Assistant Director, Development, Smart Museum

University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Chicago’s Smart Museum Development team seeks an Assistant Director of Development to lead donor cultivation, stewardship, and gift processing. You will coordinate campaigns, prepare research, and cultivate philanthropists to advance museum priorities.

The role focuses on building a robust donor pipeline, managing data, and reporting impact across annual giving and institutional philanthropy. Hybrid work with in-person campus duties.

Qualifications

• Degree in related field required.
• 2–5 years of related nonprofit experience.
• Experience in donor relations or fundraising preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure foundation and corporate support.
• Maintain giving priorities, deadlines, budgets and action plans.
• Lead donor stewardship and gift acknowledgments.
• Manage donor records, reporting and analytics.
• Coordinate donor visits, events and stewardship reporting.
• Support annual giving, SmartPartner, and institutional philanthropy.
• Draft marketing materials and research for fundraising campaigns.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising

Stewardship

Prospect research

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Related field degree

Tools

Donor database systems

Job description

Department ADV Smart Museum

About the Department The University of Chicago Advancement team cultivates lifelong connections with more than 220,000 alumni, current students, parents, and friends worldwide, building community through intellectual, professional, and other meaningful experiences on campus, around the world and online. Advancement empowers every division, school, department, and institute to thrive, generating support for esteemed faculty, pioneering researchers, visionary practitioners, and ambitious students. During the Chicago Minds campaign, Advancement seeks to raise over $1 billion annually. This unprecedented philanthropic effort is designed to stretch the boundaries of what is possible, fueling bold discovery and amplifying the University’s global impact. Our work is rooted in the belief that meaningful connection and lasting experiences inspire ambassadorship and enduring commitment. We champion a culture of innovation and excellence, inviting every member of our community to participate in a future defined by creativity, intellectual rigor, and shared purpose. Through collaborative partnerships, strategic stewardship, and investment in talent, Advancement is reimagining alumni and donor engagement while ensuring UChicago remains a catalyst of impact for generations to come. As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art (the Smart) is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities—locally, nationally, and internationally. For more information, please visit Smart’s website. Smart Museum of Art Development works collaboratively with colleagues across Advancement and the Museum to build and sustain philanthropic support that aligns with the Museum’s priorities and objectives. This work involves qualifying, cultivating, stewarding, and securing gifts and grant awards from individuals and institutions, developing meaningful donor relationships, and fostering deepened engagement in the Museum for short- and long-term benefit.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Development reports to the Smart’s Director of Development and works closely with colleagues across Advancement, UChicago Arts, and the Museum. This position provides professional support of assigned development activities with instruction from others. Executes fundraising projects, cultivation programs for prospective donors and for visiting committees. This role supports annual giving, the SmartPartner membership program, institutional philanthropy (foundation, government, and corporate), and gifts of art. The Assistant Director leads stewardship and gift acknowledgment processes; maintains shared calendars, agendas, and process documentation; and coordinates donor visits, events, and stewardship reporting across the Smart staff. The Assistant Director manages and analyzes the Museum’s database activity and develops stewardship reports, proposals, research profiles, leadership briefings, acquisition and solicitation campaigns, and other promotional materials. This role also partners with the Director of Development to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects virtually and in person, with a focus on building the donor pipeline and increasing philanthropic support over the next three to five years. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

Identifies, cultivates, and sustains foundation and corporate support through prospect research, funder engagement, grant applications, post-award reporting, and stewardship communications in partnership with Museum and University Advancement colleagues. Maintains institutional giving priorities, opportunities, deadlines, budgets, and action plans to support revenue growth. Guides the Museum’s direct response program and implements multi-channel campaigns with University Advancement and Smart Communications to retain, renew, and grow individual annual giving. Cultivates and engages existing and prospective donors through visits and targeted communications to strengthen relationships, build the donor pipeline, and increase philanthropic support. Leads donor stewardship, including gift acknowledgments, donor recognition, strategic communications, and engagement events such as gallery tours, exhibition openings, and salon-style events. Manages offers of gifts of art, including preparing curatorial briefings, coordinating donor communications, securing appropriate tax documentation, and recording in-kind gifts with the University. Serves as the Museum’s expert on donor database systems and philanthropic giving data; maintains donor records and reporting; analyzes program performance; identifies prospects with Advancement Prospect Research; and coordinates data integrity, research, prospect management, and analytics. Maintains the Museum’s Development calendar, including appeals, board meetings, events, exhibitions, grants and reporting deadlines, stewardship activities, and donor visits; coordinates across teams to manage responsibilities, deadlines, and priorities. Coordinates Development financials and reporting with University Advancement, including contributed revenue reporting, expense tracking, and gift allocation and attribution. Partners with Guest Services, Curatorial, and Education to capture visitation, engagement, and programmatic data for funder reporting and case statement development. Supports Museum-wide priorities and Development special projects, including donor briefings and research, exhibition materials, Board meeting support, writing and proofreading, information gathering, and Smart DEAI initiatives. Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including attending webinars and seminars and building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions. Has a moderate/high level of authority in drafting informational and marketing materials for review for assigned programs. Assists in developing support materials for specific fundraising activities. Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors and volunteers. Establishes and maintains donor records and accounts. 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: ---

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree. Experience: Minimum two years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or a related field; Background in a museum or arts organization. Supporting fundraising, donor relations, institutional giving, grant development, or stewardship activities. Working with donor or constituent data, including data analysis, reporting, and communicating findings to non-technical audiences. Understanding of data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people. Coordinating projects and priorities across multiple teams or stakeholders.

Preferred Competencies

Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply. 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. Excellent proofreading and time-management skills. Knowledge of Chicago’s cultural life and contemporary art. Enthusiasm for the mission and vision of the Smart and a desire to learn.

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 and 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (required)

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

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 the Benefits 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‑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. The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, nonprofits, and government.

Additional Information

To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/