Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving

Department

Harris School Development

About the Department

Policy with real impact doesn’t evolve from ideology or intuition, or even experience. At the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, developing effective public policy is a science, based on data and measurable impact.Addressing today’s interconnected, global challenges requires rigorous inquiry. It also requires innovative people who will face the facts, gather data, and understand why current policies exist to improve them.For more than 30 years, the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy has been steadfastly committed to serving society by advancing analysis- and evidence-informed policy. Guided by this exacting mission, our community of faculty, students, and alumni from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors are taking on the world’s most important problems by using the latest tools of social science.Harris Public Policy offers a full range of degree and executive education programs and is the academic home to research centers, institutes, and labs that study and engage the public on areas such as conflict, democracy and effective government, economic and political development, education, energy and environment, health, municipal finance, public safety, social policy, and urban policy.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving is a key member of the University of Chicago Advancement team (Alumni Relations & Development) at the Harris School of Public Policy. This role is responsible for managing and executing key fundraising activities to increase annual giving participation among alumni and friends, with a particular emphasis on identifying, qualifying, and cultivating donor relationships at the Harris Society ($1,000+) level; overseeing reunion class giving and alumni weekend/reunion fundraising volunteer efforts; as well as serving as a collaborative partner and project manager for key development initiatives.

This position requires occasional travel and evening and weekend work to accommodate donor meetings and events.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 150 - 200 leadership annual giving prospects, with a key focus on discovery, qualification, and solicitation of new donors. Develop and execute individualized strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead milestone reunion class fundraising program by identifying and recruiting alumni volunteer committee members; developing solicitation communications as part of Harris’s overall marketing and communication strategy; maintaining committee cohesion and individual donor relationships with regular meetings, individual contacts, and fundraising updates; and ultimately executing on class-based giving strategies to maximize reunion giving.
• Support and manage a range of stewardship initiatives for annual fund donors, including the implementation of program activities related to Harris Society member stewardship.
• Serve as a strategic partner to internal colleagues on events related to, or involving, leadership donors and annual giving.
• Identifies and qualifies prospects by aiding in expanding the pool of potential donors and participating in outreach events. Manages a portfolio of prospective donors.
• Works with others to maximize prospective donor cultivation.
• Perform other associated duties and projects as assigned.

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.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in related fields (sales, grant writing, communications/marketing roles, alumni relations, recruiting/talent acquisition, stakeholder/relationship management, etc.)
• Experience with frontline fundraising is highly preferred.
• Volunteer management experience, particularly around driving peer-to-peer solicitation programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success working in development and understanding of annual giving strategies, constituencies, methods, metrics, and best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to articulate a compelling case for support.
• Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and experience handling confidential information.
• High energy level, enthusiasm, flexibility, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Familiarity with CRMs or donor management databases and basic reporting
• Strong organizational ability, attention to detail, and project management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team and to work cooperatively with other staff.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$65,000.00 - $75,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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