Senior Associate Director, Regional Advancement, Central

Senior Associate Director

The Senior Associate Director plans and implements a coordinated advancement program of fundraising and strategic cultivation activities for the University of Chicago in the Central region of the United States, including in states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. This encompasses identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects in the region for Academic Divisions, the College, Professional Schools, and other areas of the University, and executing strategic events and engagement opportunities that grow the donor pipeline and deepen relationships with the University.

Responsibilities include identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni, parents, and friends who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $100K-$4.9M to the University of Chicago. Develops and manages a personal fundraising portfolio of 100+ high-net-worth donors and prospects with the capacity and inclination to make major ($100K+) annually, with 85+ corresponding prospect visits. Builds and manages a prospect pipeline that could yield as much as 20 major gift solicitations, and $3 million in booked gift commitments at steady state. Partners with senior leaders to establish fundraising goals and priorities aligned with departmental objectives; designs and monitors strategies to achieve results. Provides leadership and management to multiple fundraising professionals, including discovery and leadership gift officers, ensuring work is strategically prioritized and portfolio activity meets goals and expectations. Works closely with Advancement senior leadership to establish fundraising goals and objectives and evaluate progress. Collaborates cross-functionally with senior leaders and partner units to develop and enhance leadership gift officer and discovery officer programs. Mentors and coaches fundraisers across the Midwest, West Coast, and East Coast; partners with their managers to set goals, build skills, secure resources, and drive performance. Achieves fundraising and activity goals on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Prepares senior administrators for prospect engagement, including briefing materials and strategy. Identifies, cultivates, and develops relationships with alumni, parents, and friends with significant giving capacity. Partners with unit directors of development, Deans, Officers, Faculty Directors, and other University leaders to shape and execute regional fundraising strategies and drive activity. Plans, briefs, and may accompany University leadership on prospect and donor visits, as appropriate. 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 requirements include a college or university degree in a related field and knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor's or advanced degree, minimum five years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work, minimum five years of soliciting and closing major gifts, minimum two years of management experience, including staff management, and a proven record of accomplishment in devising cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. Background providing timely and effective follow-up to prospects and donors, crafting compelling fundraising proposals, and creating clear, concise briefing materials for development and academic leadership is also preferred. Understanding of data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people, managing cross-team projects, demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System, and proficiency in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, especially Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access are also preferred.

Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply. Manage confidential information with discretion and tact. Effectively use data to manage the portfolio and programs, as well as report on progress and outcomes. Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting. Self-motivated and take initiative. Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail are also preferred competencies.

This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence. Standard office environment. Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business. Work evenings and weekends as needed. This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Application Documents: Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (preferred) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.