Regional Director of Development, Fox River Valley
The Salvation Army
78k - 95k USD/year
Office
Joliet, IL, United States
Full Time
THE SALVATION ARMY
NORTH & CENTRAL ILLINOIS DIVISION
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Regional Director of Development, Fox River Valley
REPORTS TO: Regional Senior Director of Development, Chicago Region
PEOPLE MANAGER:YES
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
PAY GRADE: 410
PAY RANGE: $77,710-$95,195
WHO WE ARE
At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to Doing the Most Good. We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for kids after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.
JOB SUMMARY
Lead development efforts for the Fox River Valley Corps (St. Charles, Joilet and Aurora Corps) aligning fundraising activities with divisional and industry standards for ethical and impactful donor engagement. Utilize divisional and industry resources to advance professional growth and establish best practices in donor relations and stewardship that will enhance and support the mission delivery throughout the region.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead major gifts and planned giving strategy within the Fox River Valley region ensuring ethical and effective practices in all areas are aligned with divisional and industry standards.
- Cultivate and sustain relationships with key donors and community partners, fostering inclusivity and transparency.
- Provide recommended staffing structure and ultimately strategic leadership to local fundraising team members, implementing best practices for donor engagement and stewardship.
- Assist local leadership throughout the region in planning and executing fundraising events and campaigns with a focus on ethical standards and effectiveness.
- Monitor and support local fundraising efforts, leveraging divisional, territorial and industry resources to offer coaching and professional development.
- Collaborate with divisional and territorial leadership on high-level donor strategies and multi-regional initiatives.
- Serve as a liaison and provide strategic leadership to Advisory Board committees, as assigned.
- In contacts related to this position’s duties, act as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.
ADDITIONAL FOCUS AREAS
Portfolio Management
- Evaluate and assign prospects and donors at various giving levels to individual portfolios.
- Tailor portfolio sizes (ranging from 25 to 200) based on organizational priorities, engagement strategies, and team capacity.
Fundraising Campaigns
- Solicit and steward prospects and donors to secure funding for:
- Annual operations and capacity-building initiatives
- Capital projects
- Long-term sustainability efforts
Foundations and Corporate Relations
- Forge partnerships to support services and generate funding for annual operations, capacity building, and capital projects and work to align with broader Divisional Corporate Engagement practices.
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide mentorship and professional development to corps fundraising/ community engagement personnel to cultivate a high performance, mission focused team.
- Plan, direct, and supervise assigned staff.
- Conduct performance evaluations, and make recommendations regarding compensation, hiring and termination decisions, in alignment with organizational policies and standards.
OTHER DUTIES
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Experience: 7+ years of experience in development, particularly in major gifts and planned giving in the Chicago market. Strong communication skills and commitment to ethical fundraising practices, in line with divisional and industry standards.
Licenses/Certifications:
- Required Licenses: Valid State Driver’s License
- Preferred Certifications: Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)
Skills/Abilities:
- Proficiency with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) software systems
- Ability to make strategic, data informed decisions to influence fundraising outcomes and donor relations.
- A willingness to promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
JOB LIMITATIONS
- This individual will only commit Salvation Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
- This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.
Travel
- Limited travel within the Chicago geographic area as needed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
- This position is required to do light physical work and must be able to lift 10 pounds.
- In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is required to use standard office equipment and a PC.
- Will be required to regularly drive to Salvation Army Corps and Institutions.
- The work environment for this position is an office environment with a low to moderate noise level.
COMPETENCIES
- Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
- Resolve conflicts in a positive manner.
- Treat staff, clients, and visitors with courtesy.
- Respect others’ property and person.
- Use professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates.
- Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved as well as the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.
Qualifications
DOING THE MOST GOOD
Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world? The Salvation Army is the fourth largest charity in the United States and is an international organization based on Biblical principles created to help people in need. We are mission-driven, diverse, collaborative, and focused on positive results for people. Join us in making a difference.
The Salvation Army offers a competitive benefit package for eligible employees which may include the following medical, dental, vision, hearing, disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, a company-funded defined contribution (pension) plan and generous time off policies.
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources department.
The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minority/Female/Veterans/Disabled. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.
Regional Director of Development, Fox River Valley
Office
Joliet, IL, United States
Full Time
78k - 95k USD/year
August 12, 2025