Executive Director, Regional Advancement, Central

Department

ARD Regional Advancement (Central)

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.

Job Summary

As part of the University of Chicago’s Regional Advancement Team, the Executive Director, Regional Advancement -Central (ED) provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for the University’s advancement activities in the Central United States and manages the Regional Advancement - Central advancement team. In preparation for a new major fundraising campaign, this newly created role will lead the development of a comprehensive University-wide strategy to maximize donor engagement for qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals and families capable of making significant philanthropic investments in support of the University’s highest priorities and to grow the donor community in the region with a focus on the Chicago metro area. The ED and the Regional Advancement - Central advancement team will play a key role in driving philanthropic growth and sustainability in the region during the campaign.

The role manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff who execute programs designed to meet fundraising goals for contributed income. Manages relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts. Develops communication strategies for projects and contributes to the development of larger advancement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads a coordinated campus-wide strategy and program of activities to deepen relationships and maximize UChicago’s presence in the Central United States with a focus on the Chicago metro area. 
• Leads and manages a team of high performing professional fundraisers, provides leadership and oversight of the team activities, determines and evaluates goals, and trains and mentors staff.  
• Manages a portfolio of key donors and constituents with the ability to make six, seven, and eight-figure gifts.  Once established, personally responsible for $5M+ in new gift commitments and 50+ visits annually.  
• Works in coordination with ARD colleagues in all divisions to implement sophisticated, integrated, efficient, and impactful presence across all UChicago constituents and strategically involve campus leadership and faculty. 
• Actively drives ongoing research and understanding of the region for the University and reports regularly about activities and opportunities.  
• Oversees and develops events and programs to expand constituent participation and donor engagement within the region, as needed. 
• Acts as the lead strategist and liaison for unit partners to evaluate opportunities and build increased regional fundraising capacity.  
• Ensures that team members' activity and prospect work is prioritized appropriately and that portfolios are healthy and sustainable with a robust pipeline focused on building deep meaningful relationships on behalf of the University that lead to the greatest possible philanthropic outcomes.  
• Works with the team to construct and implement effective individualized prospect cultivation and solicitation plans for managed prospects and to deliver regular engagement and timely and compelling communications. 
• Provides leadership and regular reporting on fundraising and engagement activities to key campus stakeholders, including ARD, units and divisions, and others.  
• Collaborates closely with alumni relations and unit colleagues to develop cohesive and coordinated regional plans to ensure alignment between engagement and fundraising strategies and activities.  
• Develops relationships with key volunteers and institutional leaders and prepares and accompanies key volunteers and institutional leaders for interactions that advance fundraising strategies with prospects in the region. 
• Coaches, supports, and evaluates a diverse team of professionals. Actively encourages staff members’ professional growth, development, and participation in the life of the University. 
• Oversees and maintains the annual team budget and long-range plans for the region. 
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession. 
• Develops department strategies and plans to ac