Department
ARD Gift Planning
About the Department
Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~190k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $550 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.
The Office of Gift Planning specializes in philanthropic support for the University through charitable bequests, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, gifts of real estate, in kind gifts and gifts of complex assets. The Office of Gift Planning works closely with individual donors and their advisors to structure charitable gifts in a manner that will take advantage of tax benefits, complement financial planning, and maximize the ultimate impact of a gift.
This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.
Job Summary
The Associate Director, Gift Planning, will function as a frontline planned gift officer covering a regional territory in the United States. The Associate Director will be an integral member of the gift planning team as well as valued partner to other regional gift officers and unit gift officers from other units’ cross campus. The position uses best practices and knowledge of the gift planning program across the University to secure planned gifts from alumni and friends. Develops gift-giving strategy and uses prospect management system for identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals for optimal gifts to the University. Has full authority of the gift planning office, staff, and associated programs. Interprets University goals and priorities, and accordingly advises donors and their advisors. Oversees gift stewardship in conjunction with University Financial Services to ensure smooth operation of gift stewardship.
Responsibilities
- Secures planned gifts from University alumni and friends.
- Proactively seeks and identifies new planned giving prospects.
- Manages a portfolio of planned gift prospects with the goal of acquiring new planned gifts and obtaining additional commitments, planned and outright, from current planned gift donors.
- Commits to meeting contact, visit and solicitation goals to sustaining external focus and frontline fundraising activity.
- Travels to meet with potential donors.
- Plans and implements cultivation strategies and solicitations of deferred gifts.
- Qualifies and cultivates prospects who respond to marketing materials or other portals through diligent and systematic follow-up.
- Plans and implements strategies for increasing planned gift activity in assigned units across campus, including prospect pool or portfolio analysis, strategy sessions, training, planned gift reporting, goal-setting, and partnering directly with other gift officers on individual prospects.
- Contributes creative new ideas for raising awareness of gift planning opportunities and driving gift planning activity.
- Motivates individuals and groups, fosters collaboration with colleagues, and engenders loyal relationships with donors. Invests in the success of the team, the goals of Alumni Relations and Development and the best interests of the University.
- Produces high level and sophisticated communications (written and verbal), including planned gift illustrations, tax and financial calculations, and personalized consultations.
- Develops and maintains content expertise in gift planning vehicles, estate, and tax planning, investing, financial planning, philanthropic planning, and economic climate.
- Develops and maintains expertise on University initiatives, current events, and history.
- Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
- Works with high-level donors and with other University development staff members to secure planned gifts from alumni and friends of the University. Designs a marketing program and implements it through staff members. Maintains communication across the University.
- Uses a deep understanding in donor programs to identify planned giving prospects and plans strategies and the solicitations of planned and deferred gifts from individual donors. Secures planned gifts from University alumni and friends.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Driver's License - Multiple States
---
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree or advanced degree.
Experience:
- Minimum five years of professional work experience in institutional advancement, development, alumni relations, sales, financial planning, estate planning or similar field.
- Background managing a portfolio of donors or clients.
Certifications:
- Certifications or advanced degrees in financial planning, law, business, finance, or similar fields.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Competencies
- Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
- Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
- Self-motivated and take initiative.
Working Conditions
- This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
- Standard office environment.
- Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
- Work evenings and weekends as needed.
- This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Alumni Relations & Development
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $105,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in theBenefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
