 Director of Development

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) announces an immediate opening for Director of Development. The Director of Development is responsible for crafting and executing successful strategies for managing and increasing the foundation, corporate and government revenue of CYSO. The Director of Development will report to and work closely with the Executive Director in developing solicitation, prospecting, and stewardship strategies to meet (and exceed) budgeted revenue goals. They will also work alongside the Board of Directors to develop and advance stronger corporate partnerships for the organization. 

WHO WE ARE 

CYSO’s mission is to inspire and cultivate personal excellence through music. As one of the country’s leading youth orchestras, we offer a continuum of programs that serve young musicians 6-18 years old through on-site ensembles, neighborhood programming, and concerts serving Chicago Public Schools students and the entire Chicagoland community. Each season, we serve 600 young musicians in weekly rehearsals and multiple performances at a variety of area venues, including Symphony Center, and an additional 8,500 students and families through community programming. Bi-annually, CYSO students perform in a multi-city, international tour.  

In 2026, CYSO will be celebrating its landmark 80th anniversary. Since its inception in 1946, it has grown from a single orchestra to 14 large ensembles (including symphonic, jazz, and steel pan orchestras), over a dozen chamber ensembles, composition seminars, and a major commissioning project. Its programming also includes the CYSO@CPS program, as well as Ambassador and Education concerts across the city of Chicago. We are entering a pivotal moment as we develop a new strategic plan that will define the next great era of CYSO’s historic legacy. Our team is small but mighty and filled with dedicated professionals who are passionate about the arts and raising the next generation of creative professionals.  

WE BELIEVE 

We believe unimpeded access to great music is a right for all young musicians and audiences. It is our responsibility to create pathways to reach systemically marginalized communities and to engage in the ongoing learning needed to create and maintain a space of belonging for all. We care deeply for our CYSO community of students and families, past, present, and future.  
We believe that a high functioning work culture requires not only dedication, commitment, and efficiency, but also rest, healthy relationships, and open communication.  
Workloads can vary throughout the season, and we encourage intense periods to be balanced with “comp” time off.  
We encourage our team to observe normal work hours to maintain healthy boundaries between work and personal time, but we also understand that people have varying work rhythms according to their individual preferences and roles. 
We are a small staff, and our work is highly collaborative. Our work thrives when there is clear communication, mutually understood and observed timelines, and sincere efforts to hear all viewpoints, even if opposing. We allow the space for harm to be acknowledged and for healing to flourish in moments of misunderstandings. 
We encourage our team to actively pursue their career ambitions by finding opportunities for professional development and continually cultivating their pursuit of best practices in their respective fields. 
We celebrate a diverse team of cultures, personalities, and thought. We neither believe in nor hold expectations of assimilating into a prescribed culture. We actively seek to learn from one another and embrace the changes that come from truly listening to all perspectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE 

Leadership 
Report to and work alongside the Executive Director, and partner with the Board and Finance department to align revenue budget with operational and special funding needs (campaign, endowment, etc.) 
Contribute to the strategic thinking and planning needed to build a more vibrant and sustainable organization 
Oversee organizational fundraising messaging and serve as primary liaison to marketing and external communications consultants, including graphic designers. 
Manage the successful execution of foundation, corporate, and government solicitations to meet the budgeted goals 
Accountable for development department success against budget, using calendar and plan-driven metrics 
Serve as the key staff liaison for the Board and its committees related to fundraising, with support from the Office Administrator 
Draft and submit grant applications and final reports. Ensure timely submission of all proposals, reports and other funder required materials, and support as needed with additional writing, etc. 
Oversee the development team which includes an Individual Giving Manager, Database manager, and Marketing Coordinator.
Contribute to the annual gala's success through solicitation of corporate sponsors, foundations, and other organizations, maximizing the event's fundraising potential 
Engagement 
Craft profiles, reports, meeting briefs and other materials as needed to support the goals and objectives of CYSO in maintaining existing and prospective funding sources 
Work to broaden the funder pool through continuing prospect research, cultivation and stewardship 
Build and maintain relationships with all institutional funders 
Guide CYSO’s efforts to deepen our engagement with the donor community, using leadership, board and other organizational relationships 
Represent CYSO as needed in the funding community and as a forward-facing partner to the leadership team 
Development Team members participate in front-of-house management of all concerts, as needed

A detail-oriented, entrepreneurial fundraising professional with exceptional written and verbal communication skills, the Director of Development will be a collaborative and creative team player with: 

Experience 
4-6 years of experience in institutional giving with a proven track record of successful engagement, solicitation and stewardship 
A keen understanding of the Chicago and broader funding landscape, and an active interest in identifying, building and maintaining funder relationships 
Knowledge of tax implications in philanthropic giving
Experience partnering with leadership, board and other constituencies in thinking creatively about how to strengthen funder relationships 
Demonstrated success in grant-writing (please provide writing sample) 
Data 
Proficiency in (or ability to quickly learn) CRM (Patron Manager/Salesforce preferred), Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, and other project management and creative software applications. Instrumentl is available for the team as well. 
Skills and Interests 
Flexibility and Inclusion: Welcomes diverse approaches to work, adapting to and respecting varied work styes and perspectives. Embraces change and collaborates effectively with all members of our community 
Learning: Eager to acquire new skills and adapt to evolving processes. Values problem-solving and innovation, demonstrating a commitment to personal and organizational growth 
Organization: Utilizes various strategies for managing tasks, priorities and resources effectively. Open to individuals with different organizational methods that keep our office efficient and responsive 
Communication: Prioritizes clear, respectful and adaptable communication methods to ensure understanding and cooperation among team members, stakeholders and our wider community 
Skill in problem-solving, relationship building, collaboration and organizational engagement 
The ability to be a self-directed, collaborative team player 
A passion for the arts, education and other key elements of CYSO’s mission 
A tireless interest in advancing the organization’s capacity and the ability to advocate for the future of music education 
Deep creative thinking and writing skills, allowing them to serve as the key staff person in ensuring broad, accurate representation of CYSO’s mission and evolving strategic plans

WORK LIFE 

The Director of Development position is an administrative position. CYSO’s administrative work week is Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. (Its artistic programming is typically on Tuesday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays.) This is a hybrid position that requires a minimum of 3 days in the office. On occasion, this role requires additional weekends or evenings as needed to support concerts and fundraising events like the annual gala.  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS   

CYSO offers a competitive salary and a hybrid option (in–office minimum 3 days per week) during normal work hours, Monday–Friday, 9am to 5pm. On occasion, the Director of Development may be asked to support concerts and other such functions on certain scheduled weekends. 

$75,000 -$85,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience and expertise. 
Health/dental insurance, 80% premium paid by employer for employee coverage 
403(b) retirement savings plan with employer contribution up to 5% match after one year 
10 vacation, up to 10 personal (paid time off), and 9 federal holiday days per year. Additionally, the office is closed the last week of the year.

APPLICATION PROCESS   

To apply, please visit cyso.org/apply to submit your cover letter and resume. No phone calls please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The successful candidate(s) will proceed onto each progressive step:  

Initial submission of resume, cover letter, and writing sample 
Zoom conversation with the Executive Director and key members of the staff and/or Board of Directors 
In person interview with the Executive Director and key members of the staff and/or Board of Directors 
Phone conversations with referrals and background check of the final candidate

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras’ dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is inseparable from our commitment to musical excellence. We value the unique role and contribution of every team member and recognize the importance of a staff that reflects our students' experience and background to equip them to excel as the next generation of leaders. CYSO staff regularly participate in antiracism, anti-bias, and other EDI training and actively seek candidates for all artistic and administrative roles who are equipped and committed to furthering this work. CYSO is an equal opportunity employer.  

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

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Director of Development