Position Overview

Let It Be Us, an Illinois-licensed child welfare agency, is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven, and results-oriented Director of Development to lead and expand our fundraising efforts.

This role is responsible for designing and executing a high-performing development strategy with a focus on corporate sponsorships, family foundations, and major grant funding. (This position does not manage fundraisers or fundraising events.) Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, the Director of Development will build and manage a strong pipeline of funding partners, deepen donor relationships, and secure resources that support innovative programs in foster care and adoption recruitment, matching, and placement.

This position plays a critical role in advancing our mission and scaling our impact across Illinois and the broader Midwest.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy focused on:
  • Corporate sponsorships
  • Family foundation partnerships
  • Major grants (private and institutional)
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities
• Build and manage a sustainable pipeline of prospective donors and funding partners

Corporate & Foundation Partnerships

• Establish and grow relationships with corporations and family foundations across Illinois and the Midwest
• Design and present compelling sponsorship opportunities aligned with program impact and future growth
• Develop customized proposals and partnership strategies

Grant Development & Management

• Lead the identification, development, and submission of grant proposals in partnership with the grant writer and Executive Director
• Oversee funder timelines, reporting requirements, and stewardship processes
• Ensure high-quality, timely grant deliverables and compliance

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Partner with the Executive Director to cultivate and steward major donors and high-level partners
• Support donor communications, recognition, and engagement strategies
• Identify and develop new donor cultivation opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Strong knowledge of Illinois and Midwest philanthropic landscapes, including corporate giving and family foundations
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining meaningful donor and partner relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute and drive measurable results

Core Competencies

• Relationship-building and external engagement
• Strategic planning and execution
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proactive, self-directed, and results-oriented
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment
• Commitment to mission-driven work and collaborative culture

What Sets This Role Apart

• Opportunity to work directly with the Executive Director/Founder on high-impact strategy
• Ability to shape and scale innovative models with statewide, regional, and national relevance
• Mission-driven work that directly improves outcomes for children in foster care
• Relationship-centered, high-performance organizational culture

Reporting Structure

This position reports directly to the Executive Director. 

About Let It Be Us and How to Apply for This Position

Let It Be Us is an Illinois-licensed child welfare agency advancing innovative, technology-driven models in foster home recruitment, matching, and placement.

Our work is grounded in the belief that matching is relational and predictive, and that every child deserves a stable, permanent family.

Let It Be Us is an equal opportunity employer. 

Learn more at www.letitbeus.org

Please send resume and cover letter to Susan McConnell, Executive Director, at susanmcconnell@letitbeus.org.

Position Summary

Let It Be Us seeks a highly skilled and mission-driven Program Manager to lead the Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral Program, a critical, statewide initiative designed to identify and refer qualified, licensed Illinois foster homes for children in urgent need of placement.

This role is responsible for overseeing program operations, supervising staff, ensuring compliance with all DCFS regulations and contractual requirements, and advancing strategies that increase the number, quality, and timeliness of placement referrals.

Referrals are generated through:

• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and partner child welfare agencies
• Adoption Listing Service of Illinois, managed by Let It Be Us

This is a full-time, hybrid position (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) with in-person meetings in Chicago and the Northern Region. The position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Lead and manage all functions of the Emergency Placement Referral Program
• Oversee and supervise a team of approximately five staff with varying levels of social work experience
• Ensure timely, high-quality referrals to licensed foster homes across Illinois
• Maintain full operational responsibility for the program’s cloud-based foster home database

Compliance & Contracts

• Ensure compliance with all DCFS rules, procedures, and licensing standards
• Manage and monitor requirements related to:
  • Illinois Child Welfare Agency License
  • DCFS contracts
  • Partner agency agreements

Performance & Reporting

• Develop and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual program reports
• Track key performance indicators related to referrals, matches, and outcomes
• Identify operational barriers and implement solutions to improve efficiency and impact

Strategy & Innovation

• Identify opportunities to enhance program performance through technology, process improvement, and innovation
• Support ongoing development of data-driven and precision-based placement practices

Collaboration & Communication

• Represent the program in internal and external meetings with stakeholders, partners, and agencies
• Collaborate across Let It Be Us programs while maintaining clear scope of responsibility

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead special projects as assigned by the Executive Director

Note: This position oversees the Emergency Placement Referral Program only.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in foster care and/or adoption within an Illinois licensed child welfare agency
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing a social work team
• Strong commitment to child welfare, foster care, and adoption

Preferred Competencies

• Experience working with data systems, cloud-based platforms, or proprietary technology tools
• Ability to analyze workflows and implement improvements that increase efficiency and outcomes
• Experience managing hybrid or distributed teams

Core Skills

• Strong leadership and team management
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• High level of organization and accountability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Professional judgment, discretion, and problem-solving ability
• Demonstrated commitment to treating all individuals with kindness, respect, and professionalism

About Let It Be Us

Let It Be Us is an Illinois-licensed Child Welfare Agency delivering innovative, technology-driven solutions in foster home recruitment, matching, and placement.

Our core programs include:

• Emergency Foster Home Placement Referral Program
• Adoption Listing Service of Illinois (ALS-IL)
• Foster Home Recruitment Program

We operate statewide and are headquartered in the Northern Region of Illinois, working to improve permanency outcomes through precision-based, relational approaches.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to Susan McConnell, Executive Director, at susanmcconnell@letitbeus.org.