System Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) seeks to hire a Development Manager to help grow our resources and donor base.The Development Manager will be an essential member of the organization's development team, providing critical support that helps fund ILAO's mission. This role contributes to the overall success of development efforts by ensuring that systems, communications, and processes operate smoothly and that donors and supporters have positive interactions with ILAO.

Working closely with the Director of Development and collaborating with colleagues across ILAO as well as outside consultants and vendors, the Development Manager supports a range of fundraising activities, including grants coordination, annual campaigns, events, and stewardship efforts.

ILAO is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. Working with great people with a wide variety of lived experience brings us closer to meeting our vision of a society where all people can get justice. Because our services and products - like the law - are for everyone, we believe in including everyone. We strongly and enthusiastically encourage people of color, individuals who identify within and beyond the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

This is a hybrid position, and the Development Manager can expect opportunities for both remote and in-office work. Applicants must be based in the Chicagoland area and available for regular in-person work at ILAO's downtown office as required by the supervisor. This position involves occasional evening or weekend hours during events or peak fundraising periods. Desired start date: July 1, 2026.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Grants Management

• Research and monitor foundation, corporate, and public funding opportunities aligned with ILAO's mission and program priorities.
• Assist in writing, editing, assembling, and submitting grant applications and renewal proposals in accordance with funder requirements and deadlines; track proposal status.
• Coordinate and collaborate with program and finance teams to gather content, proposal budgets, and produce compelling submissions and reports.
• Manage grant timelines and maintain a calendar of deadlines, coordinating internal input and cultivation activities as needed.
• Prepare and submit grant reports demonstrating impact to funders and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate grant records, including preparing memos and entering awards and related data into the donor database.
• Coordinate and staff funder site visits.

Development Communications

• Assist in developing donor-facing communications, including ILAO's annual report, email appeals, event promotions, and stewardship materials.
• Support the creation and execution of year-round fundraising campaigns, including list segmentation and targeted outreach.
• Help maintain and update ILAO's case for support and ensure consistent messaging across all development materials.
• Collaborate with program staff to gather stories, data, and impact metrics for use in donor communications and proposals.
• Collaborate on digital fundraising efforts, including tracking performance metrics and recommending improvements

Fundraising & Events

• Support year-round fundraising campaigns and appeals.
• Assist with all fundraising/social event planning and execution (e.g., annual benefit, board events, YPB events, stewardship events, etc.).
• Assist with securing donations and sponsorships for annual gala and other fundraisers and events.
• Staff and support the Young Professionals Board, a cross-sector network of young professionals.

Database Management

• Oversee timely gift processing and data management within ILAO's donor database, Salesforce.
• Collaborate with Salesforce consultants to generate periodic (standard and ad-hoc) fundraising analytic reports, including performance against goals and projections.
• Streamline reporting on donor prospects and moves management in the CRM platform.
• Ensure database integrity and maintain a high level of detail-oriented accuracy within the CRM platform.
• Manage timely gift recognition and acknowledgments.

Administration

• Manage solicitation and stewardship processes for donors assigned, including tracking relevant information, processing gifts, and sending thank-you letters.
• Maintain and update the donor tracking system.
• Track and manage local matching gifts.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in a professional role executing fundraising efforts, including grants management and event coordination.
• Experience working in a legal aid organization is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent computer skills in Google and Microsoft Office programs and any CRM platform.

• Strong organizational, grant-writing, and reporting skills.

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and dependability in a fast-paced, dynamic, deadline-driven environment in a professional manner.
• Excellent people skills; ability to work effectively with teams, diverse groups and individuals.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

Preference is given to applicants with:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and city-funded grant writing and reporting.
• Knowledge of MailChimp and Salesforce.
• Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat and Canva.

To Apply:

Please apply using the provided application form. No recruiters, no emails or phone calls, please. Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Deadline to Apply: May 31, 2026

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $60,000 to $70,000 (based on relevant experience)

Benefits: ILAO offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, health and dependent care flex spending account; 15 paid days off and 15 holidays in the first calendar year of employment; and, 403(b) retirement plan, to which ILAO contributes a required 1% of salary monthly. ILAO has a flexible workplace policy that supports remote work, wellness, and work-life balance.

About ILAO

At ILAO, we believe in justice and that the law is for everyone. We know, however, that race and culture, language, education, location, time, disability, and income create enormous barriers to accessing justice.

For 25 years, ILAO has simplified the law so people can resolve legal problems and assert their rights, especially those from historically oppressed communities. Through innovation, we make the law understandable and accessible.

We believe that, with the right knowledge and guidance, people can be their own best advocates. Through plain-language, 24/7 tools available in three languages, ILAO helps individuals and families understand their legal rights and overcome barriers to justice, particularly those who cannot find or afford an attorney.

ILAO is open to all. Working with people with a wide variety of lived experiences brings us closer to our vision of a society where everyone can access justice. We recognize that people with intersecting historically oppressed identities often face the greatest barriers, and we seek to break them down by providing the tools, opportunities, and connections people need to advocate for themselves.

Inclusion, equity, and diversity are central to our work to advance opportunity and justice for those who need it most. As a community and as individuals, we honor and respect differences, practice equity, and support the professional development and wellness of our colleagues.