Director, Development and Foundation Programs

Chicago Fire - Director

Chicago · IL

Foundation/Community Relations

$85,000 - $100,000 / year

days ago

The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups; as well as the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield. The Club’s charitable arm, the Chicago Fire Foundation, was recognized as ESPN’s 2019 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year and has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland, providing over $10 million back to the community.

The Club recently announced plans to build a $750M+ privately financed downtown stadium in Chicago in 2028. The stadium will anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, the 78, a 62-acre development and entertainment district located along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road. For more information on our bold plans, visit DearChicago.com.

Additionally, the Club recently opened the state-of-the-art $100M Endeavor Health Performance Center in March 2025 that has set the standard for North American training facilities. With tremendous growth and expansion, the Club is laying the foundation for an audacious and ambitious vision that will transform the brand and the company in the coming years.

At Chicago Fire FC, we’re on a mission to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago by delivering excellence on and off the pitch to ensure a world-class experience. As a club we let our values guide everything we do: we uphold uncompromising integrity, show respect for all at all times, never settle for less, constantly innovate, and hold ourselves relentlessly accountable.

Position Overview:
The Director of Development and Foundation Programs provides direction for all fundraising, development, and programmatic initiatives of the Chicago Fire Foundation (CFF). This role will drive sustainable growth through diverse fundraising streams, innovative programming, and meaningful community partnerships that advance the Foundation’s mission to build a stronger, more inclusive Chicago.

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader, skilled fundraiser, and collaborative partner who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The Director, Development and Foundation Programs will report directly to the VP, Community Relations/Executive Director, Chicago Fire Foundation.

Job Responsibilities:

Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing individual, corporate,and foundation giving; grants; sponsorships; and special events.
Cultivate and steward donor, partner, and sponsor relationships to expand the Foundation’s network and revenue base.
Lead planning and execution of key fundraising events (e.g., Foundation Luncheon, White Party, etc.) with excellence.
Oversee fundraising communications to strengthen visibility, storytelling, and impact.
Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all Foundation programs, including P.L.A.Y.S. and other signature initiatives.
Oversee data collection, tracking, and reporting to measure program outcomes and fundraising performance.
Serve as primary liaison to the Foundation Board Chair and Board of Directors, including oversight of meeting agendas, communications, and reporting.
Assist with oversight of department finances and fundraising including CFF budget management, forecasting, and revenue/expense tracking.
Supervise and mentor Foundation staff, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven culture providing professional development and accountability for team members.
Work cross-functionally to integrate Foundation initiatives with broader club and community engagement strategies.
Complete other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

6-8 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or program leadership.
Minimum 3 years of people management experience.
Proven track record in securing significant gifts, sponsorships, and grants.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Highly organized and detail oriented with the ability to work independently.
Strong project management, leadership, and budgeting skills.
Passion for community impact and alignment with the values and mission of Chicago Fire.
Ability to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, including all home games (or other work events) that fall on nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:

Spanish language fluency
Bachelor’s degree in related field
Advanced degree or nonprofit management certification
Deep understanding of the Chicago philanthropic and community landscape
Experience working in a fast paced or start up environment

Compensation:

This role offers a salary range of $85,000-$100,000 Final salary is determined by carefully considering the applicant's background, experience, and qualifications. Base pay may vary significantly based on geographic location, job-specific knowledge, skills, and overall experience. This role is classified as Full-time, exempt.
This role is bonus eligible based on club-wide goals
Additional benefits & perks: Official Chicago Fire FC Website.

Please note:

Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.
CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
- If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact the People and Culture Department at [email protected] to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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Job Questions:

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
What is your desired salary range for this position?
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?
How many years of experience do you have in non-profit/community development?

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