Job Information
City of Chicago SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR in Chicago, Illinois
Description:
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS (DCASE)
Finance and Development Division
Number of Positions: 1
(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $74,244
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 03/20/202 5
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago.
DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.
The Sponsorship Coordinator position in DCASE Finance and Development Division is primarily responsible for implementing strategies to solicit and secure funding (grants) for DCASE’s initiatives, programs, and events. This position also facilitates the execution of grants in adherence to terms and conditions of the agreement and prepares accurate and complex reporting as required. In this capacity, the position will perform the following:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Solicits foundations, external corporations, as well as other institutions for philanthropic support to bring in revenue and/or budget offsetting items through grants, cash, and in-kind goods/services for DCASE
Implements the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of portfolios in accordance with established standards by developing significant fundraising opportunities and contacts
Identifies sources of restricted and unrestricted funding, researches funding trends, launches creative development initiatives, produces specialized fundraising correspondence and acknowledgements, and conducts in-person visits with the goal of forging prospects and networks of long-term relationships, deepening existing relationships, and uncovering new opportunities for partnerships
Expands solicitation efforts by researching and identifying potential funding opportunities aligned with DCASE’s mission and goals. Develops, writes, and executes proposals and other funding sources including, writes grants, creates lists of funding opportunities and manages the development calendar and donor database
Serves as a liaison and contact for funders, plans, and attends meetings, receptions, hospitality and appreciation events, and other donor and fundraising activities, and responds to inquiries and resolves issues or problems
Negotiates grant agreements and writes comprehensive reports with narrative and statistical components on program status and effectiveness
Works with Partnerships and Marketing divisions to create DCASE programs/projects marketing materials that are targeted to foundations and other potential funders requiring outcomes and evaluations
Establishes and cultivates relationships with current and prospective donors
Coordinates, attends, and assists with hospitality or appreciation events for donors, as requested
Performs other related duties as assigned
Additional duties may be required for this position.
NOTE : The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to positions within the class.
LOCATION: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
78 E Washington St, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 60602
HOURS: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday
Must be able to work some early mornings, evenings, and weekends
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Humanities, Education or a directly related field, plus three years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorships or developing recruitment strategies; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
Equivalencies
I have at least seven years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorships, or developing recruitment strategies
I have an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Humanities, Education or a directly related field, PLUS at least five years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorships or developing recruitment strategies
I have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Humanities, Education or a directly related field, PLUS at least three years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorships or developing recruitment strategies
I have a Master’s Degree or Doctorate from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Humanities, Education or a directly related field, PLUS at least two years of work experience in sales, securing sponsorships or developing recruitment strategies
NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma at the time of processing
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise and/or a skills assessment test as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.
Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:
Bachelor’s degree or above in Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Communications, English, Philanthropic Studies or Nonprofit Management
Experience with fundraising (development)
Experience writing grant proposals and soliciting major gifts (grant writing)
Experience working at large organizations and/or multi-layered organizations, such as art museums, universities, government agencies, or national non-profits
Experience working with diverse communities and people with diverse background
Ability to write and speak Spanish fluently
Knowledge: Fundraising and major gift best practices and trends. Major gift solicitation. Grant proposals. Prospect research. Sources and activities associated with government, foundation, and individual donors. Communications/marketing strategies and materials (related to successful fundraising). Policy/procedure development. Financial knowledge (budget, accounting, and tax). Donor databases.
Abilities: Ability to assess situations, identify needs and build supporting organizational infrastructure. Ability to structure and lead intra- and inter-departmental informational and working meetings. Ability to work across departments, divisions, and staff levels to create and implement new policies, processes, and procedures. Ability to lead complex problem-solving situations with various city departments. Ability to successfully prepare and submit grant proposals and reports. Ability to organize departmental workflows.
Skills: Strong effective writing skills. Grant writing skills. Excellent grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills; computer skills with proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet research. Leadership, analytical, problem-solving, communications, project management, relationship, and collaborative skills. Budget development and expenditure tracking skills.
Other Requirements: Must be able to work some early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Working Conditions: General office environment, using standard office equipment. Some outdoors in inclement weather during festivals, programs, events.
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here. (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/provdrs/emp.html)
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor