We are currently hiring for an Associate and Development Director. Please review these roles and apply using the links included below.

About MPC

Dedicated to shaping a better, bolder, more equitable future for everyone, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) believes that every neighborhood has promise. Every community should be heard. And every person can thrive. Since 1934, this independent, nonpartisan organization has served metropolitan Chicago’s communities and residents to change perceptions, reimagine conversations, and defy the status quo. Through thoughtful collaboration with local communities, businesses, and governments, MPC is a bold change-maker, addressing the region’s toughest planning and development challenges. We believe that strong partnerships rooted in respect and trust are critical to creative and effective problem-solving. 

MPC is a values-driven workplace, and we are seeking candidates with a demonstrated commitment to creating a region that is:

• Equitable: For MPC, equity means that every individual and community in our region has the opportunities they need to thrive. Promoting equity means that we recognize the harm that discrimination and racism have caused and continue to pose to our lives and neighborhoods. That’s why we drive policies, investments and ideas that ensure all current and future residents can reach their full potential.
• Prosperous: For MPC, prosperity means that both metropolitan Chicago and all of its people are economically healthy and prepared for growth. MPC is focused on ensuring that everyone who lives and works in our region can provide for themselves and their families. We support commitments that bring resources, development, and fairly paid and quality jobs to all communities.
• Sustainable: For MPC, sustainability means that our region meets the natural, human and financial needs of the present while improving conditions for future generations. MPC’s agenda supports ecological vitality, residents’ health and economic stability for the long term, and ensures that as things change, our region adapts.
• Engaged and Responsible: For MPC, civic participation and effective government are cornerstones of our region’s viability. We drive policies that strengthen the participation and impact of residents in local and regional decisions. We also promote adaptive, collaborative, just and transparent governance at all levels.

Position Title Associate

Location Chicago Loop (Hybrid)

Job Description

The Associate will support MPC’s program team and will work to advance projects across thriving communities, equitable infrastructure, and just public systems portfolios.  The position will report to the Senior Director and also work closely with others on staff in multi-disciplinary project teams.

 Scope of Role

The Associate will support research, advocacy, and project coordination for a range of initiatives that advance MPC’s policy development and technical assistance work. The Associate performs task management in support of projects, managing internal and external scheduling and communications to project partners, conducts foundational research, provides meeting summaries and documentation, and well as supports tracking project outcomes.

 Key Responsibilities

• Project coordination and administrative support for projects that advance and prioritize equitable investment and development, participatory planning, and inclusive economic development.
• Supports education and development of economic impact tools such as the ETOD Social Impact Calculator, Equitable Financial Incentives tool, and Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Scorecard
• Conducts stakeholder outreach and engagement, meeting management, and documentation and tracking project outcomes
• Conducts research including literature reviews and environmental scans on specific issues as well as analysis of local and state policy and relevant best practices in policy and implementation
• Collects and synthesizes quantitative and qualitative data findings
• Engages in advocacy activities including developing and delivering testimony, and interacting with lawmakers, other public officials, and advocacy organizations. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

MPC seeks an individual who thrives in a collegial work environment, is proactive, and can manage multiple priorities. Given the nature of our work and the demands associated with remote and social-distanced working models, the Associate will need to be a nimble and creative team member with the emotional intelligence, compassion, patience, sense of humor, and interpersonal communication skills to test and embrace new ways of working. The ideal candidate has at least two years of relevant professional experience in a policy-oriented organization working on built environment issues. Has an academic and/or professional background in public policy, advocacy, urban planning, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, architecture and design, or community development.

 Education & Experience

• At least two years of relevant experience supporting policy or programmatic initiatives
• Demonstrated project management and time management skills in successful completion of projects
• A bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, urban planning or other relevant fields is preferred, with a postgraduate degree highly desirable. Depth of experience may be substituted for formal or degree certification
• Experience in the field of commercial or community development or strong knowledge of the development process is preferred
• Experience with Arc GIS and mapping tools is preferred, but not required

 MPC is a collaborative organization.  This is a hybrid position in which employees work at least twice a week from our Chicago Headquarters, with remote work offered up to three days a week. Travel is expected to be local as needed with future travel expectations to shift based on safe travel advisory and business needs.

Compensation and Benefits:

The Salary range for this position is $56,700-$62,000.

For the 2023 Benefit year, Metropolitan Planning Council’s robust and competitive compensation package for new full-time employees includes covering approximately 80% of the employee premium for health benefits, 100% of the employee premium for dental benefits, and Disability and Life insurance. Additionally, MPC provides all full-time employees with a hybrid work environment, office and floating holidays, parental leave, up to five weeks of accrued vacation, transit benefits, a professional development stipend, and access to onsite fitness center. 

Click here to apply for this position.

Job Description: Development Director

Position Summary:

The Development Director will primarily focus on meeting MPC’s financial goals, forecasting future revenue, and building relationships with donors/funders. The candidate will come to MPC with established relationships with foundations, corporations, and experience with government grants. The Director of Development leads grants management and manages the portfolio of foundation and corporate funders. The candidate will lead prospect research and identify new revenue streams. To strengthen and attract new donors/funders, the Director of Development will implement and manage the organization’s moves management program to connect with new donors and reconnect lapsed donors. The person in this position will also develop and produce special events to build and strengthen relationships with corporations, funders, and prospects and to position MPC as a leader. The Director of Development will work closely with the program teams to create proposals and other funding opportunities. The person in this role will also work together with the Marketing and Communications team to raise awareness and support through various communications channels and events.

Supervisor: Vice President of Philanthropy and Communications

Responsibilities:

Partner with the VP of Philanthropy and Communications to design and execute a strategic fundraising program to meet annual revenue goals and set the organization up for long-term sustainability.

Through prospect research, expand the pipeline of viable foundation, corporate and individual donors.

Develop and lead major gift fundraising strategies that will grow annual revenue from foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Lead grants management process; train and oversee the work of the Grants Manager.

Manage the development and maintenance of a moves management program to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, prospects, and lapsed donors utilizing Board development strategies.

Develop individual portfolios and implement new engagement strategies aimed at improving portfolio relationships, especially with individual Board members.

Lead the Development team and partner with the program teams to develop and produce special events to attract, build and strengthen relationships with corporations, executive leaders, funders, and prospective donors to generate revenue, increase support and to position MPC as a leader.

Work with Development team to create new Executive Advisor program engagement strategies.

Target corporate professional networks with funding proposals to satisfy corporate responsibility and ESG goals as a unique point of entry for new prospects.

Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to plan and execute annual fundraising events, including Annual Event, to generate revenue, raise awareness, build relationships, and convert attendees into donors.

Plan and manage direct mail and multiple email appeal campaigns per year including EOY Campaigns.

Supervise, evaluate, direct, and guide the performance of the Donor Relations Manager, Grants Manager, and the Development Assistant.

Qualifications:

• Must embrace the mission and vision of MPC.
• 7+ years of development experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Demonstrated experience developing fundraising strategies and building relationships with foundation, corporate and individual donors.
• Experience managing a team of Development professionals.
• Experience with Raisers Edge and/or other donor database management system
• Demonstrated experience leading special events.
• Ability to effectively interact with a variety of audiences, including civic, community, media, philanthropic, corporate, and government officials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Effective presentation skills
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, able to manage and deliver multiple assignments under tight deadlines.

If you are passionate about supporting MPC’s mission and have a proven track record of securing grant funding, we encourage you to apply. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as opportunities for professional growth and development.

Compensation and Benefits:  

The Salary range for this position is $97,850 - $118,450.

For the 2023 Benefit year, Metropolitan Planning Council’s robust and competitive compensation package for new full-time employees includes covering approximately 80% of the employee premium for health benefits, 100% of the employee premium for dental benefits, and Disability and Life insurance.  Additionally, MPC provides all full-time employees with a hybrid work environment, parental leave, up to five weeks of accrued vacation, transit benefits, a professional development stipend, and access to an onsite fitness center. 

Click here to apply for this position. 

EEOC/Diversity Statement: 

MPC is an equal-opportunity employer. We stay true to our mission by celebrating the differences among us. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and abilities to apply. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or retaliation of any kind and we promote a climate of mutual respect for our employees.