Executive Director, Development

Department

Booth Advancement

About the Department

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Executive Director, Development is a senior leader responsible for shaping and driving the strategic direction of Chicago Booth’s Major Gifts and Annual Giving programs. This role guides the vision, strategy, and execution needed to strengthen donor engagement, grow the pipeline, and increase philanthropic investment in support of Booth’s mission and the University’s comprehensive campaign.

The Executive Director serves as a key partner to the CAO and supports Advancement’s work with the Dean, Deputy Deans, faculty, and Centers, helping articulate priorities and preparing academic leadership for donor meetings and solicitations. As a member of the senior leadership team and a contributing member of the Principal Gifts team, the Executive Director helps ensure alignment, coordination, and momentum across Booth’s fundraising efforts. This leader manages a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of $1M+ gifts while overseeing a high-performing frontline fundraising team and annual fund team. The Executive Director is responsible for developing coordinated annual and multi-year fundraising plans, fostering a collaborative, data-informed culture that empowers staff at all levels to succeed, and, in partnership with the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, market planning in primary and secondary markets.

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategy, planning, and execution of Major Gifts and Annual Giving programs, which focus on gifts below $10 million, ensuring alignment with Booth priorities.
• Supports Booth Advancement and the CAO’s relationships with the Dean and faculty in developing fundraising priorities and preparing for donor engagements.
• Drives expansion of Chicago Booth’s donor pipeline in partnership with Alumni Engagement, Communications, Donor Relations, Prospect Management and Research, Events, and other internal teams leveraging volunteer leadership, reunion giving, and milestone-based engagement strategies.
• Sets ambitious goals for the leadership annual giving especially the Dean’s Society, reunion giving, and major gift programs, including gift officer activity to help support Booth’s fundraising targets.
• Strengthens a culture of philanthropy for new and existing donors at all levels, including the broad base of those giving below $2,500.
• Manages a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of $1M+ gifts.
• Serves as a member of the Principal Gifts team, contributing to coordinated cultivation strategies for Booth’s highest-level prospects.
• Alongside alumni engagement, oversees strategic market plans in primary and secondary regions to deepen engagement and expand cultivation opportunities.
• Develops annual and campaign-aligned fundraising plans for Major Gifts and Annual Giving.
• Leads, mentors, and grows a high-performing fundraising team, promoting a culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Contributes to strategic planning as a member of the senior leadership team and supports the work of the Council on Chicago Booth, which is led by Alumni Engagement.
• Oversees the development of department strategies and plans to achieve fundraising goals.
• Provide leadership and assessment of staff.
• 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 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree. 

Experience:

• Program management experience.
• Relevant experience managing academic research projects and/or working in higher education.
• Background leading a team that works in multiple locations.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.
• Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes.
• Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, and persuasion skills.
• Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods, such as in-person, email, and phone.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.

Application Documents

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

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

People Manager

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

$235,000.00 - $270,000.00

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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