Department

ARD Parent and Family Philanthropy

About the Department

Alumni Relations and 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 Parent and Family Philanthropy team works with parents of current undergraduates, encouraging them to actively engage with and support the College, thus helping to help fulfill the Dean of the College’s vision and priorities. In addition to parents, the team works with key campus partners, including Admissions, Career Advancement, and the Dean of Students.

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

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Director, Parent and Family Philanthropy implements comprehensive fundraising strategies to raise major gifts in support of the mission and priorities of the College, primarily from parents in California. The Senior Associate Director identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of current and potential donors with the capacity to make gifts of between at least $100,000 and $5,000,000.

This position 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.

Travels regularly within assigned regions to meet with prospects and donors. Staffs the Dean of the College in these markets on all appropriate visits. With the Senior Director for Parent and Family Philanthropy, develops strategies for best utilizing the dean in these markets. Plans and organizes select cultivation events for groups of high-level donors and prospects. Works effectively and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues to achieve development goals and objectives. Partners with the Strategic Events team on an annual calendar of events, from strategy to execution. Partners with Regional Major Gifts, Principal Gifts, and Athletics teams on strategies and solicitations, and in particular with principal giving colleagues in California.

This position is based in Chicago but traveling will be essential.

Responsibilities

• Closes gifts between $100,000 and $5,000,000, raising $3M-$6M annually.
• Meets or exceeds activity goals for prospect qualifications, solicitations, and funds raised.
• Qualifies and manages a portfolio of approximately 125-160 College parent prospects. Develops strong relationships to build connections with and support for the school.
• Recruits prospects to join the Dean’s Parent and Family Council.
• Supports the College’s Dean, faculty, and other school leadership in the cultivation and solicitation of prospects.
• Represents the College’s top fundraising priorities, in particular support for the Odyssey Scholarship Program.
• Serves as a potential liaison with strategic campus partners.
• Coordinates with campus partners in fundraising and non-fundraising areas. Plays a consultative role in helping University colleagues plan and execute prospect strategies.
• Works closely with the Leadership Support team to ensure the Dean of the College is cultivating the best parent prospects.
• Attends evening and weekend functions, as necessary.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• 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.
• Works with Senior Leadership, Officers and Deans to design strategic objectives and action steps that will lead to the successful realization of these projects.
• 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 nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, research, communications, public relations, or similar work experience.
• Event, meeting, and conference planning or similar professional work experience.
• Leading a project team or managing staff.
• Developing and monitoring budgets.

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

• 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.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.

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)

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.

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