Status: Full-time, salaried, exempt
Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd., is a global philanthropic advisory firm headquartered in Chicago. Since 2000 the firm has been at the forefront of helping high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families plan, assess, and manage their charitable giving. The firm provides high-touch, customized support to ensure that donors can feel more confident in their charitable giving and know that their philanthropic dollars are effectively spent and generating meaningful outcomes.
Firm Culture
Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd. is a boutique consultative environment with a collaborative approach to client services. The firm is deeply committed to diversity as well as promoting human rights and delivering services that reflect excellence and best practices in philanthropy. A balanced work and personal life is deeply ingrained in the company and reflected in the hybrid work schedule.
Position Overview
The Primary responsibility of the Philanthropic Advisor is to support client engagements and ensure that the work product delivered in each engagement reflects the values, level of quality, and thoughtfulness that is the hallmark of Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd. This includes helping clients define their philanthropic goals, develop a strategy and structure for realizing them, and support the implementation and documentation of giving strategies. The Advisor works closely with other members of the client services team to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of products and services to clients. Additionally, all Advisory Staff are expected to support and participate in helping to continue to grow the firm which includes, but is not limited to, being part of select meetings with legal and financial advisors and prospective clients.
Responsibilities
Client Engagement
- Serve as lead or “second chair” on client engagements, including project planning, facilitating client meetings, managing project timelines, and carrying out other activities on behalf of clients.
- Maintain strong client relationships and clearly communicate meeting outcomes, progress, and relevant developments in their giving strategy areas.
- Conduct research and produce high-quality materials for clients.
- Conduct interviews, surveys, and other information-gathering strategies with client families/systems and prepare reports on findings and recommendations.
- Communicate with clients’ referring advisors to keep them informed and strengthen the firm’s advisor relationships.
- Adhere to the firm’s confidentiality requirements.
Non-Profit Sector Engagement
- Interface with grantees and potential grantees to identify and assess opportunities for partnership and monitor and evaluate client-giving activities.
- Interface with thought leaders and funding peers in the broader field of philanthropy and within client priority areas.
Operational/Administration
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Document client outcomes to contribute to best practices, client management, and the positioning of the firm.
- Support the development of client proposals and budgets and track time spent on client activities.
- Maintain accurate, complete, and accessible digital files on all client engagements.
- Contribute to the enhancement of business practices within the firm.
Marketing and Firm Representation
- Represent the firm and/or clients at meetings and conferences with a high degree of professionalism.
- Participate in the design and presentation of sessions at conferences.
- Contribute to or create articles, white papers, and other documents that will further the firm’s position as a leader in its industry.
- Contribute to the continued growth of the firm by participating, where appropriate, in new business presentations and conversations with advisors or prospective donor clients.
Experience and Educational Background
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s or other advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of four years relevant experience working in the philanthropic, foundation, or nonprofit sector.
- Group facilitation and/or consultative experience.
- Experience working with the next generation, both inheritors and wealth creators is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience working with Advisors to high net-worth families and individuals preferred.
- Proven ability to write and communicate exceptionally in a professional setting.
Position Information
- Salary range $90,000 to $100,000, predicated on experience.
- Must be able to commute to our Chicago office at Irving Park Rd and Ashland at least two days per week.
- Occasional travel is required as well as periodic weekend and evening work.
- Company benefits include medical, disability, life insurance, catastrophic insurance, a 401K program, and a generous PTO policy that includes a week-long holiday break.
- Position Reports to the Managing Director, Philanthropic Services.
Please visit our Join Our Team page to submit materials for the position. Candidates being considered for the role will be requested to provide professional writing samples.
