Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving, PSD

ARD Physical Sciences Division Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $600 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 GPOSE (Gift Planning, Organizations, the Sciences and Engineering) 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 and 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. 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. The Assistant Director is responsible for the identification, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective annual gift 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.

This role 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.

• Drives and implements PSD activity for Leadership Annual Gifts in coordination with the PSD Senior Director of Development.
• Plans and executes a target of 100 prospect visits and 75 solicitations, traveling as necessary to visit prospects.
• Develops short- and long-term plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors who are capable of making gifts between $2,500-$100,000.
• Delivers timely and effective follow-up in various forms to prospects and donors, including customized fundraising proposals.
• Generates timely contact reports in the prospect database following prospect or donor visits.
• Maintains expert-level knowledge of the University of Chicago and Physical Sciences Division giving priorities and annual funds.
• Organizes and executes donor visit preparation, follow-up, trip planning, and solicitation strategy, which includes partnering with PSD and ARD staff to generate briefings, proposals, solicitation plans, gift documentation, and gift recognition plans.
• Manages annual appeals, including departmental newsletters, Giving Day, etc.
• Serves as development liaison to a subset of PSD departments, advising on fundraising activity in consultation with the Senior Director. Collaborates with Divisional partners to build a cohesive alumni outreach strategy.
• Ensures that individual prospects are acknowledged in a timely, personalized, and expert manner. Researches and prepares stewardship reports and acknowledgments for donors. Coordinates stewardship efforts with the donor relations team.
• Collaborates with staff throughout Alumni Relations and Development.
• Works closely with the Senior Director on implementation of PSD’s alumni relations programming. 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 building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Identifies and qualifies prospects by aiding in expanding the pool of potential donors and participating in outreach events. Manages a portfolio of prospective donors.
• Writes timely and strategic correspondence to advance relationships.
• Performs other related work as needed.

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

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree.

• Minimum two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work.
• Knowledge of managing gift prospects.
• Familiar with prospect management, research and/or other advancement services.
• Soliciting and closing gifts of $100 or more.

• 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.

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

• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.
• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in-office presence.

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

Alumni Relations & Development Individual Contributor 37.5 No No No Salary Exempt $63,750.00 - $75,000.00 Yes