Associate Director, Development, PME - JR26662-3800

at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Drives PME activity for major gifts. Manages portfolio of 80 -100 prospects. Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals or institutions that have the capacity and interest to make five and six-figure gift commitments to PME.
• 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 leadership annual, major gift, and planned giving pipelines.
• Achieves personal fundraising activity goals monthly, quarterly, and annually. Maintains active and regular local travel schedule to meet with donors and prospective donors.
• Assists in the planning and execution of strategic events and programs designed to advance relationships with prospects and donors, including the semi-annual PME Advisory Council meetings.
• Cultivates relationships with PME Advisory Council members and develops corresponding solicitation strategies.
• Leads or contributes to development communications including writing appeal letters and development talking points, briefings, and proposals; creating and overseeing donor content for print and digital publications; and collaborating and liaising with PME's marketing department and ARD's strategic communications and direct response teams.
• Develops and implements compelling plans for stewardship and donor relations and seeks new and innovative ways to engage donors and prospective donors in order to increase fundraising.
• Provides leadership in the development department and serves as project manager for key initiatives as assigned.
• Establishes and maintains strong links between PME and ARD colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to multi-interest prospects and donors and the implementation of fundraising best practices.
• Works with Assistant Director to identify and refine useful reporting from development CRM.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Has a deep understanding of fundraising operations for a school or department of the University. Participates in the development of fundraising goals, policies and short and long-term strategies. Assesses, analyzes and evaluates fundraising programs, specialized projects or major events.
• Prepares annual development reports assessing progress toward achievement of goals. Analyzes and evaluates information to identify trends and patterns, evaluates strategies and makes recommendations.
• 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 efforts 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 degree.
• Advanced degree.

• Minimum five years of professional work experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, donor relations, nonprofit management, research, marketing, communications, or similar professional work experience.
• Proven record of accomplishment in solicitations and cultivation of prospective donors.
• Leading a project team or managing staff.
• Working with academic or non-profit leaders, especially in fields relating to the sciences.

• 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.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication 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)