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 technology and emerging annual giving strategies.
• Partners with AEAG colleagues to develop and implement a strategy for the annual University-wide Giving Day.
• Develops and strengthens key relationships with campus and student life partners, including student organizations, to create and execute a proactive, student-focused strategy for leveraging crowdfunding to increase student and young alumni philanthropy.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive strategy for leveraging texting as a solicitation channel.
• Identifies and advocates for new and emerging technology solutions in support of overall goals and progress of AEAG, including dollars, donors, and undergraduate participation.
• Leads the implementation of new technologies and vendors, including product acquisition and implementation in partnership with colleagues across ARD. Ensures all system specifications meet the user needs and ensures effective and strong partnerships with IT, procurement, and data governance teams.
• Counsels’ alumni engagement and annual giving officers of various University constituencies on the most effective strategies for leveraging ARD technologies to further annual giving strategies and goals.
• 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.
• 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.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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.
• 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.
• Self-motivation and the ability to 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.
• 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)

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5 

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.