Department

ADV Stewardship & Events

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 Advancement Events team works across Advancement and the University to create best in class event engagement opportunities and experiences for our constituents, our alumni community, donors and friends, that help foster and build connections and affinity with the University’s programs and its people.

Job Summary

The Director, Advancement Events manages a team of professionals responsible for the execution of plans for events programming, marketing, and logistics. The Director interfaces with a diverse and distinguished group of individuals both inside and outside of organization, including senior leadership in Advancement and the University. This role requires independent ownership of all aspects of assigned projects including in-depth knowledge and experience in event planning and project management in support of department goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for the planning and execution of all Advancement events, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, brand standards, and engagement goals.
• Supervises and manages the Advancement Events team of event planning professionals, including guidance on event strategy, budget management, registration management, vendor services such as food and beverage and audio/visual, and procurement needs.
• Leads the establishment and maintenance of the Advancement event calendar, ensuring coordination across units and minimizing scheduling conflicts to maximize audience engagement and resource efficiency.
• Leads the team in running post-event planning analysis for purposes of continuous improvement, leveraging data and feedback to inform future event strategies.
• Serves as the Advancement events leader on developing and maintaining event protocols including best practice consultation services and resource recommendations to Advancement partners who need guidance or outside help when running their own events. Oversees best practices toolkit and vendor database.
• Serves as an expert in understanding venues available on campus and off campus, special conditions of their use, their technological strengths and weaknesses, and departmental contacts who administer the spaces. Oversees venue database.
• Maintains familiarity and relationships with local vendors, the ranges of services that they provide, and global events industry standards and trends.
• Partners closely with Advancement and University leadership to align event objectives with broader engagement, cultivation, and stewardship strategies.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, and building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Manages the planning and execution of logistics (e.g., facility selection, menu planning, transportation arrangements, and audio/visual equipment) for organization meetings and special events. Occasionally manages high-level events. Manages events staff.
• Assists in developing policies and procedures for events. Approves the content of marketing materials and other communications.
• May assist in the development and management of event budgets. Reviews post event feedback and analyses and determines actions to improve the success of future events.
• Manages contract negotiations and the selection of vendors. Works to maintain and improve relationships with vendors and service providers.
• 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 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 seven years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work 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 Advancement, including Phoenix the University's Donor Relationship Management System.
• Proficient in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, especially Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Cvent.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and execute, thereby leading by word and by example.
• 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 a 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 addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

Job Family

Communications

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

$102,000.00 - $120,000.00

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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