One Million Degrees · 10 hours ago
Senior Director, Development
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$97K/yr - $118K/yr
10+ years expOne Million Degrees is an organization dedicated to accelerating community college students' progress towards economic mobility. They are seeking a Senior Director of Development to architect and execute innovative fundraising strategies that blend traditional philanthropy with fee-for-service partnerships, ensuring the sustainability and growth of their mission.
EducationNon ProfitSocial Impact
Responsibilities
Serve as OMD’s lead fundraiser, leading the efforts to generate significant, diversified, and renewable funding streams
Identify, cultivate, and solicit new major gifts, focusing on acquiring six- and seven-figure gifts from nationally scoped foundations
Serve as a strategic relationship-builder to key foundation and corporate stakeholders
Partner with Board members to engage their networks and expand organizational support
Utilize Salesforce and data-driven approaches to identify prospects and refine cultivation strategies
Provide strategic direction, coaching, and accountability to development team members
Ensure Advancement team systems and protocols are maintained with fidelity and continuously improved
Oversee quality and timeliness of grant proposals, reports, and donor stewardship activities
Ensure donor-facing events and stewardship activities are consistent and well run
Manage cross-departmental systems including Case for Support materials and organizational alignment processes
Build first-hand knowledge of the OMD model by engaging with scholars, alumni, and program activities
Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team
Partner with Chief Advancement Officer to design OMD’s general operating fundraising strategy and objectives, devising key performance indicators and detailed fundraising and communications plans
Support Chief Advancement Officer in developing strategic revenue plans that integrate both philanthropic and fee-for-service approaches for national expansion and workforce initiatives
Create compelling collateral and case materials to drive partnership formation with community colleges and workforce partners
Collaborate with CCC Foundation to envision and execute a sustainable role for philanthropy in OMD’s Campuswide program beyond FY26, particularly for scholar stipends
Design data-driven fundraising strategies with clear KPIs and performance indicators
Collaborate with Board members and staff in all aspects of planning and executing special events such as the Annual Degrees of Impact Gala, corporate partner events, and other donor cultivation events
Work closely with Board members to solicit donations and table/ticket sales and to invite guests to events
Manage successful execution of Degrees of Impact and other fundraising events by managing ticket sales; tracking all income with event and Salesforce databases; working with sponsors and ad space buyers to obtain logos, copy, and payment
Qualification
Required
At least 10 years of progressive fundraising experience with a successful track record managing strategic relationships to drive organizational growth, designing and executing fundraising campaigns, including developing comprehensive revenue strategies
At least 5 years of staff management experience, including hiring and developing high-performing teams during periods of growth and change
Experience cultivating and closing major gifts ($100,000+) from foundations and corporations
Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to articulate funding needs compellingly to diverse audiences
Proficiency with CRM systems and data-driven decision making
Bachelor's degree required
Preferred
Established relationships within Chicago's nonprofit, education, and philanthropic communities
Experience with fee-for-service or earned revenue models in nonprofit settings
Background in organizations focused on higher education access, workforce development, or economic mobility
Familiarity with workforce development funding streams and partnership structures
Experience with Salesforce
Benefits
Full Health Benefits –Provided for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision. OMD pays 100% of individual’s basic monthly health premium and 80% dependent coverage.
Employee assistance program, which offers confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and more.
Retirement Benefits – For full-time employees, OMD offers a 401(k) plan and matches retirement contributions up to 4% of total salary.
Generous Paid Time Off Policy– OMD has 12 paid holidays and offers up to 15 days PTO in year one; in addition to two weeks paid time off for winter break.
Compensatory time for designated duties performed outside of normal work hours
Monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement up to $50/month.
12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents.
Professional Learning Opportunities – OMD supports employee development in areas relevant to professional and organizational goals and will pay for training such as workshops and conferences as agreed upon by the employee and supervisor.
Hybrid Work Schedule – One in-office day required a week; other days can be remote (in-person day set by you and your manager).
Company
One Million Degrees
One Million Degrees is a nonprofit organization that provides coaching, financial aid, and career support to help community students.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$3.5MKey Investors
Ballmer Group
2025-09-18Grant· $3.5M
Leadership Team
Aarti Dhupelia
Chief Executive Officer
Joel Pomerenk
Chief Finance & Operations Officer
Recent News
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