Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations, UChicago Urban

Department

ARD Foundation & Corporate Relations

About the Department

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.

The Foundation and Corporate Relations team (FCR) works across the University, often directly with unit leadership and faculty, to encourage collaboration, develop submissions, and secure funding from major independent foundations and corporations.

Job Summary

This role uses specialized knowledge and breadth of expertise to lead University-wide development programs focused on foundations, corporations, fundraising associations and other institutional sources of philanthropic support. Monitors the setting and achievement of fund raising goals with minimal guidance from others.

Responsibilities

• Represents the University and serves as primary ARD liaison for UChicago Urban, Economics, Policy, and Society fundraising from a broad range of independent foundations, corporate foundations and family foundations. Oversees, plans and implements high level initiatives to sustain and extend the University's relationships with, and support by, independent foundations.
• Annually conducts/supports at least 25 visits, submits at least 25 proposals at the $100K+ level totaling $14M-$30M+, and raises $5M-$8M+. Independently analyzes foundation interests, assesses opportunities, and pursues major and principal gift level foundation support for selected University programs.
• Serves as FCR liaison for key campaign strategic initiatives, including Free Inquiry and Expression and Thriving Cities.
• Proactively maintains a deep knowledge of faculty projects and institutional initiatives and strategic priorities that align well with foundation interests.
• Supervises staff. Leads, coaches and evaluates performance of direct reports.
• Oversees FCR Research arm and growth plan for the campaign, including efforts to enhance FCR strategic research efforts and corporate relations research activity.
• Collaborates and coordinates with key partners across campus, including deans, institute and center directors, faculty leaders, program directors and senior administrators to conceptualize research programs. Identifies emerging program areas with funding promise and assists in the development of new projects.
• Takes an entrepreneurial approach to developing and monitoring strategies for a portfolio of assigned foundations. Contacts foundation and corporate program officers on a regular basis to proactively explore areas of synergy and introduce faculty and programs to foundation officers.
• Oversees the FCR Research function, with a focus on developing and implementing a strategic research approach.
• Works with others to manage requests for support, prepares required reports, and develops and implements ways to promote, cultivate, and steward foundation activities across campus.
• Defines and coordinates opportunities for inclusion of foundation representatives in campus activities and special programs, both as cultivation for new grants and as stewardship for existing grants.
• Assists faculty in defining programs and budgetary needs for presentation to foundations. Prepares correspondence and other materials for senior leaders and faculty.
• Manages the execution of multiple projects, enlisting support of other staff where appropriate.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Leads requests for support, prepare required reports, and develop and implement ways to promote, cultivate, and steward foundation activities across campus. Defines, plans, and coordinates opportunities for inclusion of foundation representatives in campus activities and special programs, both as cultivation for new grants and as stewardship for existing grants.
• Meets with prospects through personal visits, phone contact, and by promoting program benefits. Independently develops proposals and raising gifts from corporate donors for all restricted corporate gifts, including identification of opportunities, composing solicitation letters, communication with the prospects, and supervision of the gift acknowledgment process.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related f