Job Description:

• Drives and supports SSD activity for Leadership Annual Gifts. Coordinates this activity with the SSD Senior Associate Director of Development. Identifies, cultivates, and solicits prospective donors who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $1,500 to $50,000 or more. Aiming for $500k - $1M solicitations per year.
• Qualifies new prospects and segments of the alumni pool. Maintains a strong focus on stewardship and upgrade of current donors. Determines creative cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Arranges for prospects to meet with appropriate University staff and faculty. Plans and executes a local strategy to affiliate alumni donors with long-range potential for major gifts.
• Seeks and uncovers potential for planned gifts and works in partnership with gift planning colleagues on securing such commitments.
• Builds and manages a portfolio of 150 â“ 200 individual prospects and donors aiming for an annual fundraising goal of $200k - $350k in booked gifts.
• Writes timely and strategic correspondence to advance relationships. Organizes and executes donor engagement preparation; follows-up; and plans trips as needed for self, the SSD Senior DOD, Dean, and others, which includes partnering with SSD and ARD staff to generate briefings, proposals, solicitation plans, gift documentation, and gift recognition plans.
• Develops solicitation strategy and writes compelling fundraising proposals. May collaborate with the communications team for proposal content or format. 
• In collaboration with team colleagues, ensures that individual prospects are acknowledged in a timely, personalized, and expert manner. Researches and prepares stewardship reports for donors. Coordinates stewardship efforts with the donor relations team.
• Works with others to maximize prospective donor cultivation. Focuses on keeping SSD prospects and donors involved and informed of ongoing projects, developments, and advancements at the University. Collaborates with staff throughout ARD to increase leadership annual gift activity on behalf of the SSD team.  
• Works closely with the Senior Associate Director on implementation of SSDâ™s alumni relations programming, including reunion and regional engagements. Links current donors and friends with events such as lectures, symposia, conferences and public forums.
• Assists in the development and execution of strategic events, including alumni engagement activities and cultivation events for both current and prospective donors.
• 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.
• Writes timely and strategic correspondences to advance relationships.
• Works with others to maximize prospective donor cultivation.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work.
• Familiar with research and prospect management.
• Background in prospect management, research and/or other advancement services.

â‹â‹â‹â‹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

• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a fast-paced team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Attend and help with weekend and evening events as needed.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write well with a strong commitment to customer service.

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.

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