Alumni Relations & Development (ARD) engages alumni (~190k), 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 Sciences Division (PSD) serves as part of the Sciences and Organizations 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 & 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 job manages programs designed to meet University fundraising goals for contributed income. Serves as strategist of efforts to secure gifts and build relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts. Develops communication strategies for projects.
Responsibilities
Drives and supports PSD activity for Major Gifts. Reports to and coordinates this activity with the PSD director of development.
Works with Prospect Management and Prospect Research to identify portfolio gaps.
Identifies suspects, prospects, and cross-unit or multi-unit solicitation opportunities.
Organizes and executes donor visit preparation, follow up, and trip planning for self and others, which includes partnering with other ARD staff to generate briefings, proposals, solicitation plans, gift documentation, and gift recognition plans.
Connects ARD generalist gift officers with PSD leadership. Creates opportunities for officers to learn about the research and fundraising priorities of the Division and to include the Division in multi-unit solicitations.
Earns shared solicitation credit as a key partner for ARD generalists and fundraisers in other units as opportunities for collaborative solicitations arise.
Prepares confidential briefings for events and individual meetings for the PSD director of development, Dean, and other University leaders as needed.
Develops PSD materials such as funding priorities talking points, department updates, proposal language, toolkits, pitches, gift opportunities, etc. for gift officers.
Serves as lead communications strategist for PSD Council.
Works with Assistant Director to identify and refine useful reporting from CRM (Griffin or Phoenix)
Be prepared, in a small team, to pitch in on other tasks as necessary.
Establishes fundraising goals and priorities based on department objectives, designs strategies to meet those goals, and monitors progress against goals.
Identifies, analyzes, and qualifies donor interest to maximize giving. Helps with overall planning efforts for the University's most important prospects. Works independently to develop communication strategies for projects, including publications and public presentations.
Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
--- Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree.
Advanced degree.
Experience:
A minimum of five years of professional work experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, donor relations, nonprofit management, research, marketing, communications, sales or similar professional work experience.
Proven record of accomplishment in solicitations and cultivation of prospective donors or sales and client development.
A minimum of one year of leading a project team or managing staff.
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 Griffin (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 able to take initiative.
Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
Working Conditions
Standard office environment
Willing and able to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
Willing and able to work evenings and weekends.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Resume/CV of the application.
Job Family
Alumni Relations & Development
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff 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.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
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.
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.
