Director of Institutional Giving

DEPARTMENT: Development

REPORTS TO: Sr. Director of Institutional Giving

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

SALARY: $90,000 - $100,000

LOCATION: Chicago - Hybrid

TIME COMMITMENT: Flexibility to attend occasional evening or weekend donor events.

POSITION OVERVIEW: Shedd Aquarium is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as Director of Institutional Giving—an exciting opportunity to shape and expand our corporate giving program at one of Chicago’s most beloved cultural institutions. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategies to secure major support from corporate and foundation partners in alignment with Shedd’s mission and priorities. Managing one team member, the Director plays a key role in growing and diversifying our philanthropic revenue by cultivating lasting institutional relationships and driving strategic funding opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Corporate and Foundation Fundraising
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward institutional donors, with an emphasis on multi-year corporate memberships and sponsorships, and foundation grants, at the $50,000+ level. 
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of corporate and foundation prospects, aligning proposals with Shedd’s strategic priorities and funders' interests, while effecting quick wins to grow the corporate program. 
• Partner with senior leadership and program staff to craft compelling proposals and funder presentations. 
• Manage proposal development and grant writing processes, including budgets and reporting requirements. 
• Identify and cultivate new corporate partners while growing existing relationships. 
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving, build out a long-term strategy for increased on ongoing corporate support.
• Portfolio Development and Management 
• Lead and manage a portfolio of 50+ institutional donors and prospects, maintaining accurate records in the donor database. 
• Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies to increase institutional support. 
• Oversee prospect research and recommend new opportunities to expand institutional giving. 
• Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management 
• Implement customized stewardship plans, ensuring timely and impactful recognition, reporting, and relationship development. 
• Collaborate with the Events and Engagement team on institutional donor experiences, events, and sponsorship activations. 
• Serve as a primary liaison with corporate partners and foundation program officers, representing Shedd in meetings and events. 
• Collaboration and Leadership 
• Coordinate with program, education, and conservation teams to stay current on organizational priorities and secure funding for strategic initiatives. 
• Provide mentorship and oversight to institutional giving staff. 
• Partner with marketing and communications teams to create co-branded materials and sponsorship benefits packages. 
• Manage two employees at the Manager level to help grow skills around solicitation, relationship management, and stewardship.
• Reporting and Analytics 
• Track, analyze, and report on the performance of institutional fundraising strategies. 
• Ensure compliance with grant and sponsorship agreements, including timely submission of reports and deliverables. 
• Provide regular pipeline updates and revenue forecasts to senior leadership. 

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) required; advanced degree or fundraising certification(s) a plus.

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on corporate and foundation relations.
• Proven track record in securing and managing six- and seven-figure institutional gifts, especially in corporate giving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong proposal writing and budget development experience.
• Ability to develop strategic relationships with funders and collaborate across departments.
• Proficiency in donor management systems (Tessitura preferred), Microsoft Office Suite, and CRM/reporting tools.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail. 
• Ability to lift 20 pounds, sit, stand, stoop, and walk. 

Preferred Skills: 

• Experience in sponsorship sales or cause marketing. 
• Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) trends and foundation funding landscapes. 
• Experience managing government grant applications.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental Insurance 
• Accrued Paid Time Off 
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays 
• Life Insurance 
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive 
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Tickets 

Reasonable Accommodations: 

Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at [email protected] .

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.