Assistant Director of Development

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 Assistant Director of Development 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 is responsible for building relationships with alumni and friends to deliver philanthropic income for the Library’s priority projects, in coordination with the Director of Development and Development Associate.

Responsibilities

• Delivers philanthropic income and engagement activities to agreed annual targets.
• Builds relationships with University alumni and friends, and manages a portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Builds relationships with a variety of different individuals within the University, including the central Alumni Relations and Development Office as well as ARD colleagues in Divisions and Units.
• Works collaboratively to maximize prospect cultivation and donor stewardship.
• Writes timely and strategic correspondence to advance relationships.
• 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.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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• Professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.
• Experience in soliciting and closing philanthropic gifts or sales, or experience delivering an annual giving program with comparable relationship building skills.

• 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)