Director of External Affairs

Job Description: Director of External Relations

Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Chicago, Illinois (primarily in-person, with occasional remote work, and some evening/weekend work)
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 firm, plus benefits, commensurate with experience
Organization Size: Approx. 25 staff members, annual budget $2.8 million
Application Deadline: November 25th, 2025

Organizational Background

KOCO was founded in 1965 by community and religious leaders from the communities of Kenwood and Oakland as a vehicle for grassroots democracy. KOCO is one of the oldest grassroots, Black membership-based community organizations left in the City of Chicago. Direct action community organizing is KOCO’s primary methodology for change; and is actively engaged in cutting edge, transformative and bold organizing campaigns in the issue areas of affordable housing, equitable education, youth investment, and senior rights. In recent years, KOCO’s organizing has led to: the re-opening of Dyett High School, which is now a top-performing school; the re-opening of the adult trauma center at the University of Chicago Medical Center, which has exceeded the expected numbers of patients and lives saved; and a community benefits agreement to protect low-income and working Black families in Woodlawn from displacement as a result of the real estate speculation accompanying the Obama Presidential Center.

Mission: Through the sustained engagement of low-income and working families, KOCO develops multi-generational leaders who impact decision-making processes and public policies, improving the quality of life in our local communities.

Position Description

The Director of External Relations leads fundraising for KOCO, and also helps to manage external partnerships. The Director of External Relations is a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for developing and executing key organizational strategies with external stakeholders. We are seeking a dynamic, strategic thinker and writer with excellent communication skills and a passion for community engagement to lead our external relations work and build meaningful relationships that advance our mission.

Core Responsibilities

Fundraising – 80%

· Coordinates and drives the development and implementation of fundraising strategy, including foundation fundraising, corporate fundraising, individual giving, and capital giving

· Responsible for writing grant proposals and reports for the organization, and ensures all materials are submitted on deadline

· Oversees funder relationship management in the organization, including tracking contacts with key funders, assigning relationship managers to each funder, and managing some relationships directly

· Identifies and helps to unlock new funding for the organization. Manages prospect outreach

· Trains staff in fundraising as a form of organizing, including effective fundraising practices

· Ensures the health and sufficiency of fundraising systems for the organization (CRM, grants calendar, prospect list, etc.)

· Oversees consultants and staff connected to fundraising where appropriate, and as the department grows.

Partnership Management – 10%

· Manages external partnerships with organizations and coalitions as assigned by the Executive Director

Other Organizational Work – 10%

· Participating in regular organizational events

Qualifications

Required:

· At least 3 years of fundraising experience, with increasing levels of responsibility.

· At least 2 years of management experience

· At least 1 year of rigorous community organizing experience as an organizer or trained community leader

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Demonstrated success in cultivating donor and partner relationships.

· Understanding of and commitment to racial equity, and a willingness to see community residents as equal partners in the work.

· Experience working with any CRM or donor management system (KOCO uses PowerBase CiviCRM).

Preferred:

· Previous experience working in neighborhood Chicago, including familiarity with KOCO’s service area

· Experience in communications and/or finance

To apply, email resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include in your cover letter a description of your organizing experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person