Careers

Job Description:

• Provides leadership, vision, and oversight for the University of Chicagoâ™s Division of the Humanities comprehensive fundraising program with a focus on deepening engagement and relationships with donors and prospects at all levels with a focus on those with capacity to make significant philanthropic gifts ($100k+) in support of Divisional priorities.
• Builds and manages relationships with a portfolio of 40-60 of the Divisionâ™s most significant donors and potential prospects with capacity to make major ($100k+) and principal gifts ($5M+) to the Division. The Team raises $10M-$20M each year and the Director will lead that effort and be expected to drive the bulk of that philanthropy in partnership with the Dean and senior colleagues across ARD.
• Shapes and grows the Divisionâ™s donor pipeline at all levels through leadership annual giving, major gift, and principal gift programs according to best practices and in collaboration with the Dean of the Division, the AVP, and ARD colleagues.
• Coordinates all activity related to seeking philanthropic support for the Division of the Humanities, working closely with gift Officers University-wide to monitor and facilitate growth of the Divisionâ™s prospect pool.
• Manages two direct reports, a major gifts officer focused on prospects with the capacity and inclination for gifts of $100K+, as well as an assistant director that managing annual giving, stewardship, and other advancement services processes.
• In partnership with the Dean, functions as the point person, and provides leadership, for the Division of the Humanities Council.
• Travels with, and regularly staffs, the Dean of the Division in their work with high-capacity individual prospects.
• Provides leadership for the divisionâ™s development efforts by creating the case for support for key areas of priority; works closely with the Dean and ARD colleagues to develop divisional priorities in preparation for an upcoming campus-wide fundraising campaign.
• Establishes fundraising goals and priorities based on department objectives, designs strategies to meet those goals, and monitors progress against goals. Manages a portfolio of current and potential donors.
• Hires, manages, evaluates, and develops staff as needed and as assigned; actively encourages staff members' professional growth and participation in the life of the University.
• Monitors and manages an annual budget. Addresses budget variances as they occur.
• 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.
• Manages department strategies and plans to achieve University fundraising goals.
• May recruit staff volunteers and provide leadership and evaluation to staff members.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum seven years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.
• Leading a project team or managing staff.
• Soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Developing and monitoring budgets.
• Expertise managing complex prospects and donor pipeline.
• Working with volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience fostering partnership and collaboration.
• Demonstrated record of organizing successful fundraising, marketing, or membership programs.
• Demonstrated success of meeting or exceeding goals.

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

• Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen deeply, speak clearly, and effectively convey ideas verbally and in writing.
• Brand ambassador for the Division of the Humanities and the University of Chicago.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial mindset.

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 and/or at the Division of the Humanities.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

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 the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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