Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving, PSD

The University of Chicago; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks an Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving to join its Physical Sciences Division. This pivotal role focuses on identifying and nurturing relationships with prospective donors, driving fundraising efforts to meet significant financial goals. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of fundraising principles and the ability to engage effectively with alumni, faculty, and potential contributors. You will be instrumental in executing strategic plans, managing donor communications, and collaborating with a dedicated team to enhance alumni engagement and support for the division's priorities. If you are passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in fundraising or related fields.
• Strong understanding of alumni relations and development.

Responsibilities

• Plans and executes 100 prospect visits and 75 solicitations.
• Develops plans for identifying and cultivating donors.

Skills

Fundraising principles

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Project management

Prospect management

Education

College or university degree

Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree

Tools

Donor relationship management system

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Department

ARD Physical Sciences Division

About the Department

Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD 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 ARD team of the Physical Science Division (PSD) serves as part of the GPOSE (Gift Planning, Organizations, the Sciences and Engineering) fundraising team at the University of Chicago, tasked with raising money for the Dean’s priorities in the PSD, as well as supporting departmental needs for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. The team engages in alumni relations activities; manages a portfolio of donors and prospects to the Division; and works with colleagues across ARD to broaden the exposure of the PSD to the alumni and friends of the University of Chicago.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving is a key member of the Physical Sciences Division development team, who possesses a keen understanding of the principles of fundraising and the PSD Dean’s priorities and strategic vision. The Assistant Director is responsible for the identification, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective annual gift donors, while building a robust pipeline of future major gift donors. The Assistant Director also participates in the team’s strategic planning and program management, as well as meets individual annual visit and solicitation goals.

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

• Drives and implements PSD activity for Leadership Annual Gifts in coordination with the PSD Senior Director of Development.
• Plans and executes a target of 100 prospect visits and 75 solicitations, traveling as necessary to visit prospects.
• Develops short- and long-term plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors who are capable of making gifts between $2,500-$100,000.
• Delivers timely and effective follow-up in various forms to prospects and donors, including customized fundraising proposals.
• Generates timely contact reports in the prospect database following prospect or donor visits.
• Maintains expert-level knowledge of the University of Chicago and Physical Sciences Division giving priorities and annual funds.
• Organizes and executes donor visit preparation, follow-up, trip planning, and solicitation strategy, which includes partnering with PSD and ARD staff to generate briefings, proposals, solicitation plans, gift documentation, and gift recognition plans.
• Manages annual appeals, including departmental newsletters, Giving Day, etc.
• Serves as development liaison to a subset of PSD departments, advising on fundraising activity in consultation with the Senior Director. Collaborates with Divisional partners to build a cohesive alumni outreach strategy.
• Ensures that individual prospects are acknowledged in a timely, personalized, and expert manner. Researches and prepares stewardship reports and acknowledgments for donors. Coordinates stewardship efforts with the donor relations team.
• Collaborates with staff throughout Alumni Relations and Development.
• Works closely with the Senior Director on implementation of PSD’s alumni relations programming. Links current donors and friends with events such as lectures, symposia, conferences, and public forums.
• Assists in the development and execution of strategic events, including alumni engagement activities and cultivation events for both current and prospective donors.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including 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.
• Writes timely and strategic correspondence to advance relationships.
• 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 degree or advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work.
• Knowledge of managing gift prospects.
• Familiar with prospect management, research and/or other advancement services.
• Soliciting and closing gifts of $100 or more.

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

• 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.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.
• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in-office presence.

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 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-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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