Development & Communications Manager at German International School Chicago — Chicago, IL

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

Overview GISC is seeking a hands-on Development & Communications Manager to strengthen fundraising initiatives, expand community engagement, and tell the stories that make our school unique. This position combines strategic thinking with day-to-day execution and offers meaningful opportunities for ownership, creativity, and professional growth.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops and implements annual fundraising plans, including Annual Fund, grants, sponsorships, major gifts, and special events.
• Plans and executes GISC’s fundraising program, including Annual Fund, Gala, sponsorships, donor cultivation activities, and special events.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors, alumni, parents, foundations, corporate partners, community organizations, and DACH partners.
• Leads donor stewardship efforts, including acknowledgement, recognition, reporting, and personalized engagement.
• Develops and produces compelling communications content across print, digital, email, website, and donor communications channels to tell GISC's story and support fundraising, enrollment, and community engagement goals.
• Identifies and pursues grant opportunities and prepares compelling proposals and reports.
• Maintains accurate donor and prospect records and tracks fundraising performance using GISC’s database.
• Collaborates with Marketing, Communications, Admissions, Enrollment, Faculty & Staff, members of the Board of Trustees including its Development Committee, the GISC Parent Group (GPG), and volunteers to unify messaging, enhance community engagement and grow the school.
• Collaborates with the Director of Marketing & Communications to ensure consistent school-wide messaging, branding, and communications, while developing storytelling and content that highlights GISC’s programs, achievements, fundraising efforts, enrollment initiatives, and community engagement.
• Provides regular reports and strategic recommendations to the Head of Administration, Head of School, and Board of Trustees on development strategy and performance, including fundraising performance, donor engagement, alumni relations, and community partnerships.
• Supports and participates in school-wide events, community activities, and volunteer engagement efforts.
• Manages and monitors GISC’s development budget.
• Ensures compliance with legal, ethical, and organizational fundraising standards and practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Specific Qualifications/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of degree or experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and German (bilingual German-English preferred).
• Two or more years of experience in development, fundraising, communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or a related field. Experience in both fundraising and strategic communications preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to develop compelling content for diverse audiences.
• Experience developing content strategies, managing digital communications, and creating communications plans across multiple channels, including web, email, social media, and print.
• Highly organized, self-driven team player who also works well independently.
• Excellent work ethic with proven ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, multi-task, and carefully proof their own work.
• Strong relationship-building and donor stewardship skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of constituents.
• Attention to detail and a strong appreciation for consistent messaging, design, and branding.
• Proficiency with donor databases/CRM systems (preferably Blackbaud), social media management, Google Workspace, and MS Office applications.