Senior Director External Relations, Chicago

Requirements

• 8-10+ years of experience in fundraising, partnerships, or external relations, with increasing scope of responsibility
• Experience leading multi-stream revenue strategies (corporate, foundation, individual, and/or public funding)
• Demonstrated success securing and managing high-value gifts and partnerships, including six- and seven-figure investments
• Experience engaging and activating boards or senior volunteer leaders
• Experience working within federated or national-regional organizational structures, with the ability to translate enterprise strategy into locally relevant market strategies
• Demonstrated ability to balance local ownership with national alignment, navigating complexity and influencing across teams and stakeholders
• Mindset of an adaptive leader, with a willingness to build, iterate, and flex as the organization grows and changes, regardless of title or hierarchy
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complexity without relying on fixed answers or rigid structures
• Experience taking initiative, managing ambiguity, and making sound, high-impact decisions
• Proven ability to operate as an external ambassador and build relationships with senior stakeholders, including executives, board members, and civic leaders
• Strategic thinker who can translate vision into execution and measurable results
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

Additional Information

iMentor is seeking a strategic, externally oriented leader to serve as Senior Director of External Relations in Chicago. This role is responsible for advancing regional revenue, strengthening iMentor's presence in the market, and building partnerships that expand opportunity for young people. Reporting to iMentor's VP of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships, the Senior Director will lead the execution of a comprehensive external relations strategy across philanthropy, corporate partnerships, government engagement, and brand visibility. They will serve as a key representative of iMentor in the Chicago region, cultivating relationships with funders, civic leaders, and institutional partners, and activating the Regional Board as a driver of revenue, engagement, and network expansion. This role operates at the intersection of national strategy and execution, working in close partnership with national philanthropy and marketing & communications teams, as well as regional leadership, to translate enterprise priorities into effective regional strategies and outcomes.

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