Associate Director, Advancement

Department
 

Graham Advancement & HR

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago's first president, William Rainey Harper, had a vision: that learning can, and should, be a lifelong pursuit.

Graham is the realization of that vision. Established as one of UChicago's three original divisions, our mission is to bring the University's intellectual resources and distinctive scholarly approach to a broader audience.

Job Summary
 

The Associate Director, Advancement is a key leader in the Graham School’s fundraising efforts. This role fosters a culture of philanthropy in support of Graham’s mission of lifelong learning and serves as University liaison to and relationship manager for alumni, lifelong learners, and community members.

This position manages programs designed to meet University fundraising goals for contributed income. Serves as strategist of efforts to secure gifts and build relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts. Develops communication strategies for projects.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits Graham alumni, learners, and community members. 
• Plans and executes an agreed upon target number of prospect visits per year, major gift solicitations, and fundraising dollar target. 
• Builds and manages a portfolio of 100-150 prospects by qualifying prospects through email, phone and in person communication. 
• Plans and executes strategies to engage donors who have the capacity for making gifts at the major gift and leadership annual gift. 
• Solicits annual and endowed support in collaboration with the Chief of Staff, Dean, program and academic team members. 
• Determines timely cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for prospects in portfolio. 
• Arranges for prospects to meet with appropriate leadership, instructors, and staff when needed as part of a cultivation strategy. 
• Cultivates and maintains strong and collegial relationships with various University fundraisers and regional gift officers to ensure a coordinated approach to strengthening the prospect’s or donor’s relationship with Graham. 
• Delivers timely and effective follow-up in various forms to prospects and donors, which would include generating customized fundraising proposals. 
• Writes timely contact reports for prospect database following prospect and donor visits. 
• Serves as a key partner for stewardship of major gift donors and planned giving donors to the School. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• Works with Senior Leadership, Officers and Deans to design strategic objectives and action steps that will lead to the successful realization of these projects. 
• Performs other related work as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Professional work experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, and/or donor relations.
• Proven record of accomplishment in solicit