Chief Development Officer

Position Summary

Since 1858, The Admiral at the Lake has provided exceptional senior living experiences in the heart of Chicago. With our long history of serving seniors of all faiths and nationalities, we are proud to continue this tradition of excellence. Philanthropy plays a vital role in enriching the lives of residents, supporting employees, and sustaining the community’s long‑standing mission of purposeful living and excellence in care.

The inaugural Chief Development Officer (CDO) will provide strategic leadership and vision for all fundraising and donor engagement efforts across the organization. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CDO will act as chief operating officer of The Admiral at the Lake Foundation, responsible for advancing contributed revenue through a comprehensive development program, while strengthening a culture of philanthropy among residents, families, board members, and community partners.

Essential Functions Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with The Admiral’s mission, values, and strategic priorities
• Lead all aspects of the development function, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, grants, donor recognition, and special fundraising initiatives
• Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Resident Committees to identify funding priorities and philanthropic opportunities that enhance the resident and employee experience
• Establish measurable fundraising goals, monitor performance, and provide regular reports to senior leadership and the Board
• Stay informed of trends, best practices, and regulatory considerations in philanthropy and non‑profit fundraising
• Manage the departmental operating budget and ensure responsible stewardship of resources

Major Gifts & Donor Relations

• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, overseeing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Develop individualized engagement plans for residents, families, and community partners with high philanthropic potential
• Train and support board members, resident leaders, and executives in donor outreach, relationship‑building, and solicitation activities
• Ensure a consistent, meaningful approach to donor recognition and impact reporting
• Oversee all development systems, including donor data management, gift acceptance processes, and reporting within the donor database (Little Green Light)

Capital Campaign Leadership

• Provide leadership for capital campaign planning and readiness, including feasibility assessment, campaign design, volunteer engagement, and donor cultivation
• Collaborate with campaign counsel, board members, residents, and leadership to build alignment, enthusiasm, and momentum for campaign initiatives
• Oversee campaign communications, materials, and related events to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with The Admiral’s brand

Team and Organizational Collaboration

• Serve as a contributing member of the Executive Team, providing insight and leadership on philanthropic strategy and organizational sustainability
• Work closely with Marketing, Finance, and Operations to ensure coordinated messaging, accurate donor tracking, and financial reporting
• Represent The Admiral at community events and with external partners to enhance visibility and philanthropic engagement

Requirements of Compliance Program

• Conform with the requirements of the Compliance Program by understanding and adhering to The Admiral at the Lake’s Compliance Program and Policies as they appear in the Code of Conduct and other compliance policies
• Conduct new vendor checks in conformity with the Compliance Program and Policies
• Acknowledge annual review of the Code of Conduct by signature and attend corporate compliance education events
• Adhere to the policies and procedures covering Privacy and Security in compliance with HIPAA regulations

Competencies

• Demonstrate strong alignment with The Admiral at the Lake’s mission, values, and commitment to purposeful living
• Exhibit high integrity, discretion, and professionalism in all donor and organizational interactions
• Build trust‑based relationships with residents, families, board members, staff, and external partners
• Communicate clearly and persuasively with diverse audiences, including senior leadership and volunteers
• Apply strategic thinking to long‑term fundraising and organizational sustainability
• Demonstrate sound judgment, accountability, and follow‑through
• Adapt effectively to change and manage competing priorities in a complex environment
• Lead with collaboration, respect, and cultural sensitivity

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification preferred
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in development, fundraising, or philanthropy
• Demonstrated experience managing major gifts, donor stewardship, and relationship‑based fundraising
• Experience supporting or leading capital campaign planning, readiness, or execution strongly preferred
• Proven ability to work effectively with executive leadership, boards, and volunteer leaders
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, or mission‑driven nonprofit organizations strongly preferred
• Proficiency with donor management systems, reporting, and fundraising analytics

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in written formats
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers and mobile devices
• Ability to attend meetings, events, and donor engagements across the campus and in the community
• Occasional evening and weekend availability required for events and meetings
• Job Type: Full‑time/On‑Site