Assistant Director of Development, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth

Department ADV Climate and Sustainable Growth About the Department The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement 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 Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) advances the University of Chicago’s commitment to confronting the global climate challenge through rigorous research, education, and engagement that drive scalable, market‑based solutions. The IMSG development team partners with faculty and university leadership to secure philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and organizations that share this mission. Together, they accelerate research on markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy and technology, as well as support innovative educational programs that prepare future leaders in climate and sustainability. The Development team leads efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in close collaboration with colleagues across Advancement. Through strategic outreach, targeted engagement opportunities, and high‑level events, the team deepens relationships with supporters and expands the visibility of IMSG’s work within the University community and beyond. Job Summary The Assistant Director supports the execution of a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy that advances the Institute’s mission. Working closely with the Director of Development and colleagues across Advancement, this role helps implement programs to meet contributed income goals, develop and strengthen relationships with alumni, friends, faculty, administrators, and organizations with philanthropic potential, and execute communication, engagement, cultivation and stewardship efforts that deepen support for IMSG priorities. This position implements programs designed to meet fundraising goals for contributed income with moderate guidance, builds relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts, and executes communication strategies for projects. The Assistant Director manages and supports a range of high‑level fundraising and engagement initiatives, including prospect and campaign tracking, donor communications, alumni engagement, stewardship activities, and major fundraising projects. In addition, the Assistant Director supports the IMSG Alumni Group and helps coordinate events such as advisory group meetings, institute convenings, and other engagement opportunities that connect alumni, partners, and key stakeholders to IMSG’s mission and impact. Responsibilities Supports the Director of Development in all aspects of IMSG fundraising strategy and execution, and provides strategic planning support to the Director and IMSG team. Manages and tracks the status of IMSG campaign initiatives, including maintaining prospect lists, updating case statements, and preparing high‑level overviews of campaign priorities. Prepares and maintains up‑to‑date materials that capture IMSG priorities, including case statements, proposals, and presentation decks for use by the Director, Faculty Director and other leaders. Assists with prospect development and portfolio management, including qualifications, developing giving opportunities, and coordinating with internal partners to move gifts forward. Collaborates with colleagues across the University to identify, research and track new prospects for IMSG priorities. Manages the stewardship and acknowledgment process for gifts to IMSG, working with the Director, faculty and unit administrators to ensure timely and meaningful follow‑up. Contributes to special appeals and giving day campaigns by working with the communications team to develop targeted content that highlights IMSG impact and opportunities for support. Works with the Director to manage the IMSG Alumni Group and engage alumni active in the climate and energy sector. Collaborates with the Director and IMSG leadership to plan, implement and follow up on local and regional events for prospective and current donors, alumni and partners. Tracks and assesses event outcomes as they relate to giving, engagement and new prospect development. Maintains accurate donor and prospect records in the Advancement Salesforce CRM system, including visit notes, engagement history and solicitation tracking. Manages internal reporting cycles, ensuring timely updates on campaign progress, prospect movement and proposal status. Functions as a database power user and in‑house expert, extracting and analyzing data from Phoenix and other systems to produce custom reports, spreadsheets, charts and summaries. Coordinates communication processes for key announcements and events involving IMSG prospects and donors, ensuring alignment with Advancement and University Communications. Drafts and edits materials, such as event briefings, prospect strategy documents and correspondence. Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including attending webinars, seminars and building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions. Writes timely and strategic correspondences to advance relationships. Works with others to maximize prospective donor cultivation. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: College or university degree in a related field. Experience: 2‑5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree. Experience: Minimum of two years of professional experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, donor relations, nonprofit management, research, marketing, communications, sales or a similar field. Background in fundraising, contact management or other database software. Familiarity with research and prospect management. Experience with prospect management, research and/or other advancement services. Working knowledge of planning and executing events requiring a high attention to detail. Technical Skills or Knowledge Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to Advancement, including Phoenix, the University’s Donor Relationship Management System. Proficient in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, especially Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Trello. Preferred Competencies Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak and write effectively. Manages confidential information with discretion and tact. Act with integrity, professionalism and confidentiality. Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting. Self‑motivated and takes initiative. Prioritizes multiple projects and independently follows through with detail. Available to assist with weekend and evening events as needed. Working Conditions Hybrid work schedule with weekly on‑site presence. Standard office environment. Travel to campus and/or non‑campus locations for University business. Work evenings and weekends as needed. Position located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court. Position is not eligible for employer‑sponsored employment authorization. Benefits Eligible Yes. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook. Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Non‑Discrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via an Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. 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