Project Development Officer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Since 1973 the American Brain Tumor Association has been the champion of the brain tumor community. Our mission: to advance the understanding and treatment of brain tumors with the goals of improving, extending and, ultimately, saving the lives of those impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis.

The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations leads the American Brain Tumor Association’s nationwide strategy to secure and grow revenue from corporations, corporate foundations, private foundations, and other institutional funders. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director manages the full relationship lifecycle—from prospect identification and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship, renewal, and expansion.

Working across departments, the Director translates ABTA’s priorities into compelling funding opportunities and builds partnerships that advance the mission while achieving annual and long-term revenue goals.

This position may be remote, hybrid, or office depending on candidate preference. Regular virtual engagement and periodic national travel are required, with occasional evening and weekend work.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategy and Portfolio Management

• Develop and execute a nationwide corporate and foundation fundraising strategy.
• Expand and manage a diversified portfolio of high-value prospects, funders, and partners.
• Establish goals, revenue projections, and strategies for acquisition, retention, renewal, and growth.
• Identify emerging funding opportunities, partnership models, and industry trends.
• Evaluate opportunities for mission alignment, revenue potential, organizational capacity, and reputational risk.
• Cultivate relationships with corporate executives, foundation leaders, program officers, and other decisionmakers.
• Represent ABTA at meetings, conferences, and industry events.

Proposals and Partnerships

• Lead the development of grant proposals, letters of inquiry, sponsorship packages, presentations, and other solicitation materials.
• Translate complex programs and priorities into clear, persuasive funding opportunities.
• Develop customized partnerships that may include sponsorship, cause marketing, employee engagement, workplace giving, and program support.
• Coordinate proposal budgets, deliverables, timelines, recognition benefits, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain a centralized calendar of application, renewal, reporting, and stewardship deadlines.

Stewardship and Growth

• Implement stewardship strategies that demonstrate impact and position funders for renewal and increased support.
• Coordinate grant reports, financial documentation, impact updates, recognition, and other deliverables.
• Monitor fulfillment of sponsorship benefits and partnership agreements.
• Identify opportunities for multi-year commitments, increased investment, and expanded engagement.

Internal Collaboration and Reporting

• Partner with mission and research teams to identify fundable priorities and develop cases for support.
• Collaborate with Chief Development Officer on budgets, restricted revenue, grant expenditures, and financial reporting.
• Work with marketing on recognition and fulfillment of National Conference and Corporate Partner sponsorships.
• Coordinate with individual giving and peer-to-peer fundraising teams on integrated opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records of prospects, proposals, agreements, activities, deadlines, and next steps in Salesforce.
• Provide leadership with regular pipeline reports, revenue forecasts, risks, opportunities, and projected results.

Leadership

• Serve as ABTA’s subject-matter expert on corporate and foundation fundraising.
• Help establish policies, procedures, ethical standards, and best practices for institutional fundraising and corporate engagement.
• Supervise and develop one direct report in supporting corporate and foundation relations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven or more years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising specific to corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and sponsorship.
• Demonstrated success securing significant corporate, foundation, sponsorship, and institutional support.
• Experience managing a portfolio across multiple geographic markets.
• Excellent proposal writing, presentation, negotiation, relationship-building, and project-management skills.
• Experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional teams.
• Ability to translate complex priorities into persuasive and accessible funding opportunities.
• Experience developing budgets, reports, agreements, and funder deliverables.
• High proficiency with Salesforce, Asana, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel up to 25% and work occasional evenings and weekends.

About Our Culture

The ABTA offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401K plan with employer match; parental leave; monthly technology stipend; a generous paid time off plan; summer hours; work-life balance and flexible work-from-home schedule.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The ABTA is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. The ABTA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.