Ravinia® is both North America’s longest-running not-for-profit music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events by a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers make up a typical summer season on our two open-air and two indoor stages. Each year the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is featured in six weeks of concerts, many with Chief Conductor Marin Alsop. During the same summer months, the Ravinia Steans Music Institute provides young professional classical and jazz musicians with career-advancing training and concert settings.

Offstage and year-round, Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs engage 85,000 children and adults—in schools with little to no music curriculum, in our Chicagoland communities, and at our 36-acre park—in our mission to make music equitably accessible to all.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Assistant, Major Gifts provides support to the Development Department at Ravinia by assisting Ravinia’s major gifts team. This position assists with sponsor events and a variety of summer cultivation and stewardship activities. This role offers an opportunity to gain valuable experience in event planning and major gift fundraising for a non-profit arts organization. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide administrative support for the Major Gifts team through the maintenance of major gift databases, phone support and handling of major donors’ ticketing, parking, dining or other requests. 
• Assist with the planning and execution of at least six Major Gifts special events and approximately 30 individual concert sponsor events throughout the summer. Provide support for the Major Gifts team at each event. Assist with execution of Women’s Board Gala benefit on August 4, 2024.
• Track event RSVPs, assist in invitation creation and mailing, assemble materials and generate event correspondence.
• Assist with gift acknowledgement process. Provide support for donor benefits distribution.
• Act as an onsite donor resource at the Freehling Room (Ravinia’s private donor dining facility) and additional dining services during concert evenings throughout the summer.
• Assist in sponsor recognition tracking, ensuring accuracy of sponsor listings in the Ravinia program magazine and on park signage. Maintain photographic files of accurate sponsorship listings. 
• Special projects and other duties as assigned, including providing administrative support for Development department, volunteer groups and Donor Concierge Service as needed.
• Assists in concert duty coverage.
• Provide front desk/reception support when necessary.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Excellent customer/donor service skills 
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously 
• Excellent listening skills
• Detail oriented
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills
• Ability to problem solve quickly and effectively in a variety of situations
• Work well in a team environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and G-Suite

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma or equivalent. Some college preferred
• Experience in events, administration, and customer service preferred

This is a full-time position, and the right candidate will be a critical part of the Major Gifts team. The applicant must be prepared to dedicate their summer to working at Ravinia and, in turn, receive unparalleled work experience at a world-renowned arts institution.

WORK LOCATION: Ravinia Administrative Offices 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035

HOURS: Full-time, seasonal job from mid-May through mid-October. Must be available to work many evenings and weekends.  

HOURLY RATE: $18.00

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Embrace and actively support Ravinia’s culture of integrity, professionalism, collaboration, mutual respect, and customer focus.

Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success. We strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate based on any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.