Department
ADV Annual Giving Programs
About the Department
Advancement engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement raises $600 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 College Development team raises $80M-$100M annually, advancing philanthropic partnerships with key alumni, parents and friends of the College to support the educational goals of its undergraduates. This includes support for financial aid, teaching and research, career development, international study, athletics, and housing.
Job Summary
This role implements programs designed to meet fundraising goals for contributed income with moderate guidance. Helps build relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts at the instruction of others. Executes communication strategies for projects.
Responsibilities
- Serves as a class manager for assigned milestone reunion classes and non-reunion classes.
- Identifies, recruits, trains, and motivates volunteers to engage and solicit their peers.
- Approaches alumni interactions and committee work with a “yes, and” attitude, working to find solutions that meet the goals of both The College and alumni.
- Partners across Advancement with University Relationship Managers to engage trustees and top donors in relationship building and solicitation to advance and meet class giving goals.
- Manages a portfolio of assigned Reunion prospects, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and securing gifts of all sizes, including multi-year pledges, major gifts, and bequest intentions, in support of a comprehensive $15M annual Reunion fundraising goal.
- Speaks persuasively about the case for Reunion fundraising initiatives, maintaining a knowledge of and educating alumni about College and University fundraising priorities.
- Completes 75 alumni visits per year.
- Coordinates Alumni Weekend Reunion dinners and advises on reunion-wide programming, in collaboration with Advancement partners to create a highly specialized College reunion experience.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for volunteers and alumni in assigned Reunion classes, responding to all phone, email, and mail inquiries.
- Collaborates with internal and external teams to provide best-in-class Reunion experiences.
- Facilitates proactive and quality data management and analysis. Pulls and updates data reports and lists as necessary.
- Contributes to the formation and implementation of class specific Reunion fundraising goals and leads the class to meet these goals through personal solicitation, collaboration with University fundraising partners, and peer-to-peer solicitations from Reunion volunteers.
- Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
- Identifies and qualifies prospects by aiding in expanding the pool of potential donors and participating in outreach events. Manages a portfolio of prospective donors.
- Builds relationships with a variety of different individuals within the University in the assigned divisions and departments of those who make charitable gifts.
- Writes timely and strategic correspondences to advance relationships.
- Works with others to maximize prospective donor cultivation.
- 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience.
- Background of personally soliciting and closing gifts with prospective alumni donors.
- Familiarity with fundraising, contact management, or other database software.
- Working with volunteers.
- Planning and executing events.
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 Phoenix (the University's Donor Relationship Management System).
- Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
Preferred Competencies
- Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
- Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
- Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Self-motivated and take initiative.
- Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with 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
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
$63,750.00 - $75,000.00
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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