System Development Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Centers has been a constant presence on Chicago’s South Side for 55 years, helping families develop self-reliance, improve their quality of life, and participate in rebuilding their communities. Our programs span early childhood education, youth development, and family services, providing culturally grounded guidance, skill-building, and wraparound support. Through these coordinated efforts, children thrive, youth explore opportunity, and families gain the tools and resources to achieve long-term stability. Centers’ enduring commitment ensures the South Side remains a place of hope and progress, honoring our legacy while investing in a resilient, equitable future for generations to come.

Centers for New Horizons has a 55-year legacy of service on Chicago’s South Side — and a philanthropic program with real momentum and significant room to grow. Today, nearly all of CNH’s revenue comes from government sources, and the organization has made a deliberate investment in building the foundation for something more. We are seeking a entrepreneurial-minded Development Manager to help us build a diversified, sustainable philanthropic program — one that matches the depth of our mission and the strength of our community relationships. Foundational work is already underway, and this leader will step in with a running start — implementing systems, cultivating relationships, and growing a program with real opportunity to expand.

The Development Manager will serve as CNH’s first dedicated fundraising leader, responsible for implementing and growing a comprehensive development program. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role will build on early-stage infrastructure and strategy already in development, with the opportunity to shape and expand the program over time. The Director will work across all areas of fundraising — grants, individual giving, major gifts, and events — bringing both strategic thinking and hands-on execution.

Foundation, Corporate & Government Grants

• Support the writing and reporting of government grants in partnership with program leadership
• Identify and pursue foundation and corporate grant opportunities
• Lead proposal writing, reporting, and funder relationship management for philanthropic grants
Fundraising Strategy & Infrastructure
• Implement and expand a multiyear development plan already in progress
• Build on existing systems for donor tracking, gift processing, and reporting
• Establish practices that position CNH for sustained fundraising growth
Individual & Major Gifts
• Identify and cultivate a pipeline of individual donors
• Design and launch CNH’s major gifts program
• Partner with the CEO and Board to engage donors at all levels
Events & Community Fundraising
• Develop and manage fundraising events that build visibility and revenue
• Connect event strategy to broader donor cultivation and stewardship goals
Board & Leadership Partnership
• Support and activate the Board’s fundraising role
• Provide the CEO with the tools, talking points, and strategy needed to be an effective development partner
What Success Looks Like
• A development plan is in place and being executed with discipline
• CNH has an expanding base of individual and foundation donors
• Government funding is complemented — not solely relied upon — by philanthropic revenue
• The Board is engaged and active in fundraising
• CNH’s story is reaching new audiences and converting them into supporters
Ideal Profile
• A person with at least five years general fundraiser or comparative experience developing and expanding revenue.
• Comfortable stepping into an earlystage program and accelerating momentum already built
• Strong writer
• A relationship builder who can represent CNH with authenticity and credibility
• Selfdirected and entrepreneurial, with the discipline to execute independently
Special Consideration

This role is both a builder’s opportunity and a legacy investment. The Development Manager will join a team already investing in CNH’s next chapter — helping ensure the organization has the resources to serve the South Side for 55 more years.

Additional Employment Information

Compensation:

Compensation is commensurate with experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The salary range for this position is $80,000–$90,000 annually.

• HMO and PPO Medical Coverage Plans
• HMO and PPO Dental Plans
• Vision Insurance Plans
• CompanyPaid Individual Life Insurance
• CompanyPaid ShortTerm and LongTerm Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 4% employer match
• Pet Insurance
• Telehealth Virtual Doctor Visits
• Accident Insurance
• Commuter Benefit
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 10 Paid Vacation Days to start
• 7 Paid Sick Days
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Birthday Off
• Student loan forgiveness eligible employer

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Work Environment:

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment with regular travel throughout the Chicago metropolitan area to meet with donors, community partners, board members, and attend fundraising events. The role requires a combination of office work, community engagement, and occasional evening and weekend events. Noise levels vary depending on the work setting.

Physical Demands:

The employee must regularly communicate, hear, sit, stand, stoop, and walk. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Disclaimer:

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, and employment is at will.