World Relief · 1 week ago
Director of Strategic Engagement
Greater Chicago Area
Part-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$95K/yr - $110K/yr
7+ years expWorld Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to addressing the world's greatest crises in partnership with the church. They are seeking a Director of Strategic Engagement to lead local fundraising strategies, collaborate with various teams, and ensure alignment with corporate-wide initiatives.
CharityConsultingSocial
Responsibilities
Provide internal missional and fundraising thought leadership for local fundraising staff and externally facing staff
Work alongside Executive Director & Leadership Team to establish both annual and multi-year fundraising goals
Lead the local Development Team to create and execute the annual fundraising and communications plans to reach financial goals, including long-term goals and multiple short-term projects with clear timelines, responsibilities, and accountabilities
Actively serve on Chicagoland’s Leadership Team, providing leadership input into regional vision and strategy, and aligning local direction with World Relief’s overall strategy
Create metrics for success across all fundraising activities, using results to adapt strategy throughout the year. Proactively review metrics as well as feedback from stakeholders to determine what is working and what can be improved for all initiatives, including events, campaigns, and products
Provide coaching and supervision to local fundraising staff and volunteers, investing in the development of both individual and team performance
Ensure team utilization of Raiser’s Edge NXT for recording donor communications and information
Foster an environment where all team members can bring their ideas to the table, ensuring the best solutions to challenges
Drive new lead generation focused on major and midlevel donors
Grow and manage a portfolio of major donors
Foster long-term, trust-based relationships by ensuring donors feel valued through personalized engagement, consistent communication, and meaningful recognition of their impact
Partner with positions that report nationally, including Strategic Partnerships Officer (Mid-level Giving) and Strategic Partnership Director (Major Giving) to ensure coordinated relationship management and cultivation
Collaborate with program teams and communications staff to connect donors with mission outcomes, and create opportunities for shared learning and deeper partnership in advancing organizational goals
Oversee the planning and implementation of a communications plan and calendar for World Relief Chicagoland
Coach Communications Team to ensure alignment, branding, messaging, tone, and voice are consistent with World Relief’s values and posture
Ensure alignment across external channels of World Relief Chicagoland including Church Mobilization and Volunteer Mobilization
Represent World Relief Chicagoland in news, radio, and newspaper interviews and oversee quality representation among expertise of staff
Oversee the cultivation of stories to ensure impactful and ethical storytelling
Work alongside Executive Director to develop and launch an advisory board for World Relief Chicagoland
Work with Executive Director to strategically engage advisory board members to increase the effectiveness and reach of World Relief Chicagoland
Partner with World Relief’s Marketing Team and Annual Fund Team to align local with international fundraising and communications strategy
Work closely with Program Directors and Executive Director on strategies for designated funding requests
Collaboratively strategize with Church Mobilization Director, Volunteer Director, and Executive Director for alignment of external cultivation and mobilization strategies
Participate in cross functional and matrixed teams as needed
Coordinate with Home Office staff and other US Office staff when appropriate
Other duties as assigned
This role is responsible for supervising others and includes responsibilities consistent with supervising employees including but not limited to monitoring daily work activities, tracking and approving timesheets including approving time off, monitoring performance including entering goals, progress check-ins, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins, documenting performance concerns, entering staff promotions, transitions, and separations in HRIS within required time frame. Managers at World Relief are also considered spiritual leaders and are expected to lead staff in a manner consistent with our Christian values including but not limited to praying with staff, leading devotionals, and fostering a Christian environment in interactions with staff throughout World Relief
Qualification
Required
Mature and personal Christian faith
Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Association of Evangelicals' For the Health of The Nation document
Bachelor's degree with minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including 3-5 years managing major donor portfolios
Demonstrated ability to build trust-based, collaborative relationships with donors, partners and cross-functional teams
Strong background in strategic communications and ethical storytelling; skilled at coaching teams to ensure consistent messaging and representing the organization effectively in digital communications platforms and media
Ability to use with fluency all Microsoft programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook
Preferred
Ability to articulate a personal philosophy of giving and stewardship
Strong results orientation with a proven history of increasing giving
Strategic acumen and an ability to shape plans and activities to align with strategic goals
Empathetic communicator and relationship-builder, skilled at listening, fostering trust, and engaging donors, partners and staff with care and authenticity
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, leverage personal influence to reach goals, and foster strong collaboration
Well organized with the ability to navigate competing priorities and meet concurrent objectives
Familiarity with CRM (Raiser's Edge NXT preferred) and Project Management Tools
Strong familiarity with digital communications platforms (social media, web, email)
Excellent problem-solving abilities with an ability to 'think outside the box' on a frequent basis
Demonstrated resilience and leadership in the face of frequent change
Experience in faith-based, international or community development organizations, with sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts
Advanced education or training, or experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, or a related field
Benefits
Competitive benefits package
Employee discount program
Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation
Company
World Relief
World Relief is a global and humanitarian organization that provides immigration, legal and empowerment services.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.17MKey Investors
Basic Needs Giving PartnershipDuPage Foundation
2025-01-17Grant· $0.05M
2023-07-18Grant· $0.12M
Leadership Team
Myal Greene
President & CEO
Alexis Brown, PhD
Chief People Officer
Recent News
North Park University
2025-10-06
2025-03-13
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