Department

ADV Donor Relations Programs

About the Department

The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement raises $600 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.

The Stewardship and Events team oversees and promotes the University of Chicago’s best practices in outstanding donor stewardship and events. The University’s Donor Relations and Stewardship program is committed to providing exemplary stewardship and engagement experiences, which enhance relationships with and increase the engagement of the University's alumni, donors, and friends. 

Job Summary

This role develops and implements programs with senior leadership and colleagues to lead a comprehensive University-wide donor relations program to enrich the relationship between donors and the University. Plans, organizes, and leads the donor program to recognize, steward, and cultivate individuals in meaningful ways and at different giving levels.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the overall success of the stewardship reporting program to recognize, steward, and develop meaningful experiences for donors across the University. 
• Assists in creation of annual narrative and financial reports, demonstrating donor impact through informative and engaging stewardship reports. 
• Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with colleagues across the University, particularly with Communications, Events, and relationship managers to closely partner on stewardship projects. 
• Maintains thorough and timely records and tracks stewardship activity through proficient use of the University’s relationship database (Salesforce). 
• Handles ad hoc donor reporting or writing projects.
• Represents the donor voice, participating in the planning and execution of stewardship events and experiences that are donor-centric, advancing overall fundraising goals, and are consistent and coordinated across the University. 
• Engages with donors remotely and at visits, meetings, and events as needed. 
• Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding within the areas of recognition, acknowledgements, donor engagement, and stewardship reporting. 
• Assists in guiding the creation of University-wide standards on appropriate ways to recognize and steward the University’s most generous donors. Uses expertise in donor relations to develop policies and quality control guidelines. 
• Educates and trains colleagues on policies and best practices through a variety of communication tools and vehicles, including written information, presentations, and staff training.  
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Guides the creation of University-wide standards on appropriate ways to recognize and steward donors. Uses deep understanding in donor programs to develop policies and quality control guidelines for donor relations programs.
• Has a deep understanding within the areas of recognition, stewardship, acknowledgement, and proposal writing. Sets activity goals and develops the annual operating budget for donor related programs.
• 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 or advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations or similar field.
• Familiarity with higher education advancement.
• Managing complex projects.
• Writing, editing, and project management experience.
• Background with data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people.
• Managing cross-team projects.

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 Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System.
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows computer environment, especially Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

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.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

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

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

$74,375.00 - $87,500.00

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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