Chief Development Officer

Company Description

The Admiral at the Lake is Chicago’s most elevated senior living community, offering a beautiful on-site environment with sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Team members join a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community, connection, and friendship while supporting senior residents in living their best lives. The Admiral provides a collaborative culture where contributions are valued and linked directly to resident well-being.

The organization promotes health, wellness, happiness, and an ageless spirit, and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity within an engaged community.

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a full-time, on-site role based in the Greater Chicago Area, responsible for leading all fundraising and development activities for The Admiral at the Lake. The CDO designs and executes comprehensive development strategies that align with the organization’s mission and long-term goals, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and capital initiatives. Day-to-day responsibilities include cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, overseeing donor communications, and coordinating events and campaigns that support philanthropy and community engagement.

The CDO will manage development budgets and reporting, collaborate closely with executive leadership and the board, and provide guidance to staff and volunteers involved in fundraising efforts. This role also entails monitoring development performance metrics, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal fundraising standards, and representing The Admiral at the Lake as a visible ambassador in the community.

• Demonstrated expertise in philanthropy, including Planned Giving and Annual Giving, with a track record of cultivating and stewarding individual donors and families.
• Proficiency in Strategic Planning and Budgeting to design and manage comprehensive development programs aligned with organizational goals.
• Experience leading fundraising campaigns, donor events, and capital or endowment initiatives in a nonprofit environment.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including donors, board members, and community partners.
• Leadership experience managing development teams or cross-functional projects, with the ability to mentor staff and coordinate volunteer efforts.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, ethical standards, and best practices, including use of donor management/CRM systems and data-driven reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Nonprofit Management, Business, Communications, or similar; advanced degree or CFRE certification is beneficial.
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, or mission-driven nonprofits is preferred, along with alignment to The Admiral’s values of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and community engagement.