Associate Director, Annual Giving Appeals

University of Chicago

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL, USA
Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2023

Department

ARD Annual Giving


About the Department

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.

Within the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving (AEAG) team oversees a diverse set of programs and initiatives designed to increase participation and engagement among alumni, parents, and friends of the University, with a focus on driving key University priorities. Under the direction of the Executive Director, AEAG, this team is responsible for achieving ambitious participation, engagement, and fundraising goals within the College and broader University.

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


Job Summary

Sets and achieves University fundraising and engagement goals. Designs, manages, and executes development strategies and programs to maximize philanthropic support for the University’s priorities. Increases engagement and participation of the University’s worldwide community of alumni, parents, families and friends via diversified communication programs and activities.

Responsibilities

  • Implements direct marketing solicitation strategies using industry best practices for achieving an annual increase in revenue and key participation metrics through direct mail, email, web, telemarketing, and social media channels.

  • Coordinates and implements solicitation and communication activities with teams across campus.

  • Coordinates design and production of all annual giving solicitations. Partners with Senior Associate Director of Annual Giving Appeals and ARD Communications to develop and implement targeted and highly personalized full-cycle integrated solicitation strategies.

  • Manages production of all annual giving solicitations, including overseeing the fulfillment of data needs.

  • Develops and strengthens key relationships with unit partners to create, execute, and report on annual giving solicitation strategies.

  • Reviews and reports progress to goals by monitoring donor and gift activity. Analyzes renewal, retention, and acquisition rates.

  • Develops and maintains client relationships with various University constituencies, primarily The College, to increase annual revenue, key participation metrics, and overall engagement with the University.

  • Serves as primary point of contact for external print vendors and mail houses.

  • Thinks critically, strategically, and creatively about how direct response channels contribute to the overall goals and progress of AEAG , including dollars, donors, and undergraduate participation.

  • Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession.

  • Assists in leading the planning and implementation of programs to identify, visit, and solicit alumni, parents, and other constituencies within an assigned geographical region for gifts and tries to reach fundraising goal. Does this with a limited level of guidance and direction.

  • Has a deep understanding of plans to solicit prospective donors and meet campaign goals. This includes speaking to new prospects persuasively about the case for annual giving support.

  • Ensures quality control when monitoring various marketing channels by developing a targeted strategy for solicitation and marketing materials as well as campaign appeals, solving a range of moderately complex problems as they arise.

  • May collaborate with some divisions and schools, and relays information regarding capacity and inclination to give to the appropriate channels in the University through knowledge of the University process.

  • 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree.

  • Advanced degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum five years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.

  • Experience with fundraising, contact management, or other database software.

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

  • A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.

  • 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.

  • Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative.

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

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.

  • Travel domestic and internationally.

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

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)

  • Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)


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


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

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

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.