New Root
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Overview
NewRoot improves the experiences of young people by increasing the capacity of adults to grow restorative and social-emotional practices in learning environments. For over 25 years in Chicago and beyond, NewRoot has been a premiere on-the-ground partner for schools, districts, and organizations focused on ensuring all students graduate from high school equipped for college, career, and life success. Through an array of professional development offerings, NewRoot supports schools and organizations in utilizing restorative justice practices that promote self-awareness, contextual thinking, and community connectedness. For more information, please visit www.newroot.org. Position
Director, Development + Partnerships — lead our fundraising and fee-for-service revenue growth strategy. Report to the CEO and oversee a dynamic team responsible for advancing NewRoot’s visibility, expanding service partnerships, and securing philanthropic investments to support our mission and scale. The Director will design and implement a comprehensive development strategy that meets annual fundraising targets and revenue goals. They will work closely with the CEO on high-level funder and partner engagements and serve as a key driver of financial sustainability and strategic growth. This role is ideal for a visionary development leader with foundational knowledge of marketing and brand building, who excels at team management, is energized by building systems and strategies, and is passionate about education equity and social-emotional learning. Location
Frequent travel throughout the Chicagoland Area (including Far North/South Suburbs) and regionally or nationally as work expands. Typical Monday–Friday hours with ~60% remote work and ~40% community-based. We support a long-term flexible, hybrid model. NewRoot’s West Loop office is available for collaboration and culture-building. Essential duties and responsibilities
Development Strategy + Revenue Growth
Lead NewRoot’s overall strategy to meet annual revenue goals and support long-term sustainability and growth. Build and maintain strong relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and key stakeholders. Collaborate with the Partnership Development Team and Chief, Program + Impact to prepare for donor and funder meetings. Identify and pursue new funding opportunities and partnerships aligned with NewRoot’s mission and growth plans. Align fundraising strategies with programmatic goals and impact data in partnership with program and impact teams. Expand individual giving through major gifts and recurring donor initiatives. Collaborate with the CEO on major gifts and strategic funding opportunities. Partner with the Data Team to communicate NewRoot’s impact to donors, funders, and partners.
Partnership Development + Visibility
Build and maintain strategic relationships with program partners and key stakeholders to support earned revenue goals and elevate NewRoot’s visibility. Coordinate with leadership to connect partners with appropriate services and negotiate contracts as needed. Support the CEO in cultivating and managing district-/network-level partnerships. Oversee communications and media relations to ensure message alignment and strategic synergy. Contribute to marketing campaigns and fundraising and community-engagement events strategy as a subject matter expert. Co-lead brand visibility and thought leadership strategy. Engage the Board of Directors in fundraising strategy and implementation efforts. Facilitate the Board’s Development + Marketing Committee and represent NewRoot at events related to education, restorative practices, and social-emotional learning.
Team Leadership + Organizational Strategy
Center equity and inclusion in all work and interactions. Lead and coach the Partnership Development Team toward clear, ambitious goals. Develop a diverse, high-performing team and foster a culture of equity, care, excellence, accountability, and growth. Advise the executive team on earned revenue, forecasting, and revenue growth strategies. Collaborate with NewRoot leaders on strategic plans and cross-functional initiatives. Identify and address issues impacting organizational health and effectiveness. Model NewRoot’s shared agreements and participate in the organizational community. Plan and implement internal gatherings and organization-wide training related to Development, Marketing, and Partnerships.
Other
Protect organization by keeping proprietary information confidential. Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and professional organizations. Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.
Direct Reports
Associate Director, Partnership Development Manager, Partnership Development Benefits
Mission-driven, impact-focused culture with work-life balance Growth opportunities and professional development Health, dental, vision, life/short-term/long-term disability insurance 30+ paid days off per year, including restorative day and Winter Break Paid parental leave 401k plan For more about NewRoot’s benefits, please visit: https://newroot.org/careers/ Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunities
NewRoot Learning Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We value equity, curiosity, dignity, relationship, and radical love. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and will provide accommodations as needed. Requirements
Qualifications: Required
7+ years of relevant experience Fundraising experience with demonstrated results Strong self-/project-management, attention to detail and follow-through Ability to build trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders, including funders and board members Cross-team collaboration and communication skills Strong written and verbal communication; persuasive and effective public speaking Ability to navigate a fast-paced work environment Strong analytical skills and experience with a relational database (e.g., Salesforce) Advanced skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite Qualifications: Preferred
Bachelor’s degree in business development or related field Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, nonprofit management/leadership, or related field Demonstrated passion for educational equity and racial justice Social enterprise development experience Knowledge of Chicago and national landscape for restorative practices and social-emotional learning Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at NewRoot Learning Institute. Get notified about new Director of Development jobs in Chicago, IL.
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NewRoot improves the experiences of young people by increasing the capacity of adults to grow restorative and social-emotional practices in learning environments. For over 25 years in Chicago and beyond, NewRoot has been a premiere on-the-ground partner for schools, districts, and organizations focused on ensuring all students graduate from high school equipped for college, career, and life success. Through an array of professional development offerings, NewRoot supports schools and organizations in utilizing restorative justice practices that promote self-awareness, contextual thinking, and community connectedness. For more information, please visit www.newroot.org. Position
Director, Development + Partnerships — lead our fundraising and fee-for-service revenue growth strategy. Report to the CEO and oversee a dynamic team responsible for advancing NewRoot’s visibility, expanding service partnerships, and securing philanthropic investments to support our mission and scale. The Director will design and implement a comprehensive development strategy that meets annual fundraising targets and revenue goals. They will work closely with the CEO on high-level funder and partner engagements and serve as a key driver of financial sustainability and strategic growth. This role is ideal for a visionary development leader with foundational knowledge of marketing and brand building, who excels at team management, is energized by building systems and strategies, and is passionate about education equity and social-emotional learning. Location
Frequent travel throughout the Chicagoland Area (including Far North/South Suburbs) and regionally or nationally as work expands. Typical Monday–Friday hours with ~60% remote work and ~40% community-based. We support a long-term flexible, hybrid model. NewRoot’s West Loop office is available for collaboration and culture-building. Essential duties and responsibilities
Development Strategy + Revenue Growth
Lead NewRoot’s overall strategy to meet annual revenue goals and support long-term sustainability and growth. Build and maintain strong relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and key stakeholders. Collaborate with the Partnership Development Team and Chief, Program + Impact to prepare for donor and funder meetings. Identify and pursue new funding opportunities and partnerships aligned with NewRoot’s mission and growth plans. Align fundraising strategies with programmatic goals and impact data in partnership with program and impact teams. Expand individual giving through major gifts and recurring donor initiatives. Collaborate with the CEO on major gifts and strategic funding opportunities. Partner with the Data Team to communicate NewRoot’s impact to donors, funders, and partners.
Partnership Development + Visibility
Build and maintain strategic relationships with program partners and key stakeholders to support earned revenue goals and elevate NewRoot’s visibility. Coordinate with leadership to connect partners with appropriate services and negotiate contracts as needed. Support the CEO in cultivating and managing district-/network-level partnerships. Oversee communications and media relations to ensure message alignment and strategic synergy. Contribute to marketing campaigns and fundraising and community-engagement events strategy as a subject matter expert. Co-lead brand visibility and thought leadership strategy. Engage the Board of Directors in fundraising strategy and implementation efforts. Facilitate the Board’s Development + Marketing Committee and represent NewRoot at events related to education, restorative practices, and social-emotional learning.
Team Leadership + Organizational Strategy
Center equity and inclusion in all work and interactions. Lead and coach the Partnership Development Team toward clear, ambitious goals. Develop a diverse, high-performing team and foster a culture of equity, care, excellence, accountability, and growth. Advise the executive team on earned revenue, forecasting, and revenue growth strategies. Collaborate with NewRoot leaders on strategic plans and cross-functional initiatives. Identify and address issues impacting organizational health and effectiveness. Model NewRoot’s shared agreements and participate in the organizational community. Plan and implement internal gatherings and organization-wide training related to Development, Marketing, and Partnerships.
Other
Protect organization by keeping proprietary information confidential. Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and professional organizations. Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.
Direct Reports
Associate Director, Partnership Development Manager, Partnership Development Benefits
Mission-driven, impact-focused culture with work-life balance Growth opportunities and professional development Health, dental, vision, life/short-term/long-term disability insurance 30+ paid days off per year, including restorative day and Winter Break Paid parental leave 401k plan For more about NewRoot’s benefits, please visit: https://newroot.org/careers/ Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunities
NewRoot Learning Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We value equity, curiosity, dignity, relationship, and radical love. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and will provide accommodations as needed. Requirements
Qualifications: Required
7+ years of relevant experience Fundraising experience with demonstrated results Strong self-/project-management, attention to detail and follow-through Ability to build trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders, including funders and board members Cross-team collaboration and communication skills Strong written and verbal communication; persuasive and effective public speaking Ability to navigate a fast-paced work environment Strong analytical skills and experience with a relational database (e.g., Salesforce) Advanced skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite Qualifications: Preferred
Bachelor’s degree in business development or related field Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, nonprofit management/leadership, or related field Demonstrated passion for educational equity and racial justice Social enterprise development experience Knowledge of Chicago and national landscape for restorative practices and social-emotional learning Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at NewRoot Learning Institute. Get notified about new Director of Development jobs in Chicago, IL.
#J-18808-Ljbffr