{"id":1136084,"url":"https://alion.io/job/lambda-legal-regional-development-director-chicago-lambda-legal","title":"Regional Development Director - Chicago - Lambda Legal","company":{"id":1048727,"name":"Lambda Legal","domain":"lambdalegal.org","url":"https://alion.io/company/lambda-legal","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"is_intermediary":false,"ats_vendor":"JazzHR","truth_index":null},"role":"Legal","role_family":"Legal","seniority":"head","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":[],"countries":[],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":125000,"max":145000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":145000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-23T08:13:31Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-23","last_verified_at":"2026-09-23T11:13:44Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"Position: Regional Development Director\nDepartment: Development\nOffice Location: Chicago, IL\nWork Type Designation: Hybrid. This role must report to the office at least 3 days per week.\nReports to: National Director of Individual Philanthropy\nUnion Status: This is not a union position.\nAnnual Salary Range: $125,000 - 145,000. The salary for this role will be determined by a candidate's years of relevant experience related to the position as well as the geographic region.\nTravel: Estimated 30-40% across region\nFLSA Status: Full-time/Exempt\nSupervisory Responsibilities: Major Gifts Officer and Office Manager & Regional Program Coordinator\nWho We Are\nLambda Legal is a national advocacy organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military; and protect LGBTQ+ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality. Our clients are not charged for legal representation or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal also has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC.\nWe believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities requires cultural competency and enthusiasm for diversity of all kinds. To be successful, we must approach our work with an understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status is not the only obstacle to achieving full formal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV; rather, we recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination, specifically including biases based on race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, education, and class. Considering this reality, we prioritize a proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effects in the work we do, but also in how we work together as an organization.\nRegional Director\nThe Regional Director (RD) is the fundraising team lead of the Midwest region based in Chicago, our Midwest Regional Office (MRO). Overseeing a Major Gifts Officer and an Office Manager & Regional Program Coordinator, the RD will develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy to grow and manage a portfolio of major donors across the Midwest region. This role will be a visible representative of Lambda Legal both internally and externally and will partner with the National Director of Individual Philanthropy to identify planned giving and major gifts prospects and achieve strategic revenue growth by leading a team-driven effort in coordination with their peer RDs and colleagues across the Development department. The RD will be responsible for guiding and coaching an MGO in effective moves management while also managing a portfolio of high-level donors. This role will report to the National Director of Individual Philanthropy.\nWhat you’ll do:\n(40%) Donor Portfolio Management & Strategy\nManage and grow a targeted portfolio of current and prospective major gifts donors through best practice cultivation and stewardship to achieve strategic revenue growth across the region while working closely with regional Board, NLC, local Leadership Committees and other regional volunteers to coordinate development efforts and involvement throughout the region. \nDevelop and steward local Leadership Committees as well as other volunteer or event leadership committees in emerging regional markets. \nIn partnership with the National Director and Chief Development Officer (CDO), proactively identify principal giving prospects and strategies to engage and grow revenue across the midwestern region, leveraging data analytics. \nAchieve and surpass annual revenue and engagement targets for self and team. \nAssist the National Director and CDO on all facets of moves management ensuring timely follow-up, stewardship, and strategic engagement to expand portfolio of Major Gifts donors in the region. \nCreate and implement Major Gift pipeline strategies using research and targeted donor communications. \nPartner with National Director to identify planned giving prospects across the regional major gifts team, within all assigned portfolios to ensure that the team is prioritizing and proactively assessing Planned Giving opportunities within their respective portfolios. \nWork with the Development staff to identify potential regional foundation funders and corporate and law firm sponsors while cultivating, soliciting, and serving as liaison to these supporters as needed. \n(25%) Events Fundraising and Management\nPlay a key fundraising leadership role-through collaboration with project leads for prospecting, solicitations, and post-event follow-up-for Lambda Legal fundraising events, such as the Bon Foster event based in Chicago and the Indiana Benefit in Indianapolis. \nCollaborate with the Director of National Events to design tactics and long-term engagement strategies for events to deepen donor commitment, increase giving, broaden the donor base, and manage the stewardship of Lambda Legal’s philanthropy. \nProvide event logistics and staffing support including on-site presence at events, with availability for evening and weekend work as needed. \n(20%) Management of the Regional Team\nSupervise and mentor a Major Gifts Officer and an Office Manager & Regional Programs Coordinator, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and professional development. \nLead and coordinate relevant trainings and professional development opportunities for the Major Gifts team in the region on moves management, relationship building, industry trends, and goal setting. \nLead the team in the enhancement and expansion of the individual giving donor base across the Midwest region. \nDevelop and implement a strategy to increase individual giving revenue at the $10,000 level and above. \nSupervise the content creation and deployment of targeted correspondence - including regional newsletters, solicitations, proposals, appeals, and stewardship materials - to engage donors and prospects. \nOversee regional team budget. \n(15%) Additional Responsibilities\nManage operations for the regional office, including mail handling procedures, lease renewals, space logistics, and other facility needs in coordination with the Chief Operating Officer \nPerform administrative tasks including entering action notes from donor interactions, documenting relationships with new prospects, tracking board member gift activity, and processing expense reports, pledge submissions, and reconciliations. \nSupport, and lead as needed, office culture-building activities and affairs in the MRO. \nStay current with industry best practices for fundraising and donor relationship management. \nWork closely with the Communications and Events teams to promote Lambda Legal throughout the region - including serving as the Lambda Legal representative at Pride and other local community events (i.e. peer organization galas)- and provide support as needed. \nAdditional duties as assigned. \nWho you are\nRequirements:\n7+ years of demonstrated success in a major gift or planned gift fundraising function, and at least 3-4 years of people management experience. \nExperience soliciting and closing six figure gifts from individual donors. \nProven experience having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time. \nExperience planning and/or staffing LGBTQ+ fundraising efforts and events in the Midwest region. \nExcellent written and interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build authentic, long-term relationships. \nExperience engaging racially and gender diverse groups, volunteers, and boards, with knowledge of and network within LGBTQ+ and/or social justice philanthropic communities. \nHigh emotional intelligence and sound judgment in developing donor strategies and navigating complex internal and external relationships. \nFlexible, adaptive, and collaborative work style; able to contribute to both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives. \nDemonstrated comfort with administrative tasks and flexibility to shift between high-level strategy and day-to-day operational needs. \nAbility to inspire and motivate a diverse team of fundraising professionals. \nSelf-directed and accountable, with the ability to thrive both independently and in highly collaborative team environments. \nStrong organizational, time management, and critical thinking skills, with sharp attention to detail. \nHigh proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Raiser’s Edge (or a similar CRM database). \nExperience with data analytics including but not limited to pulling reports and translating findings into clear, tailored insights based on audience needs. \nHigh energy and passion for Lambda Legal’s mission. \nNice-to-haves:\nComprehensive campaign experience. \nExperience working as a manager in a unionized workplace. \nExperience working with other historically marginalized communities in a professional or volunteer capacity. \nPrior work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and/or people living with HIV. \nOur Values & DEIB Philosophy\nSuccessful candidates will embrace and champion our Organizational Values and DEIB Philosophy Statement, bringing a commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace. They will thrive in a diverse environment, actively contributing to a culture that respects and uplifts the full spectrum of communities Lambda Legal serves.\nCandidates can review our Organizational Values and DEIB Philosophy Statement on our Careers Page.\nWhy Work at Lambda Legal?\nYou get to do meaningful, life-changing work at a national level for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV. We understand that our staff’s dedication and effort are instrumental in achieving our mission. Lambda Legal also proudly offers competitive benefits for our team. A highlight of the benefits we offer include:\nMedical benefits that begin on your start date \nDental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date) \nShort & Long-Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date) \n403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment) \nPaid Time Off: Paid Vacation (15 Days) \nSick Leave (12 Days) \nPersonal Leave (3 Days) \nReligious Observance Leave (3 Days) \nBereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave \nFloating Holiday (1 Day) \n\n12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures \nFlexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits \nHealth Reimbursement Account \nPremium subscription to the Calm App\nAnnual professional development funds\n$50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement \nSummer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day \nPaid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non-exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions) \n________\nRead more about Lambda Legal's work on our blog and Instagram.\nLambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply. \nLambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ+, HIV-affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ag...","description_format":"text","description_chars":12523,"description_truncated":true,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":3,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Professional development","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Hospitals & Clinics"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-23T08:13:31Z"}],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":24,"reasons":["conf:18","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-09-24T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":145000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/lambda-legal-regional-development-director-chicago-lambda-legal","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/lambda-legal-regional-development-director-chicago-lambda-legal.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-24T14:36:14Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers"}}