Les Turner ALS Foundation

Careers

Our small and tightknit team brings decades of experience and compassion to their jobs.  Made up of a team of support service professionals, fundraising and marketing and communications professionals, and an office staff that handles administrative functions, we are committed to providing the best possible support for people living with ALS and their families.

Chief Development Officer

The Les Turner ALS Foundation provides comprehensive care and support services to people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their families. Through research, support services, and advocacy, we strive to improve the quality of life for those living with ALS and ultimately find a cure for this devastating disease.

Position Description

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a senior leadership role at the Les Turner ALS Foundation, responsible for driving strategic revenue growth through innovative fundraising strategies, donor cultivation, and campaign leadership. This position is suitable for associate directors or senior managers who are ready to lead a department and requires expertise in major gift development, the ability to navigate the dynamics of a small organization, and a focus on advancing the Foundation’s mission during a period of digital transformation. As the Foundation approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, the CDO will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing fundraising and celebratory campaigns to elevate the Foundation’s profile and impact.

Collaboration is central to the success of this role. The CDO works closely with the Chief Communications Officer to align messaging, branding, and donor engagement strategies across all channels, ensuring a unified and compelling narrative for the Foundation. The CDO also partners with the Chief Advocacy and Outreach Officer to identify and secure funding opportunities that advance advocacy efforts, including legislative initiatives and grassroots fundraising campaigns.

Preferred qualifications include strong knowledge of fundraising trends and best practices in the rare disease, healthcare, or advocacy sectors; experience working with board members and volunteer committees to achieve fundraising goals; expertise in donor cultivation strategies tailored to high-net-worth individuals; and experience leading and managing a professional team.

Reports to

Chief Executive Officer

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership

· Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet and exceed annual revenue goals.

· Lead efforts to grow major gifts, planned giving, foundation, and corporate partnerships, ensuring a balanced and sustainable revenue portfolio.

· Design and implement the Foundation’s upcoming 50-year anniversary capital campaign.

· Redesign donor stewardship programs, ensuring meaningful acknowledgment and retention strategies.

Donor and Stakeholder Engagement

· Identify, prospect, cultivate, and manage relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, corporate sponsors, and community partners.

· Collaborate with the CEO, Chief Advocacy and Outreach Officer, and Chief Communications Officer on donor relations and stakeholder communications to align efforts with organizational priorities.

· Represent the Foundation at events, meetings, and networking opportunities to increase visibility and donor engagement.

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

· Partner with the CEO and board members to shape and implement the Foundation’s advancement strategy.

· Provide data-driven insights and reports to leadership and the board on fundraising performance and donor trends.

· Drive innovation in fundraising practices, adapting to evolving digital tools and platforms.

· Collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer to align fundraising campaigns with marketing and communications strategies, ensuring consistency in messaging and donor engagement.

· Lead efforts to foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, engaging staff and board members in fundraising initiatives.

· Work closely with program leaders to understand organizational priorities and develop compelling cases for support that resonate with donors.

· Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships and alliances that enhance the Foundation’s visibility and impact.

Advocacy Funding Collaboration

· Partner with the Chief Advocacy and Outreach Officer to identify funding opportunities that support advocacy initiatives, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual giving.

· Collaborate on donor communications and proposals that highlight the impact of advocacy programs and legislative efforts.

· Develop and steward relationships with donors and organizations that are passionate about advocacy and policy change.

Team Leadership and Development

· Build and Lead a High-Performing Team: Supervise, mentor, and inspire the development team to foster professional growth, collaboration, and a results-oriented culture.

· Team Management: Directly manage and support the following team members:

o Director of Events and Partnerships: Oversees the Events and Development Senior Associate, ensuring the success of all fundraising events and partnerships.

o Donor Relations and Development Manager: Focuses on cultivating donor relationships and implementing stewardship strategies.

o Database Coordinator: Ensures accurate data management, gift processing, and reporting to support the development team’s goals.

· Promote Collaboration: Encourage cross-departmental teamwork to align fundraising, marketing, and advocacy strategies for maximum impact.

· Establish Goals and Accountability: Develop clear, measurable goals and metrics to drive professional accountability and success. Support team members in setting personal growth objectives while instilling a performance-management approach across the department.

Digital Transformation

· Lead efforts to complete the adoption of modern fundraising operations, leveraging digital tools for donor engagement, campaign management, and data analytics.

· Ensure the development team is equipped to adapt to new technologies and industry trends.

Required Skills Qualifications

· Proven Experience: At least 10 years in nonprofit development, with a focus on major gifts, planned giving, and campaign leadership.

· Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire teams in a collaborative environment.

· Collaboration: Proven ability to work cross-departmentally, particularly with communications and advocacy teams, to achieve organizational goals.

· Campaign Expertise: Experience designing and implementing anniversary, capital, or multi-year campaigns.

· Strategic Agility: Adept at working in a small organization, balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution.

· Digital Competence: Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Virtuous, OneCause), donor analytics, and digital fundraising tools.

· Advocacy Knowledge: Understanding of advocacy funding opportunities and the ability to integrate them into overall fundraising strategies.

· Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.

· Mission-Driven: Passion for supporting the ALS community and advancing the mission of the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

Benefits

· Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

· Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan with organizational match, generous paid time off, ten paid holidays, summer hours, disability and life insurance.

· Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the ALS community and contribute to finding a cure for ALS.

Our team works a hybrid schedule – generally 60% in the office, on days selected by the employee. Located in Skokie, IL, the office is easily accessible by car and CTA/Pace public transportation.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position to [email protected]

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, religion (creed), national origin (ancestry), age, marital status, disability, military status, sexual orientation or gender expression.

The Chief Development Officer is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. The Foundation complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.