Department
ADV Gift Management
About the Department
The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University of Chicago through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement raises gifts to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Its work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.
The Gift Management Group (GMG) advances the University’s fundraising efforts through its partnership with colleagues across the University to enhance a donor's experience throughout the life cycle of their giving. In furtherance of Advancement goals and with a focus on operational excellence, GMG provides counsel and strategic advice to senior staff, develops and enforces University-wide gift acceptance principles and policy; accurately documents, processes, and records donor gifts and commitments; monitors and reports on the status of complex giving; supports pledge fulfillment through the development and delivery of pledge reminders; oversees gift compliance, effectively resolving issues that surface; and works with a broad group of internal and external stakeholders, including high-level donors and senior University administration.
Job Summary
The Director, Gift Acceptance and Operations is the University’s leader in the development of gift agreements and other written gift and fund instruments used to document philanthropic commitments, made by donors, to the University. This position works closely with fundraisers, donors, and representatives of donors. The position collaborates with a vast array of stakeholders, from finance and budget experts to deans, key administrative staff, and senior leaders, to develop, document, negotiate, and close gifts, while ensuring gift acceptance is compliant with applicable laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and industry standards. Further, the position also ensures necessary University systems and practices are currently in place or advises unit leaders on the necessary measures that need to be taken, to honor a donor’s philanthropic intention and comply with the terms of the written agreement. Once fully executed, the position further partners with colleagues across the University to drive the gift compliance efforts to bolster stewardship, as well as maximizing the resources’ impact.
This role manages a team of professional staff that deals with gift processing, including receiving, troubleshooting, processing, and other related records matters. Develops and maintains gift and records processing policies and procedures. Manages and maintains gift and records systems. Develops departmental plans in alignment with the fundraising goals of the University. Provides leadership to the gift processing and records staff.
Responsibilities
- Leads University-wide effort to produce, review, and approve gift agreements and other gift- and fund-related instruments in a timely and consistent manner, ensuring that such agreements clearly and concisely convey gift terms and memorialize the University’s obligations and donor’s intention for the gift. Partners with Executive Director on complex and/or unconventional gift agreements.
- Engages directly with donors and donor representatives as necessary to negotiate gift terms and finalize written gift instruments.
- Provides counsel to the Vice President, ARD and University leadership as applicable on the acceptance of gifts, and the recommendations of any such exception approval.
- Collaborates with other front-line fundraisers, senior leaders, various stakeholders, and/or subject-matter experts to (i) ensure finalized gift terms comply with University policies and procedures, and federal and state regulations; (ii) identify potential administrative and financial risks and ensure appropriate parties understand the implications; and (iii) effectively negotiate the removal of problematic terms. These stakeholder groups include the Office of Legal Counsel, the Office of the President, the Office of Provost, the Office of Budget, Financial Services, University Research Administration, unit Dean’s and Financial Administrators, Donor Relations, and Gift Planning.
- Proactively develops an enhanced understanding of applicable laws and regulations to ensure gift acceptance policies, processes and gifts are consistent with such laws and regulations, and educates University partners, as appropriate. Serves as subject matter expert and advisor on University gift acceptance practices, policies and procedures, industry standards, and applicable laws.
- Develops and/or enhances gift acceptance and fund management or compliance related policies and processes that drive operational excellence for gift acceptance, and GA functions, and oversees successful and timely dissemination and implementation.
- Oversees the evolution and maintenance of processes and tools necessary to support the gift acceptance, agreements, and fund management functions.
- Utilizes as well as identifies and implements, as may be applicable, and effectively leverages, cutting-edge technology, such as DocuSign, Salesforce, Fundriver, to manage workflow processes, enhance donor and campus partner experience, and optimize efficiencies.
- Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with critical internal and external stakeholders, manages workstreams, and prioritizes deliverables to support consistent and accurate gift and pledge data University-wide.
- Oversees and effectively manages complex University-wide gift-funded matches.
- Manages complex, ad hoc Gift Management projects and/or senior leadership requests.
- Provides oversight, leadership, direction, and day-to-day management of the Gift Acceptance (GA) team within the GMG. Develops and implements processes and policy improvements leading to operational excellence for GA.
- Manages, develops, and trains GA staff, while guiding partners, engaged in the development of gift agreements, gift compliance, and fund management. Effectively monitors, measures, and tracks GA staff productivity, and supports their professional development.
- Develops and delivers training opportunities for ARD staff and campus stakeholders to drive accurate understanding of gift acceptance principles, policy and guidelines, and to promote best practices.
- Acts as GMG leader by modeling behavior that demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a culture of success. Provides meaningful insight(s), resources, and assistance, as appropriate, to advance ARD’s mission and goals.
- Represents the University in industry peer groups and participate in peer benchmarking.
- Identifies and participates in professional development opportunities that will enhance job performance, such as webinars, seminars, networking events, and/or peer group or industry-leading conferences.
- Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, and building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
- Manages the development and administration of the department's gift and records processing policies and procedures in accordance with University policy.
- Develops departmental plans in alignment with the fundraising goals of the University and monitors progress toward goals.
- Helps develop the gift processing and records staff. Serves as a resource on campus on all gift processing and gifting issues.
- Manages gift and records systems. Implements controls to ensure the accuracy and integrity of gift information.
- 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Coursework in tax/accounting, business, finance, professional or legal writing, gift operations or non-profit management.
Experience:
- Minimum seven years of professional experience in nonprofit management, donor relations, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.
- Minimum five years leading a project team or managing staff.
- Minimum two years developing and monitoring budgets.
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 Advancement, including the University's donor relationship management system.
- Proficient in Salesforce and Tableau.
- Proficient in Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project.
Preferred Competencies
- Anticipate and think strategically and holistically to solve complex problems and formulate innovative solutions.
- Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team to encourage growth and change in both people and programs.
- Self-motivated and take initiative, manage priorities, and work independently.
- A high standard of excellence with exceptional planning, execution, analytical and judgment skills. Work appropriately with highly sensitive matters; strong analytical skills; and an outstanding commitment to and proven ability to advance an organization's priorities.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills that are characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
- Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
- Act with integrity, professionalism, kindness, and confidentiality.
- Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Prioritize and manage multiple projects independently with a high attention to detail.
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
People Manager
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
$110,500.00 - $130,000.00
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.
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