Development Associate

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago Library enables intellectual discovery and rigorous learning through the breadth and depth of its collections, extensive expertise, innovative programs, and diverse spaces. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive community, enhancing access to scholarly resources, advancing digital scholarship, engaging locally and globally, and exceling in a changing environment. Comprising six distinct sites across campus, the Library is the 9th largest academic library in North America, with 12.4 million volumes in print and electronic form. The Library’s Center for Digital Scholarship is at the forefront of leveraging technology and drives research sharing, preservation, and analysis. The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center is home to rare books, manuscripts and the University Archives, including The Chicago Jazz Archive, The John Maloof Collection of Vivian Maier, and papers/medals of 21 Nobel Prize winners. Alongside its collections and resources, the Library is committed to enriching the learning experience and nurturing the next generation of scholars and librarians through Fellowships and Residency programs.

Job Summary
 

Alumni Relations & Development
The University of Chicago’s Alumni Relations and Development Office (ARD) sets and achieves University fundraising and participation goals by maximizing philanthropic support and increasing engagement of the University’s worldwide community of alumni, parents, families, and friends. ARD recently closed the hugely successful Inquiry & Impact campaign exceeding ambitious goals, rallying our global community, and raising $5.43 billion in support of the University’s distinctive and enduring values and laying a strong foundation for future ambitions.
Library Development
The Development Associate is a collaborative colleague and member of a three-person team. The position fosters a culture of philanthropy and engagement in support of the Library and its mission. The position supports and/or leads targeted projects in coordination with the Director of Development and Assistant Director of Development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with ARD colleagues, particularly the Direct Response team, and leading on the Library’s annual giving appeals.
• Delivering donor engagement opportunities through the Library Society.
• Delivering onsite and virtual events to engage the University community with the Library’s activities.
• Delivering endowment fund reports to recipients annually.
• Drafting correspondence and donor acknowledgement letters.
• Serving as the Library’s power user of Griffin, the University’s alumni and donor database, ensuring that alumni and donor information is accurate and up to date.
• Maintaining the Support the Library webpages on the Library’s website.
• Provides information to specific requests, direct calls, and other relevant information to appropriate individuals while using discretion and judgment with confidential information.
• Provides excellent customer service and problem-solving for alumni and donors when answering phone lines, responding to email, and handling gift and registration inquiries.
• Plans, organizes and coordinates assigned fundraising programs and projects. Identifies budget requirements and staffing needs on a project or event basis.
• 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.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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• Has outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Demonstrates skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, technology tools available to the Library and ARD.
• Manages confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Acts with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Works collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Is self-motivated and takes initiative.
• Prioritizes multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
• Must be flexible and adaptable to new programs in an emerging and changing environment.
• Embraces the mission and vision of the Library and becomes knowledgeable about the work across the Library’s units to connect meaningfully with alumni and friends.

• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter address to Amber Cullen (required)
• Reference List (required)