Associate Director, Major Gifts, PSD - JR26721-3800

at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Drives and supports PSD activity for Major Gifts. Reports to and coordinates this activity with the PSD Director of Development.
• Collaborates with the Director of Development, Prospect Management, and Prospect Research to identify and target key gaps in coverage among prospect segments with promising fundraising potential and build the major gift pipeline.
• Identifies suspects, prospects, and cross-unit or multi-unit solicitation opportunities.
• Achieves personal fundraising activity goals monthly, quarterly, and annually. Maintains active and regular travel schedule to meet with donors and prospective donors.
• Organizes and executes donor visit preparation, follow-up, and trip planning for self and others, which includes partnering with the Associate Director, PSD and other ARD staff to generate briefings, proposals, solicitation plans, gift documentation, and gift recognition plans.
• Connects ARD generalist gift officers with PSD leadership. Creates opportunities for officers to learn about the research and fundraising priorities of the Division and to include the Division in multi-unit solicitations.
• Establishes and maintains strong links between PSD and ARD colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to multi-interest prospects and donors and the implementation of fundraising best practices. Earns shared solicitation credit as a key partner for ARD generalists and fundraisers in other units as opportunities for collaborative solicitations arise.
• Prepares confidential briefings for events and individual meetings for the PSD Director of Development, Dean, and other University leaders as needed.
• Develops PSD materials such as funding priorities talking points, department updates, proposal language, toolkits, pitches, gift opportunities, etc. for gift officers.
• Serves as lead communications strategist for PSD Council.
• Works with Assistant Director to identify and refine useful reporting from CRM (Phoenix).
• Prepared, in a small team, to pitch in on other tasks as necessary.
• Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Establishes fundraising goals and priorities based on department objectives, designs strategies to meet those goals, and monitors progress against goals.
• Identifies, analyzes, and qualifies donor interest to maximize giving. Helps with overall planning for the University's most important prospects. Works independently to develop communication strategies for projects, including publications and public presentations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

• Bachelor's or advanced degree.

• A minimum of five years of professional work experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, donor relations, nonprofit management, research, marketing, communications, sales or similar professional work.
• Proven record of accomplishment in solicitations and cultivation of prospective donors or sales and client development.
• A minimum of one year of leading a project team or managing staff.

• 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 Griffin (the University's Donor Relationship Management System), Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

• 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, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

• 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.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)