Development Coordinator, Principal Gifts

University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago seeks a Development professional within BSD DEV - Principal Gifts 1 to support assigned fundraising activities, coordinate events, and collaborate with volunteers, faculty, and campus partners to advance campaigns.

This hybrid role (3 days in-office, 2 days remote) offers a salary range of $60,000–$75,000 with strong benefits. Resume and cover letter required; AI tools may be used in recruitment, with final decisions based on review and background checks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• 2–5 years in a related job discipline.
• Experience with fundraising and donor databases.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience planning and executing events.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates, organizes, and executes fundraising activities to meet annual goals.
• Collaborates to increase participation, revenue, and engagement from prospects, donors, volunteers, and faculty.
• Coordinates logistics of meetings, events, and staff meetings.
• Supports event planning and vendor coordination.
• Advances giving strategies with fundraisers.
• Prepares donor communications and internal/external documents.
• Uses Phoenix to look up, maintain data, and run queries/reports.
• Prepares gift allocation forms and forwards to gift processing.
• Collects data for questions/topics; drafts reports and presentations.
• Plans activities of volunteer groups and recruits leadership.
• Drafts informational and marketing materials for programs.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Volunteer management

Event planning

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

College/university degree in related field

Tools

Phoenix database

CRM software

Job description

Department BSD DEV - Principal Gifts 1

About the Department

Medicine and Biological Sciences Development’s mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy at the University of Chicago Medicine by building relationships with those who share its goals of advancing excellence in research, education, community, and patient care. We accomplish this mission through expertise, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.

Job Summary

The job provides professional support of assigned development activities with instruction from others. Executes fundraising projects, cultivation programs for prospective donors and for visiting committees.

Responsibilities

Facilitates, organizes, and executes fundraising activities to ensure annual fundraising goals are met and future campaigns are successful.

Collaborates with colleagues to execute projects with a focus on increasing participation, revenue, and engagement from prospects, donors, volunteers, faculty, and other key constituents.

Coordinates logistics of meetings, events, and staff meetings as needed.

Supports team on event planning and execution including working with vendors, collaborating with campus colleagues and volunteers.

Works with fundraisers to advance giving strategies.

Composes and edits correspondence and other documents for delivery internally (e.g., MBSD, UCM) and externally (e.g., donor acknowledgements, correspondence for leaders and volunteers within the primary strategic constituencies).

Utilizes the fundraising database Phoenix to look up and maintain up to date and accurate information and to research information.

They fulfill requests for queries/reports from Phoenix.

Prepares gift allocation forms for gifts received by MBSD, and forwards the gifts and completed forms to Central Development’s gift processing office.

Collects/researches data to support or answer specific questions/topics related to development and volunteer management activity; drafts, proofreads, and creates reports and presentations for the team and the volunteers that they support; develops and implements team procedures and policies.

Plans somewhat complex activities of volunteer and support groups.

Recruits members and provides guidance and support to leadership activities.

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.

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 or higher.

Experience: Nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, or similar work.

Experience with fundraising, contact management or other database software.

Experience working with volunteers.

Experience planning and executing events.

Preferred Competencies

Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills.

An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative.

Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write well.

Flexibility and adaptability to new programs in an emerging and changing environment.

Working Conditions

Office environment. Hybrid schedule, 3 days in-office, 2 days remote.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. 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

Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $60,000.00 - $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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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, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/