Laboratory Schools: Major Gifts Officer

Department

Lab School Alumni Relations & Development

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary

The Alumni Relations and Development department at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Lab) is recruiting talented and energetic advancement professionals in preparation for the schools’ next campaign. During the University’s Inquiry and Impact campaign and through its Lab+ initiative, the Schools secured more than $97 million in charitable contributions. The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will play an important revenue-generating role for annual giving and for priorities in the next comprehensive capital and endowment campaign.

Reporting to the Director of Development(DOD), the MGO will be a part of a fundraising team’s efforts to seek Leadership five-figure annual gifts and major gifts of $100,000 or more for capital, endowment, operational (Fund for Fund) or special projects. The MGO will collaborate with the Director of Development and the Director of Alumni Relations and Development to establish ambitious but achievable annual fundraising, proposal/solicitation and visit goals.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and maintains a portfolio of current Lab parents who have the capacity to contribute $10,000, $25,000, and more to the Fund for Lab or other budget-relieving priorities. 

• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and maintains a portfolio of parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and others who have the capacity to contribute $100,000 or more to Lab. 

• Creates a robust schedule of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits, in-person and virtual, with donors and donor prospects. A key component of this role is the qualification, via discovery visits, with individuals to expand Lab’s major gift pool, particularly among Chicagoland alumni.

• Develops and implements compelling engagement strategies to inspire high net worth individuals to maximize their philanthropic engagement with Lab.

• Raises donor sights, articulates aspirational goals and ideas, presents philanthropic opportunities in a compelling manner and closes gifts.

• Promotes gift planning techniques via major gift visits and other outreach.

• Builds knowledge and communicates effectively, both in writing and in meetings, about a range of Lab programs, priorities, and initiatives.

• Serves on Lab’s Major Gifts team.

• Assists the Director of Alumni Relations and Development , the DOD and other University ARD gift officers with strategy and solicitation partnerships when necessary. 

• Participates in Lab ARD events and assists with the recruitment of participants in and sponsors of those events. Examples include Dewey Dance, Connections, new Family receptions, alumni events, etc. 

• Seeks out professional development opportunities to bring best practices in major gifts to Lab and will enhance job performance. Includes attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.

• Assists with ARD office functions, as assigned. 

• Identifies, analyzes, and qualifies donor interest to maximize giving. Helps with overall planning efforts for the University's most important prospects. Works independently to develop communication strategies for projects, including publications and public presentations.

• Works with Senior Leadership, Officers and Deans to design strategic objectives and action steps that will lead to the successful realization of these projects.

• 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.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Five years or more relevant sales/marketing experience.

• Major gift experience at independent schools, higher education or not-for-profit organizations.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• ​Proficient with fundraising databases and reporting tools such as Blackbaud products or Salesforce.

Preferred Competencies

• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.

• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality strongly preferred.

• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

• Self-motivated and take initiative. 

• Superior written and verbal communication skills strongly preferred.

• Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills strongly preferred.

• Work on own initiative, develop rapport, and work well with others strongly preferred.

• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately under strict deadlines strongly preferred.

• Thrive in a fast-paced office environment. 

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.

• Travel to campus for Lab Schools business. 

• Work evenings and weekends on occasion. 

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

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

$85,000.00 - $110,000.00

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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