MANAGER, ENGAGEMENT

Reports to:           Director of Development

Classification:      Full-time, exempt

ORGANIZATION                                                                                                                                         

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) connects engaged audiences and compelling ideas to cultivate a more informed, inspired, empathetic, and participatory society. For over 30 years the Festival has presented vital civic and cultural events on the most pressing topics of our time through smart, engaging programs and performances. Insightful, entertaining and interactive, Festival events are a platform for authors, journalists, scholars, policy makers and other thought leaders, as well as for artists, actors, musicians, comedians and cultural figures.

CHF has established itself as a vital member of Chicago’s cultural community, with longstanding partnerships within the city’s civic, cultural, and educational communities. In pre-pandemic years, the Festival’s thoughtfully curated Spring and Fall seasons annually attracted 50,000 people to 90+ in-person programs. In fall 2021, we returned to in-person events after a year of virtual programming. For 2022, we are planning in-person festivals in May and October–November, and a series of high-profile standalone events throughout the year. More information at chicagohumanities.org      

POSITION DESCRIPTION                                                                                                                                         

The Engagement Manager is an integral part of CHF’s development team and is responsible for the management and growth of CHF’s fundraising and cultivation events, its broader cultivation and stewardship program and donor benefit fulfillment, as well as collaborating on and supporting its Qualification Program towards increased donor pipeline development.

RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                                                                                                           

Cultivation and Stewardship

• Manage and administer CHF’s stewardship program, ensuring personalized and cadenced communications and benefit fulfillment for individual donors/members, corporate funders, and sponsors.
• Support and contribute to a year-round engagement calendar, collaboratively ensuring monthly touchpoints (cultivation, stewardship, and large-scale appeals) in support of contributed revenue goals and expenses.
  • Build out segmented Mailchimp email campaigns in support of appeals and program announcements.
• Collaborate with the Development team and Marketing (as needed) to streamline communications, developing systems that strengthen donor engagement and are high touch, but low lift.
• Provide personal member/donor service for program ticketing, RSVPs and questions.

Fundraising and Cultivation Events

• Collaborate with Development, Programming, and Production teams to produce and manage CHF’s annual Benefit each Fall.
• Manage other donor-related events and offerings, such as Meet & Greets, receptions, salons, and pre/post program gatherings.
• Project manage event budgets, underwriting, sponsorship, table and/or ticket sales, RSVPs, in-kind contributions, and production needs.
  

Pipeline Development: Qualification Program

• Collaborate on and support CHF’s Qualification Program with the Associate Director of Individual Giving and Director of Development.
• Optimize screening data and donor interest through a set series of calls and emails resulting in:
  • Pipeline movement to membership and donor categories
  • Increased support with upward mobility
  • Relationship management activation of other team members

Administration

• Support Board Governance and Development Committees, attend meetings, draft minutes (as needed) for the Executive Director and Director of Development.
• Ensure accuracy of and sign acknowledgement letters for the Benefit’s ticket sales and donations >$3,000, letters will be created and mailed by Development Database and Operations Manager.
• Review weekly reports to ensure data accuracy and needed donor outreach.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–4 years of previous event management, fundraising and/or annual fund experience required
• Creative, resourceful and results oriented
• Adaptable and flexible in fast paced environment, able to multitask, prioritize and meet deadlines simultaneously
• Best practices knowledge of donor moves management and systems
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, while also working collaboratively as a team member
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Finds joy in the details—excellent organizational skills
• Experience with Raiser's Edge (or Tessitura) and Mailchimp preferred
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position with a salary of $60,000 based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include 100% health coverage (general, dental, vision), 403b, life insurance, short and long-term disability, parental leave, a commuter spending plan, as well as accrued time paid time off at the rate of 17 days for this fiscal year. The Festival is also closed for 10 observed holidays and allows for 1 floating religious holiday, in addition to winter break (Christmas Day through New Year day) as time off.

WORK LOCATION AND COVID-19 POLICIES

We anticipate working in a hybrid model with two to three days in office and other days worked remotely. While working remotely, you will have access to a laptop computer and a $25 per pay period ($50/month) stipend to offset home internet and personal phone expenses.

As part of our commitment to providing a healthy and safe workplace, CHF is requiring employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 within the first week of employment. If a vaccination is not possible, a request for a medical or religious exemption can be made with Human Resources.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION

The Festival is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion across every aspect of the institution. As a workplace, we are committed to creating an environment in which all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and policies. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

This commitment extends to the Festival’s programming with neighborhood-based partnerships (specifically on Chicago’s South Side in Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Englewood, and South Shore), and cultivating a society in which social justice and equity are paramount.

TO APPLY

Email your cover letter and resume to developmentjobs@chicagohumanities.org by June 3, 2022. Please know that we won’t consider incomplete materials or those received through a different channel. Please format subject lines as follows: 2022 Engagement Manager: [Your Name].

Candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified via email. No phone calls, please. We look forward to reviewing your materials. Thank you!