at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
DepartmentLibrary Administration - Development
About the Department
The UChicago Library is not simply a building filled with books and scholarly materials. We are thinking differently about what a library is and could be. We are forging new paths and aiming to make a significant impact at the University of Chicago, as well as in a leadership position in the global knowledge environment. We are committed to providing learning opportunities and community enrichment for all who walk through our doors or participate in our programs across Chicago.
During the 2025-26 academic year, the Library is leading the campus-wide Year of Games. Our flagship program will be a symposium for lively conversations on gaming scholarship, as well as networking for students with industry representatives. At the Joseph Regenstein Library, we will not only be providing our patrons with games to play and enjoy, we will also be presenting the exhibition Charting Imaginary Worlds: Why Fantasy and Games are Inseparable to explore the relationship between fantasy and games as one of reciprocal influence, converging over time.
On the longer horizon, we have aspirations to position the UChicago Library as an international leader in information services and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and other related areas. With rapidly changing technology, it is essential to be able to identify the authority and authenticity of information resources. As one example, the development of our Digital Literacy and AI Competency Program will establish the Library as a key partner in helping the University community to develop the digital literacy skills needed to navigate today's complicated world, focusing on issues related to AI, news and media literacy, visual literacy, data literacy, and copyright.
Job Summary
Reporting to and working in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Development & Strategic Initiatives, the Senior Associate Director of Development is primarily responsible for managing the Library's growing and evolving Development team, as well as securing gifts and grants to help realize our ambitions plans. Embedded at the Library, the Senior Associate Director of Development will work in partnership with the University of Chicago's central Alumni Relations and Development Office to ensure a coordinated strategy for Library fundraising within the University context.
The ideal candidate will bring experience in development, preferably in an educational setting, with a proven track record of delivering on financial and engagement targets; experience managing staff using mentorship and coaching; and motivated by an enthusiasm for the Library's mission, vision, principles, and strategic plan.
Responsibilities
- Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward University alumni and friends who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $50,000+.
- Plan and execute a target of 100 prospect visits per year, 24 major gift solicitations, and an agreed upon fundraising dollar target.
- Manage a portfolio of 100-150 prospects by qualifying prospects through email, phone and in person communication.
- Determine timely cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for prospects in portfolio.
- Arrange for prospects to meet with appropriate Library leadership, librarians and staff when needed as part of a cultivation strategy.
- Deliver timely and effective follow-up to prospects and donors, which would include generating customized fundraising proposals.
- Write timely contact reports for prospect database following prospect and donor visits.
- Oversee and develop events and programs to expand prospect and donor engagement, serving as key partner for stewardship of the Library's major gift donors and planned giving donors.
- Establish fundraising goals and priorities based on department objectives, design strategies to meet those goals, and monitor progress against goals.
- Analyze the Library's donor and prospect pools, tracking and maintaining the status of strategic initiatives, updating case statements/vision documents, and preparing overview items that capture priorities at a high level.
- Manage the department on a day-to-day basis and mentor Library Development staff, including a frontline gift officer who manages an annual giving prospect portfolio.
- 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.
- Assists in leading the planning and implementation of programs to identify, visit, and solicit alumni, parents, and other constituencies within an assigned geographical region for gifts and tries to reach fundraising goal. Does this with a limited level of guidance and direction.
- Has a deep understanding of plans to solicit prospective donors and meet campaign goals. This includes speaking to new prospects persuasively about the case for annual giving support.
- Perform 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's or advanced degree.
Experience:
- Minimum five years of professional work experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, donor relations, nonprofit management, research, marketing, communications, sales or similar professional work experience.
- Proven record of accomplishment in solicitations and cultivation of prospective donors or sales and client development.
- Minimum one year of leading a project team or managing staff.
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
- Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write effectively.
- Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
- Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative.
- Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
- Translate research into language accessible for the public.
- Participate personally in gift strategies and solicitations.
- An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to new programs in an emerging and changing environment.
- Embraces the mission and vision of the Library and becomes knowledgeable about the work of faculty across departments to connect meaningfully with alumni and friends.
Working Conditions
- Standard office environment.
- Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
- Work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Hybrid work schedule.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Professional References (3) required
- Cover Letter addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Alumni Relations & Development
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$89,250.00 - $105,000.00
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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