TITLE: Manager of Individual Giving
DEPARTMENT: Development
REPORTS TO: Director of Individual & Planned Giving
STATUS: Fulltime Exempt
SALARY:$60000 $65000
POSITION OVERVIEW: Shedd Aquarium is seeking a fulltime Manager Individual Giving to join its Development Department and play a critical role in advancing fundraising on behalf of our Centennial Commitment as the Development Department pursues two goals:
The Manager Individual Giving will advance individual philanthropy across membership leadership and planned giving programs to grow revenue and increase the number of Shedd supporters. Guided by the Director of Individual and Planned Giving the Manager will serve as a partner in philanthropy to cultivate highlevel members from a transactional to a relational donor experience and build new philanthropic pathways by promoting our leadership and planned giving societies to new and existing audiences. Paramount to this position is the ability to work entrepreneurially and manage various efforts at once while maintaining a clear view of how each effort supports Shedds mission and Centennial Commitment fundraising priorities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Individual Giving
- Manage and implement programmatic acquisition renewal and upgrade strategies of Sponsor Ambassador and Aquarium Council members ($500$9999).
- Partner across the Membership Team to streamline the conversion of members into higherlevel donors through direct response and hightouch techniques.
- Serve as a primary liaison and stewardship voice for Sponsor Ambassador and Aquarium Council members providing conciergelevel support via phone email and direct contact for member benefits tours and programs.
- Collaborate with the Donor Engagement & Events team to design and coordinate a yearround cultivation and stewardship plan for midlevel & leadership donors that maximizes revenue retention & donor loyalty.
- Assist in developing support materials for fundraising activities and campaigns.
Relationship Management
- Manage and personally solicit a portfolio of 100 new Aquarium Council and loyal member households with a focus on qualifying their philanthropic interests and capacity to retain or increase their unrestricted support.
- Cultivate and transition Aquarium Council members with high velocity.
- Collaborate across the Individual Giving and Prospect Development teams to systematically identify qualify and transition new donor leads and membership segments who have the inclination and capacity to increase their giving.
- Maintain accurate records of donor outreach and solicitation in Tessitura.
Shedd Priorities
- Demonstratea commitmentto Shedds vision mission and values.
- Maintain current understanding of Shedds Centennial Commitment strategic plan focus areas successes and overall results to effectively communicate to supporters.
- Actively use Tessitura and SharePoint as central resources for managing fundraising activity institutional knowledge and progress towards shared goals.
- Commit to the Development teams ongoing efforts to proactively become a more antiracist fundraising operation.
- Incorporate Diversity Equity Accessibility & Inclusion (DEAI) principles in all planning and strategy efforts to help build a member and donor base better reflective of our Chicago community.
- Contribute to a greater focus onthe wellbeing ofindividual members of the team includinga heightened emphasis onworklife balance.
- All other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required.
Education:Minimum BA or equivalent experience required.
Experience: - 3 years of progressive experience in development or membership with preference for a proven track record in:
- Increasing memberdonor retention loyalty and engagement
- Successful donor engagement via inperson and/or virtual meetings phone and email
- Excellent written and oral communication skills that are effective with a diverse range of audiences including members donors volunteers internal staff executives visitors and all constituencies.
- An entrepreneurial mindset for planning analytics and organization.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team; detailoriented wellorganized focused and goaloriented with a high level of initiative and problemsolving skills.
- Prior experience in a database as well as knowledge of CRM database required; Tessitura preferred.
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD:We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
- Medical Insurance including FSA and HSA plan options
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- Up to 12 Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Parental Leaveand Adoption Assistance
- 401(k)
- Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness program including Preventive Care Incentive
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Tickets
Reasonable Accommodations:Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process please email us at
We strongly encourage people of color LGBTQ community veterans and active duty military parents individuals with disabilities and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. Required Experience:
Manager