New

Interim Chief Development Officer

Chicago Botanic Garden
246400.00 To 246400.00 (USD) Annually
United States, Illinois, Glencoe
1000 Lake Cook Road (Show on map)
Dec 12, 2025
Title: Interim Chief Development Officer Exemption Status: Exempt Department: Development Reports to: President and CEO Seasonal Full-time (Interim) Supervises: Five direct reports Seasonal Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits: 2025 Chicago Botanic Garden Benefit Guide JP - Seasonal Full-time Compensation Philosophy: At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated. Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount. The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate's qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate's salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual's contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets. Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments. Position Overview: The Interim Chief Development Officer (CDO) leads the Development Division and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team during the Garden's search for a permanent CDO. Responsibilities In this role you will be responsible for the following: Provides interim leadership to establish and maintain the vision and direction for all development activity for the organization Ensures the successful implementation of existing short-term and long-term strategic development plans and oversees related tactical plans and activities to achieve development and strategic goals across all areas of the portfolio - philanthropic giving, earned revenue through membership, sponsorship, campaign management, and board governance. Directs and oversees the effective implementation of all fundraising plans and programs-including all component parts of comprehensive fundraising campaign, including annual fundraising, major gifts, gift planning, grants, corporate giving and sponsorship, events, direct mail, and online fundraising-with a focus on ensuring continuity, maintaining systems, and supporting staff execution during the interim period. Directs and oversees the effective implementation of the membership program, assuring best-practices are in place to maintain and grow membership and donor pipeline. Oversees and supports the major gifts program for donors of $10,000 or more by providing strategy, coaching, and portfolio oversight. Leads relationship with comprehensive campaign advisors. Develops budget projections; conducts fundraising and expense analyses to determine budget projections and goals, ensuring continuity and stability during the interim period. Provides overall direction for the development team, ensuring the team has the plans, tools, and coaching needed for effective donor/member engagement. Manages, coaches, and supports staff, ensuring fundraising objectives are prioritized and met. Oversees staffing needs during the interim period and manages volunteer workforce(s) as appropriate. Identifies organizational strengths and gaps within the development function to support the onboarding and success of the future permanent leader. Directs and oversees a responsive donor relations program including communications, recognition, and stewardship activities. Oversees fulfillment of donor benefits and ensures collateral materials are appropriately designed, developed, and produced for fundraising and development programs. Directs and oversees effective database management of all donor records. Ensures effective data management and reporting to the President, finance office, and the Board. Oversees analysis and evaluation of fundraising programs and results. Oversees all grant activity including grant applications, monitoring, and reporting; researching grant opportunities; and supporting the application process. Ensures relationships with foundations, grantors, and government agencies are maintained and that staff have the guidance needed to pursue maximum funding potential. Directs and oversees all fundraising and donor relations events and activities. Ensures that events are designed to achieve maximum fundraising potential, community exposure, and effective community relations, while guiding staff in planning and execution. As part of the Executive Leadership Team, advises and assists the President and CEO in strategy and planning for the Garden. Anticipates and supports a smooth leadership transition to permanent CDO by documenting key processes and providing insight to inform the hiring of a permanent development leader. Focuses on supporting and guiding staff and the President and CEO in relationship building efforts; guides introduction of new President and CEO to donor community. Supports the President and CEO in highest-level donor engagement and solicitation; does not serve as a primary solicitor. Integrates ELT into comprehensive campaign strategy and implementation and collaborates with internal departments to ensure effective planning and implementation of fundraising and development activities. Establishes close relationships and collaboration with the marketing department to ensure all fundraising and development activity is consistent with the organization's brand and supports organization marketing and event efforts. Establishes close relationships and collaboration with the Information Services Division, ensuring development activity is aligned with organization's systems, process, and practices. Provides strategic support to the Board in fundraising activities including training, development of materials, relationship management guidance, and oversight of donor cultivation efforts. Provides strategic support to the Development Committee of the Board, liaising with its chair, members, and Chairman of the Board. Qualifications Our ideal candidate will have the following: Ten or more years of development experience with progressive levels of responsibility, including broad knowledge of all functional areas of fundraising (major, planned, and annual giving; corporate and foundation giving; annual giving/membership; stewardship) and leadership in a major capital campaign, preferably within a major cultural institution, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or other environment of similar complexity. Passion for the mission and programs of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Ability to inspire and engage others as a senior representative of the Garden. Demonstrated ability to provide strategic and operational management, leadership, and coaching, including creating and managing a budget. A strong record of fostering a transparent and collegial work environment, and increasing effectiveness through established objectives, performance standards, quantifiable benchmarks, and mentoring. Proven ability to personally cultivate, solicit, and steward individual and institutional donors at seven to eight-figure levels through diplomacy, collaboration, and creativity. Demonstrated ability in planning and executing integrated, strategic, and innovative communications in support of achieving fundraising goals. Ability to extract and analyze data to make effective, efficient decisions about donor strategy and process. A working knowledge of modern data management practices and innovations that can streamline the development process and contribute to the integration of related functions. Experience assessing, modernizing, and improving fundraising relationship management tools. A forward thinker with a track record of utilizing new methods of donor engagement and connectivity, who will be driven by innovation in developing philanthropic best practices. Bachelor's degree required. Physical Demands: Office setting. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and keyboarding. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds. Why Apply? Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class. Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.