independently, resolve issues, seek help when needed, and work on concurrent projects.
Must possess a valid drivers license.
Ability to work irregular schedules, including periodic evening and/or weekend hours.
Ability to travel as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The preferred qualifications for this position include:
Development experience in a higher education or specialized school setting.
Experience using EverTrue platform, and everydayhero.
Bilingual, Spanish
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This role requires the following physical activities: talking, hearing and visual acuity, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, loading, unloading and moving materials/boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
COMPENSATION:
This position is a full-time, exempt, employment-at-will position. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including health and retirement benefits. The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
How To Apply
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants must email a letter of interest, resume, the contact information of three professional references and salary history to:hr@imsa.edu, referencing Job Code SL-AGD-ABFE. Letters of interest with all appropriate attachments listed above will be accepted and reviewed as received until the position is filled.
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or national origin. This policy also includes the handicapped and all disabled Vietnam era veterans. IMSA utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees.