Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving, Physical Sciences Division

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 $550 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 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.

This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

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. Reporting to the Director of Development, the assistant director is responsible for the identification, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective 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.

The job 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 supports PSD activity for Leadership Annual Gifts. Reports to and coordinates this activity with the PSD director of development. Identifies, cultivates and solicits prospective donors who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $2,500 to $100,000 or more.

• Qualifies new prospects. Determines creative cultivation and solicitation strategies. Arranges for prospects to meet with appropriate University staff and faculty. Plans and executes a local strategy to affiliate alumni donors with long-range potential for major gifts.

• Builds and manages a portfolio of individual prospects and donors with an annual fundraising goal.

• Organizes and executes donor visit preparation, follow up, and trip planning for self, the PSD DOD, Dean, and others, which includes partnering with PSD and ARD staff to generate briefings, proposals, solicitation plans, gift documentation, and gift recognition plans.

• Develops solicitation strategy and writes compelling fundraising proposals. May collaborate with the communications team for proposal content or format. 

• Ensures that individual prospects are acknowledged in a timely, personalized, and expert manner. Researches and prepares stewardship reports for donors. Coordinates stewardship efforts with the donor relations team.

• Focuses on keeping PSD prospects and donors involved and informed of ongoing projects, developments, and advancements at the University. Collaborates with staff throughout ARD to increase leadership annual gift activity on behalf of the PSD team.  

• Works closely with the Director on implementation of PSD’s alumni relations programming, including Reunion and regional engagement. 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 attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.

• Writes timely and strategic correspondence to advance relationships.

• Works with others to maximize prospective donor cultivation.

• 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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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience.

• Knowledge of managing gift prospects.

• Experience in prospect management or prospect research.

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, to speak, and to 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

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.

• Standard office environment.

• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.

• Work evenings and weekends as needed.

• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Chicago-IL/Assistant-Director--Leadership-Annual-Giving--Physical-Sciences-Division_JR22005

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.