Client Associate - Chicago

Position: Chicago Client Associate (Part-time and Temporary)

Status: Part-Time Employee (20 hrs./wk.)

Location: Hybrid. Three (3) three days a week (2 remote, 1 in office @ 200 W Madison St, Chicago)

Hourly Rate: $55k - 75k annual salary, depending on experience

Benefits: 

• Paid Time Off
• Holidays + Annual company closures (Spring and Winter)

Duration: 6 months

Start Date: January 2026

About the Role

Phīla Engaged Giving is looking for a part-time Client Associate to join our growing, mission-driven team. The Client Associate works in close partnership with our Advisors to support two to three (2-3) philanthropic clients, helping turn great ideas into meaningful action. You’ll play a key role in moving projects forward—conducting research across social impact areas, preparing thoughtful materials, and ensuring that every client experience feels seamless and well cared for.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced professional with a minimum of five (5) years direct experience in philanthropy, non-profit, or foundation management in a client facing role. If you are interested in bringing your expertise to a collaborative environment that values purpose, excellence, and authenticity, this could be a great fit for you. The ideal person for our team leads with empathy, takes real pride in producing high-quality work, anticipates what’s needed next, and approaches every task with care and curiosity.

We believe great work comes from people who feel supported and inspired. Our culture centers on high-touch service, continuous learning, and joy in the work—and we’re looking for someone who shares that spirit and is excited to help others make a difference through philanthropy.

About Phīla Engaged Giving

Phīla is a Black and woman-owned philanthropic advisory firm that works with individuals and families, family offices, estates, and charitable entities interested in leaving a philanthropic legacy. Our values-driven, strategic charitable guidance brings about transformative solutions for ultra-high net wealth families and their offices.

We offer comprehensive advisory services– philanthropic vehicle selection, governance strategy development, operational support, family dynamics support, donor collaboration, training for family and staff, sourcing of charitable beneficiaries, grants management, measurement and evaluation of impact.

Our mission is to cultivate informed, active, and joyful givers who are equipped with the tools and concepts to become meaningful partners to organizations and movements that are affecting social change. At the core of our mission is transformation–both within the philanthropic sector and within the families and organizations we serve. Every day we work toward a world where philanthropy is a life-giving, equity-centered practice that releases wealth to the people and communities who need it most. 

Client Services Responsibilities (80%)

The Client Associate supports our team of Philanthropic Advisors in providing thought partnership and hands-on support to a portfolio of ultra high net wealth (UHNW) donor clients. Responsibilities include:

• Develop clear and compelling materials for client and business development purposes, including correspondence, presentations, reports and summaries
• Work closely with multiple client teams to implement philanthropic strategies and projects
• Serve as the point person on moving action steps forward, providing reminders to Phīla Advisors and clients, when needed
• Produce meeting agendas and take comprehensive notes during meetings to ensure strategies and ideas are captured and can move forward
• Seamlessly blend into the culture and workstyle of the client, building trust and working partnerships with a variety of stakeholders
• Use all available Phīla resources—expertise, experience, templates, tools, etc.—to seamlessly and efficiently advance project plans
• Contribute to Phīla’s efforts to fight systemic racism and bias through client services

Direct project support varies by client. It can include, but is not limited to:

• Assist with governance models, dashboards, and trainings to implement/enhance metrics management
• Producing visually appealing and readable reports summarizing assessment findings, recommendations, and strategies
• Assist in creating giving portfolios and performing due-diligence on non-profit grantees
• Writing and editing collateral including but not limited to custom proposals and stewardship reports

General Administration (20%)

• Manage schedules, including meetings with clients, contractors, and other external stakeholders as well as events, professional travel and conferences, and outside professional commitments 

• Serve as business development thought-partner working closely with the team to implement growth strategies and marketing plans, develop presentations, reference materials, and other outreach documents as needed
• Maintain sensitive firm and client materials for archival use

We’re looking for someone who…

• Brings a self-starter mindset—someone who can spot what needs to be done, take ownership, and move things forward even when all the details aren’t spelled out, asking thoughtful, clarifying questions along the way

• Is an adept project manager capable of leading multiple work streams toward deadlines and juggling changing priorities
• Has keen analytical skills that allows for accurate assessments of quantitative and qualitative data
• Believes in a client-centric approach, seeking to understand each client’s values, objectives, and expectations
• Is a strong communicator, able to convey ideas in a clear, compelling, and concise manner, verbally, and most importantly, in writing
• Has a commitment to accuracy and a keen eye for details
• Values learning and has a strong sense of curiosity about people and the world

Additional Attributes 

Phīla Giving is a small, intimate environment where shared values are very important. The following personal attributes are crucial to being successful at our firm:

• You should have a high EQ. We seek a thoughtful, open-minded listener with high emotional intelligence and an ability to “read the room”. 

• You should be collaborative yet independent. We want to work with someone who is collaborative and has experience flexibly supporting and leading teams, while also being able to work independently, being resourceful and accountable.

• You should have a high degree of integrity. It is crucially important that any new team member can build and maintain trust—internally with colleagues and externally with partners and clients. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• A minimum of five (5) years direct experience in philanthropy, non-profit, or foundation management in a client facing role, and eight (8) years of overall work experience

Location & Schedule

This role is a hybrid position (three (3) days a week - 2 remote, 1 in office) based in Chicago, IL. All candidates must be within a commutable distance to the Loop. Experience working with remote teams is highly desired, as this role will support Phīla Advisors based in Seattle, Chicago, and Detroit. 

Compensation 

This Client Associate role is a part time role (20 hours per week). The pay range for this position is 55k-75k annual salary, depending on experience. Please note that this position does not include health insurance, but it does offer paid time off, paid holidays and other company perks.

Application Instructions

To submit an application, please submit a resume and a one-page cover letter with “Chicago Client Associate (Part-time)” in the subject line. The cover letter should address why you believe you’d excel in this role, and why you’re interested in working for Phīla. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until December 19, 2025 or a hire is made. We will review resumes as they are received and look forward to hearing from you. 

Phīla Engaged Giving is a woman and Black-owned Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. Women, LGBTQ, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.