Executive Director, Regional Advancement, West

Department

ADV Regional Advancement

About the Department

Meng Peeps, a national executive search firm dedicated to nonprofit institutions, primarily colleges and universities, hospitals and health systems, cultural institutions, and research institutes, has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the University of Chicago. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should apply here and feel free to visit Meng Peeps’ website for further inquiries or to review additional details about this opportunity.

https://mfpsearch.com/

Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

UChicago’s Regional Advancement team is organized into four regional teams, Central, West, East, and Global. This model is part of a broader institutional commitment, approved by the University of Chicago Board of Trustees, to expand regional advancement and discovery efforts nationwide. As the University’s chief engagement officer and lead fundraiser for the West Coast, the Executive Director will serve as UChicago’s boots-on-the-ground ambassador in the region, working in close collaboration with central and unit-based colleagues across University Advancement to ensure a unified, donor-centric approach.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago seeks an experienced and strategic advancement professional to serve as the inaugural Executive Director, Regional Advancement, West. This individual will lead a bold relaunch of UChicago’s West Coast advancement efforts, re-establishing presence, strengthening engagement, and driving philanthropic momentum in a region with deep alumni networks and extraordinary philanthropic potential.

As UChicago’s senior advancement leader on the West Coast, the Executive Director will develop and implement a cohesive regional engagement and fundraising strategy, managing a team of three, with plans to expand to four, and serving as a vital connector to University Advancement and unit-based colleagues across the institution. The Executive Director will build a dynamic regional program designed to engage high-capacity donors, strengthen key partnerships, and drive results as the University prepares to publicly launch its next comprehensive campaign.

This fully remote position reports to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement and offers flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to define a modern regional advancement model grounded in excellence, collaboration, and strategic impact.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the chief fundraiser and engagement officer for the West Coast, leading a coordinated University-wide strategy to grow philanthropic investment in the region.
• Manages a personal portfolio of 30–40 prospects capable of six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts, generating $5M+ in new gift commitments and conducting 50+ visits annually.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with donors, alumni, families, volunteers, and key institutional leaders across cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Diego.
• Coordinates closely with University Advancement and campus colleagues to deliver donor-centric experiences and elevate the University’s visibility and reputation across the region.
• Leads regional discovery efforts and provides ongoing insights to shape institutional strategy, uncover new opportunities, and drive long-term growth.
• Oversees and tracks progress toward annual and campaign-specific fundraising goals for the region, leveraging data to drive accountability and refine strategies.
• Serves as the lead liaison to campus and unit partners, supporting fundraisers working across the giving spectrum and ensuring strong alignment between regional and central/unit-based initiatives.
• Fosters collaboration across alumni relations and fundraising teams to execute integrated engagement strategies and deliver cohesive donor experiences.
• Guides the development of cultivation and solicitation strategies, manages communication with prospects, and represents the region’s interests across Advancement and University leadership.
• Manages the team’s regional budget and long-term planning efforts, ensuring optimal resource allocation and operational efficiency.
• Recruits, leads, and mentors a high-performing, geographically distributed team focused on delivering ambitious fundraising results and deepening engagement.