Chief Advancement Officer

Duties: Under the supervision of the Director of Peoria Zoo & Luthy Botanical Garden, the Chief Advancement Officer is responsible for:

• Fundraising Leadership: 
  • Providing oversight of all of PZS’s development activities.
  • Developing and implementing fundraising strategies focused first on a phased Peoria Zoo capital campaign with a total of goal in excess of $30M, building in long-term development principals to grow and maintain relationships with donors around annual giving, planned giving, special events, and major donor cultivation.
  • Building and maintaining relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and community stakeholders.
  • Ensuring attainment of the organization’s fundraising development goals through effective fundraising practices.
  • Setting and achieving annual fundraising goals in collaboration with the PZS Board. Oversees membership services and monitors the adequacy of activities with staff, appropriate committees, and the governing body.
  • Leads the major gift program (discovery, cultivation, solicitation)
• Donor Stewardship:
  • Designing and overseeing a robust donor stewardship program to enhance donor retention and increase giving levels.
  • Overseeing the acknowledgment and recognition of donors through personalized communication, reports, and events.
  • Acting as the primary spokesperson for PZS to communicate its impact and build strong donor connections.
• Operational Oversight:
  • Providing leadership and oversight for PZS’s day-to-day operations, including budgeting, financial management, and administrative tasks.
  • Developing and managing PZS’s annual operating budget with the Finance Committee, while ensuring compliance with nonprofit regulations, donor intent, and PZS policies.
  • Supervising and mentoring development and administrative staff, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Board Engagement:
  • Partnering with PZS Board to support governance, strategy, and fundraising efforts.
  • Preparing reports and presentations to inform the board of progress toward goals, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Assisting in recruiting, onboarding, and training board members to enhance their engagement and effectiveness.
• Marketing and Communications:
  • Coordinating with PPD Marketing Staff, in collaboration with the PZS Marketing Committee (or internal resources), to develop messaging and materials for fundraising campaigns, events, and donor outreach.
  • Ensuring consistent and compelling communication with stakeholders, using appropriate vehicles such as newsletters, social media, impact reports, and others.
  • Serving as a PZS, PPD, and Zoo representative at community events, media engagements, and other opportunities to enhance the visibility of all organizations
• District-Wide Sustainability & Revenue Diversification:
  • Collaborating with PPD leadership to identify and implement innovative revenue streams, such as earned income opportunities, corporate partnerships, or membership programs.
  • Working with internal teams to strengthen the fundraising infrastructure and elevate the fundraising team’s sophistication to maximize event revenue, increase member to donor conversion rate, and enhance identification and cultivation of major gift prospects.
• Following all safety procedures that pertain to the duties performed.
• Supporting all aspects of the Park District’s safety program.
• Performing all other duties as required and as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard.
• Ability to maintain close concentration for extended periods of time.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. Although a degree is preferred, extensive experience in a like position with similar duties and responsibilities may be substituted for all or part of the educational programs.

Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or related fields, with a proven track record of success in major gift cultivation and capital campaigns.  Supervisory experience, including managing staff and volunteers.

Knowledge and Ability:

• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and build relationships with donors, corporations, board members, staff, and community partners. 
• Exhibits confidence when cultivating and asking for support. 
• Effective strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing fundraising campaigns, individual/major and planned giving programs, and overseeing fundraising events.
• Proven mastery of donor management systems and financial software.
• High level of organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to interact with diverse populations.  Must be dependable, courteous, and able to work with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Ability to be professional, respectful, accountable, innovative, to follow safety procedures, and be equitable to both internal and external customers
• Understanding of basic philosophies underlying a sound community zoological program and the ability to interpret that philosophy to donors, staff, and the public.
• Ability to recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate employees.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Illinois State Class B driver's license.

Benefits and Perks:

• Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays.
• Longevity bonus program and wellness program.
• Pension and retirement programs and Social Security participating.
• Exceptional health plan.
• Paid Life Insurance.
• Disability Insurance.
• Full-time employees and dependents enjoy discounted recreation classes and free admission to select Park District facilities.

The Peoria Park District hires without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, protected veteran status, or on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.