Job Description:

• Produce, review, and approve gift agreements and other gift-related instruments in a timely and consistent manner University-wide, ensuring that such agreements clearly and concisely convey gift terms and memorialize the Universityâ™s obligations and donorâ™s intent for the gift.

• Consult, negotiate, and collaborate with fundraisers and donors (and their advisors) on final terms of gift agreements, ensuring agreements campus-wide are in compliance with relevant University and ARD policies.

• Partner with Director on complex and unconventional gift agreements.

• Assist with the development of gift acceptance policy, act as central ARD resource concerning gift acceptance policy, and ensure gifts are accepted in compliance with such policy.

• Advise ARD staff on potential administrative, financial, and/or legal issues that may arise with proposed gift terms.

• Secure gift acceptance policy exceptions from Vice President or other appropriate leadership during gift agreement development process.

• Liaise with ARD and University partners including the Office of Legal Counsel, academic and administrative units, the Provostâ™s Office, Donor Relations, University Research Administration and Office of Gift Planning to ensure stakeholdersâ™ approval of intended use and terms of gift and to help mitigate risk/ensure gift terms are consistent with relevant legal requirements, reputational risk standards, and University policies and practices.

• Represent the University of Chicago in gift agreement writers peer groups and participate in benchmarking with peer institutions.

• Implement and make use of technology such as DocuSign, Salesforce, Fundriver, and other cutting-edge technology to evolve and manage workflow processes, including ticketing system, and enhance donor and campus partner experience.

• Develop, evolve, and maintain processes and tools necessary to support the gift acceptance and agreement functions.

• Serve as ARD resource, and advisor, regarding donor agreements, gift acceptance policies, and gift acceptance procedures. Promote best practices and train ARD staff and campus stakeholders on the donor agreement process.

• Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.

• Initiates, plans, and executes projects for proactive monitoring of gift data and clean up. Analyzes information in the database and looks for inconsistencies and problems with gift data.

• Serves as gift liaison to fundraisers and fundraising departments to provide assistance with gift and biographical processing, training, and solicitations. Works with the Bursar and Comptroller offices to track and reconcile gifts and with University Research Administration in the processing of grants. Ensures the timeliness and accuracy of gifts and biographical data and that they are processed along with the distribution of donor gift receipts.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Coursework in tax/accounting, business, finance, professional or legal writing, gift operations or non-profit management.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of professional experience in nonprofit management, donor relations, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.

• Leading a project team or managing staff.

• Developing and monitoring budgets.

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 the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and to encourage growth and change in both people and programs. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.

• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.

• Act with integrity, professionalism, kindness, and confidentiality.

• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.

• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative.

• Prioritize and manage multiple projects independently with a high attention to detail.

• Think strategically and holistically to solve complex problems and formulate innovative solutions.

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, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

About University of Chicago (UC)

One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, the University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, UChicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping UChicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.

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