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 ARD, 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: 

The job solves moderately complex problems related to the institution’s campaign for annual gift support from all constituents, including alumni. Conducts comprehensive estate planning and deferred giving programs in alignment with the developmental goals of the University with very limited level of guidance and direction.

Responsibilities: 

• Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, leads a team focused on annual giving fundraising appeals, with a special focus on direct marketing and digital campaigns. This includes direct mail, email, web, telemarketing, social media channels, and Giving Day programs.
• Develops and implements direct marketing solicitation strategies using industry best practices for achieving an annual increase in revenue and key participation metrics through direct mail, email, web, telemarketing, and social media channels.
• Coordinates solicitation and communication activities with teams across campus. Counsels annual giving officers of various University constituencies on the most effective use of mass solicitation strategies. 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.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage technology and emerging strategies to meet annual giving goals University-wide.  Uses research and analysis of alumni giving patterns to improve solicitation techniques, segmentation, and predictive analytics.
• Analyze renewal, retention and acquisition rates. Review and report on progress to goal by monitoring donor and gift activity. Adjust strategies based on analysis of results.
• Coordinate design and production of all annual giving solicitations. Partner with Director of Annual Giving and ARD Communications to develop and implement targeted and highly personalized full-cycle integrated solicitation strategies.
• Thinks critically, strategically, and creatively about how direct response channels contribute to the overall goals and progress of AEAG, including dollars, donors, and undergraduate participation. Conducts regular review of direct marketing strategies, metrics, reporting, and solicitation efforts.
• Hires, manages, evaluates, and retains top talent. Provide direct management of staff responsible for fundraising strategy. Sets clear goals and expectations.
• 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.
• 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.
• Management experience, including staff.
• 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.
• Experience with Salesforce CRM.

Preferred Competencies: 

• Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and to encourage growth and change in both people and programs. 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)

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.