Director, External Affairs
Braven, Chicago, IL, United States
About Braven
Braven is a national nonprofit that prepares promising college students to secure a strong first opportunity after college graduation through a career‑accelerating program. We work with higher education and employer partners to offer a life‑changing experience that begins with a semester‑long course for college students and continues through graduation. Our ambition is to help rebuild the middle class and revitalize the American Dream. Job Title
Director, External Affairs Team
External Affairs Location
In‑Person in Chicago, IL Employment Type
Full‑time FLSA Classification
Exempt Start Date
ASAP About The Role
Braven is hiring a Director, External Affairs to grow our Chicago corporate and philanthropic fundraising. The role collaborates closely with the CEO, Chief External Affairs Officer, and the Chicago program team. Responsibilities include cultivating new prospective partners, stewarding existing philanthropic and employer partnerships, supporting volunteer recruitment, engaging with the Chicago Board and Investor Committee, and advancing Braven’s brand. What You’ll Do
Development and Board Management (75%)
Donor and Prospect Cultivation – partner with leadership to establish the Chicago region’s fundraising strategy, track progress, steward donor relationships, research prospects, create cultivation plans, and manage execution through the Moves Management stages. Board Management – steward current board members, identify and vet prospects, prepare and join board meetings, customize collateral, and lead content planning.
Employer Partnerships & Volunteer Recruitment (15%)
Develop the Chicago region’s Employer Partnership strategy – identify prospects, build a pipeline, research and create engagement plans, manage a portfolio of 10–20 local EPs, recruit volunteers, and co‑host events. Collaborate with the national EP team, support in‑person events, and manage volunteer outreach.
Other External Partnership Support (10%)
Partner with national communications, marketing, and policy teams to advance Chicago’s external presence, secure brand visibility opportunities, and support public funding applications. Support execution of national campaigns and initiatives at the local level, including social media, conference participation, and CEO communications. Provide meeting prep, follow‑up, and event support for the CEO and Chief External Affairs Officer.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree. 5–7 years of related work experience in development, corporate partnerships, or high‑stakes relationship management. Preferred Qualifications
Proven ability to strategically identify, build, and develop relationships, with strong influencing skills. Strong project management, strategic planning, and organizational skills, and proven collaboration across differences. Problem‑solving mindset with adaptability in complex environments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Track record of meeting or exceeding ambitious goals. Proficiency in Google Suite and Salesforce. Demonstrated commitment to building strong and welcoming cultures. Exemplification of Braven’s core values. Experience that informs belief in Braven’s mission and supports work with Braven’s student Fellows. Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the preferred qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply. Work Demands
Ability to work in‑person in Chicago at least three days per week. Availability for evening events and programming. Travel once per year to Braven’s All Team Retreat. Additional Requirements
Authorized to work in the U.S. Braven does not offer employment visa sponsorship. Benefits
Unlimited vacation plus company holidays and long shutdowns (minimum 19 days per year). $25,000 lifetime benefits for fertility, family‑building, and hormonal health. 401K match up to 5% of base salary. Coverage of 85% of health insurance premium for employee and dependents. 12 weeks paid parental leave. One‑month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff. Compensation
Competitive base salary based on market midpoint, with opportunities for growth. Salary range for this role is $92,000–$114,900 in Chicago. Braven does not negotiate offers; each offer is determined via external and internal benchmarking. Location Requirements
Office in Chicago for at least three days per week; flexibility for remote work two days per week. Applicants must live within commuting distance of Chicago. Equal Opportunity Statement
Braven is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor. We encourage talented individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
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Braven is a national nonprofit that prepares promising college students to secure a strong first opportunity after college graduation through a career‑accelerating program. We work with higher education and employer partners to offer a life‑changing experience that begins with a semester‑long course for college students and continues through graduation. Our ambition is to help rebuild the middle class and revitalize the American Dream. Job Title
Director, External Affairs Team
External Affairs Location
In‑Person in Chicago, IL Employment Type
Full‑time FLSA Classification
Exempt Start Date
ASAP About The Role
Braven is hiring a Director, External Affairs to grow our Chicago corporate and philanthropic fundraising. The role collaborates closely with the CEO, Chief External Affairs Officer, and the Chicago program team. Responsibilities include cultivating new prospective partners, stewarding existing philanthropic and employer partnerships, supporting volunteer recruitment, engaging with the Chicago Board and Investor Committee, and advancing Braven’s brand. What You’ll Do
Development and Board Management (75%)
Donor and Prospect Cultivation – partner with leadership to establish the Chicago region’s fundraising strategy, track progress, steward donor relationships, research prospects, create cultivation plans, and manage execution through the Moves Management stages. Board Management – steward current board members, identify and vet prospects, prepare and join board meetings, customize collateral, and lead content planning.
Employer Partnerships & Volunteer Recruitment (15%)
Develop the Chicago region’s Employer Partnership strategy – identify prospects, build a pipeline, research and create engagement plans, manage a portfolio of 10–20 local EPs, recruit volunteers, and co‑host events. Collaborate with the national EP team, support in‑person events, and manage volunteer outreach.
Other External Partnership Support (10%)
Partner with national communications, marketing, and policy teams to advance Chicago’s external presence, secure brand visibility opportunities, and support public funding applications. Support execution of national campaigns and initiatives at the local level, including social media, conference participation, and CEO communications. Provide meeting prep, follow‑up, and event support for the CEO and Chief External Affairs Officer.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree. 5–7 years of related work experience in development, corporate partnerships, or high‑stakes relationship management. Preferred Qualifications
Proven ability to strategically identify, build, and develop relationships, with strong influencing skills. Strong project management, strategic planning, and organizational skills, and proven collaboration across differences. Problem‑solving mindset with adaptability in complex environments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Track record of meeting or exceeding ambitious goals. Proficiency in Google Suite and Salesforce. Demonstrated commitment to building strong and welcoming cultures. Exemplification of Braven’s core values. Experience that informs belief in Braven’s mission and supports work with Braven’s student Fellows. Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the preferred qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply. Work Demands
Ability to work in‑person in Chicago at least three days per week. Availability for evening events and programming. Travel once per year to Braven’s All Team Retreat. Additional Requirements
Authorized to work in the U.S. Braven does not offer employment visa sponsorship. Benefits
Unlimited vacation plus company holidays and long shutdowns (minimum 19 days per year). $25,000 lifetime benefits for fertility, family‑building, and hormonal health. 401K match up to 5% of base salary. Coverage of 85% of health insurance premium for employee and dependents. 12 weeks paid parental leave. One‑month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff. Compensation
Competitive base salary based on market midpoint, with opportunities for growth. Salary range for this role is $92,000–$114,900 in Chicago. Braven does not negotiate offers; each offer is determined via external and internal benchmarking. Location Requirements
Office in Chicago for at least three days per week; flexibility for remote work two days per week. Applicants must live within commuting distance of Chicago. Equal Opportunity Statement
Braven is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor. We encourage talented individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
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