- Salary
- $76k – $82k
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Type
- Full-time
- Seniority
- Mid
- Closing date
- Jun 15, 2026
- Source
- ApplyToJob
Description
We are hiring a Director of Community Engagement in our Upper Midwest Area! This position has a primary focus on special events in the Greater Chicagoland area. The Director will be responsible for leading our Chicago Chip In Casino Night Gala and growing our special events portfolio, as well as managing key corporate, major gift and 3rd party relationships and activities.
This position is a front-line fundraiser and ambassador for Autism Speaks and will speak knowledgeably and persuasively about the mission of the organization and the variety of ways to engage.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for the autism community and the mission of autism speaks and will thrive in a flexible environment with a kind and compassionate culture. At Autism Speaks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to being a trusted and caring resource for our community and constituents from the time of diagnosis through adult life.
PURPOSE: Raise funds for Autism Speaks by recruiting and managing volunteers, soliciting corporate sponsorships, raising awareness, and implementing fundraising and mission-related events to achieve revenue goals.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Experience:
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodations will be provided. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
About Autism Speaks:
At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Together with our broad and diverse community, we strive every day to achieve our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. This mission and vision drive every member of our staff; our employees are inspired, energized and motivated by the impact we can collectively have on behalf of the autism community.
Autism Speaks celebrates every success achieved to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism, and we work collaboratively across departments to find solutions that will do the most good for the most people.
Just as we strive to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow for people on the spectrum, we also aim to enhance the lives of our dedicated employees, through thick and thin.
Salary & Benefits:
Autism Speaks offers a competitive compensation, benefit and vacation package. We also provide flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement and summer bonus Fridays in addition to a creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment.
For consideration, please forward your resume and cover letter.
Autism Speaks is an employer that participates in E-Verify
Salary range is $75,500-$82,000, depending on candidate’s relevant years of experience.
This position is a front-line fundraiser and ambassador for Autism Speaks and will speak knowledgeably and persuasively about the mission of the organization and the variety of ways to engage.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for the autism community and the mission of autism speaks and will thrive in a flexible environment with a kind and compassionate culture. At Autism Speaks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to being a trusted and caring resource for our community and constituents from the time of diagnosis through adult life.
PURPOSE: Raise funds for Autism Speaks by recruiting and managing volunteers, soliciting corporate sponsorships, raising awareness, and implementing fundraising and mission-related events to achieve revenue goals.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Achieve the revenue goals for assigned fundraising events
- Execute fundraising events in partnership with volunteer leadership, specifically managing committee recruitment and retention
- Achieve the assigned fundraising goals by implementing strategies including sponsorship and committee recruitment and retention, and mission integration.
- Support the local implementation of global campaigns of Autism Speaks, sometimes in collaboration with the area’s Outreach Director.
- Manage the day-to-day operations of assigned events, including logistics, data entry, acknowledgements and materials management.
- Manage and provide administrative support to volunteer committees
- Make presentations to businesses, organizations and community groups to secure sponsorship, recruit teams and committee volunteers and manage accounts on a year-round basis
- Integrate digital marketing initiatives, such as email campaigns, fundraising websites, as well as other forms of digital outreach
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Experience:
- 7+ years demonstrated success in fundraising position.
- 5 years of leading special events
- The following qualifications are preferred, and open to considering candidates that are a good fit for the position. Leadership with recruitment and management of volunteer committees, relationship building, networking, budget management, and volunteer mobilization. Proven track record of multi-functional, fundraising experience (special events, multiple walk events, corporate campaigns).
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Adaptable
- Intermediate proficiency with MS Office 365, including Excel and Outlook
- Database knowledge (Stratus Live and Blackbaud Luminate preferred)
- Well-organized and detail-oriented
- High energy, enthusiastic, professional, diplomatic, and possessing a positive, can-do attitude
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed to support programs and events.
- This role includes travel primarily related to events, which at times can involve overnight stays; occasional travel for team meetings and conferences may also occur.
- Event days include setting up and moving materials as well as being actively engaged on‑site for prolonged periods
- Regular use of a computer for extended periods of time.
- Must have reliable mode of transportation (automobile, valid driver’s license, and insurance is required)
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Building Collaborative Relationships
- Professional Behavior
- Results Driven
- Customer Orientation
- Flexibility
Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodations will be provided. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
About Autism Speaks:
At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Together with our broad and diverse community, we strive every day to achieve our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. This mission and vision drive every member of our staff; our employees are inspired, energized and motivated by the impact we can collectively have on behalf of the autism community.
Autism Speaks celebrates every success achieved to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism, and we work collaboratively across departments to find solutions that will do the most good for the most people.
Just as we strive to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow for people on the spectrum, we also aim to enhance the lives of our dedicated employees, through thick and thin.
Salary & Benefits:
Autism Speaks offers a competitive compensation, benefit and vacation package. We also provide flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement and summer bonus Fridays in addition to a creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment.
For consideration, please forward your resume and cover letter.
Autism Speaks is an employer that participates in E-Verify
Salary range is $75,500-$82,000, depending on candidate’s relevant years of experience.
Skills
Excel
