Senior Director of Development

Sarah’s Circle provides a full continuum of services for women, including housing, life necessities, and supportive services, to help them permanently end their homelessness. Located in Chicago’s Uptown community, Sarah’s Circle has evolved from a drop-in center to a multi-faceted agency with three facilities on a two block stretch of Sheridan Road with comprehensive services including permanent housing.

After over 40 years of service, Sarah’s Circle is still growing to meet the needs of women. With the continued loss of affordable housing in Chicago’s communities and a persistent wage disparity, over 2,000 women will be homeless on any given night. Sarah’s Circle is increasingly focused on permanent supportive housing solutions for these women. Primary services and programs include a Daytime Support Center; Interim Housing Program; Permanent Supportive Housing; and temporary Rapid Rehousing, a new initiative in response to COVID-19.

The Senior Director of Development (SDoD), a new position for the agency, will play an integral part in the strategic planning process in the second half of 2022. As a member of the Leadership Team, the SDoD will offer insights and expertise regarding critical decisions about the agency’s planning and growth.

Sarah’s Circle seeks a proven leader whose participation and experience in their community has demonstrated an ability to increase and sustain a higher level of philanthropy, awareness and enthusiasm in order to make a difference in the life of an organization. This person will be a strategic thinker with a significant fundraising background or leadership experience raising money on behalf of a nonprofit institution as well as management expertise leading staff and Board in a strong philanthropic culture.

This person is a self-starter who actively pursues, cultivates and enjoys building and maintaining strong donor relationships and internal alliances.  The successful candidate is a person who makes people comfortable and is genuine in her/his/their engagement.  This individual must be able to engender trust and empathy and relate to donors in a highly professional, honest and caring manner. Experience with all aspects of fundraising, including capital campaigns, annual funds, grants, special events with a focus on peer-to-peer fundraising, and major and planned gifts is required. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of closing significant gifts. Knowledge of housing insecurity and or poverty issues relevant to women is preferred but not required; the ability and capacity to learn quickly is essential. 

Working with staff and providing excellent team management, leadership, communications and project management skills is a must. The ability to collaborate with board members in creating appropriate avenues for their participation in fundraising is highly preferred. This person is an exceptional communicator, in written and spoken word, externally and internally, whose interpersonal skills demonstrate an ability to work in harmony at all levels, listen to and respect the viewpoints of others, and strive to share credit and recognition with others. Superior time management, analytical and research skills, as well as the ability to make decisive choices are critical in working effectively with others.

An undergraduate degree from a college or university is required; a graduate degree is preferred.  Evidence of continuing education through conferences, seminars and workshops in fundraising techniques and a CRFE designation are a plus.

The salary range for this position is between $125,000 and 140,000 and will be commensurate with experience. The agency offers a benefits package, including but not limited to paid holidays, paid time off, a 401k and group health, vision and dental insurance.  

Sarah’s Circle is committed to providing a non-discriminatory employment environment for its employees. The policy of Sarah’s Circle is to fully comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations in the area of non-discrimination in employment. Discrimination against employees and applicants due to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, disability, age (40 years or older), military and veteran status is prohibited. Violations of this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination. Equal employment opportunity and non-discriminatory commitments include, but are not limited to, the areas of hiring, promotion, demotion or transfer, recruitment, discipline, layoff or termination, rate of compensation and company sponsored training.