About the Department: 

Medicine and Biological Sciences Development’s mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy at the University of Chicago Medicine by building relationships with those who share its goals of advancing excellence in research, education, community, and patient care. We accomplish this mission through expertise, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.

Job Summary: 

The job plans and executes the institution’s campaign for annual gift support from all constituents, including alumni, and solves straightforward problems as they arise.

Responsibilities: 

• The Assistant Director is responsible for the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective donors who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $2,500 to $100K+ and builds a pipeline of future major gift donors.
• Builds and manages a portfolio of at least 200-300 individual prospects and donors, and has an annual fundraising goal of $500K – $1.5M, which includes multi-year commitments and 3rd party event revenue.
• Leverages existing engagement opportunities, events, phone calls, and visits to secure annual gifts and begin a stewardship experience that leads to major gifts in the future.
• Plans and implements strategies for a coordinated program of fundraising activities for leadership gift prospects. Qualifies newly identified prospects; assesses their capacity and inclination to give and areas of interest.
• Utilizes the stewardship program and other available resources to keep prospects and donors involved and informed of ongoing projects, developments, and advancements at the UCM. Collaborates with staff throughout MBSD to increase leadership annual gift activity on behalf of the UCM and the Biological Sciences.
• Plans and executes a target of 150 prospect calls and visits and 75 solicitations, traveling as necessary to meet prospective donors, in the community, at events or with faculty. Develops solicitation strategy and writes compelling fundraising proposals. May collaborate with the Development Marketing and Communications team for proposal content or format.
• Ensures that individual prospects are acknowledged in a timely, personalized, and expert manner. Researches and prepares stewardship reports for donors making expendable gifts. Coordinates stewardship efforts with the Donor Relations team.
• Identifies reports required to track and analyze stewardship activity including appeal results; donor movement through giving levels; donor retention; and fundraising projections.
• Contributes to the development of plans to solicit prospective donors and meet campaign goals. This includes speaking to new prospects persuasively about the case for annual giving support.
• Collaborates with all 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience:

• Professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience.
• Knowledge of managing gift prospects and fundraising volunteers.
• Experience in soliciting and closing gifts of $2,500 or more.

Preferred Competencies: 

• Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills.
• Strong commitment to customer service.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University.
• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and to execute, thereby leading by word and by example required; ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative required; outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write well.
• Must be flexible and adaptable to new programs in an emerging and changing environment.

Application Documents: 

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover letter (required)

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.