Executive Director, Regional Advancement, Central

Company: The University Of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

DepartmentARD Regional Advancement (Central)
About the DepartmentAlumni 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 SummaryAs 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 achieve fundraising goals.
• Develops and implements fundraising programs and activities. May recruit and staff volunteers.
• Performs other related work as needed.
  Minimum QualificationsEducation:Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
  Work Experience:Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
  Certifications:---Preferred QualificationsEducation:
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Advanced degree.Experience:
    • Minimum ten years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar field.
    • Minimum seven years of soliciting and closing major gifts.
    • Minimum four years of management experience, including staff management.
    • Minimum four years of program management and oversight.
    • Minimum two years of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
    • Proven track record of successfully working with volunteers, faculty, senior administrators, and other key internal and external stakeholders.Technical Skills or Knowledge:
      • Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including the University's donor relationship management system.
      • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.Preferred Competencies
        • Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and to encourage change and growth in both people and programs. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
        • Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
        • Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
        • Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting, fostering partnership and collaboration with colleagues and academic leaders.
        • Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
        • Strong leadership qualities, including to both delegate and execute, thereby leading by word and by example.
        • Self-motivated and take initiative.
        • High attention to detail and follow-up; excellent organizational skills.
        • Demonstrated success closing major and principal gifts and meeting or exceeding goals.
        • Demonstrated record of organizing successful fundraising, marketing or membership programs.
        • Demonstrated ability to interact comfortably with various constituent groups.
        • Expertise managing a complex prospect and donor pipeline.Working Conditions
          • 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.
          • Travel domestically.
          • This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.Application Documents
            • Resume/CV (required)
            • Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)
              When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
              Job FamilyAlumni Relations & Development
              Role ImpactPeople Manager
              Scheduled Weekly Hours37.5
              Drug Test RequiredNo
              Health Screen RequiredNo
              Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry RequiredNo
              Pay Rate TypeSalary
              FLSA StatusExempt
              Pay Range$174,250.00 - $205,000.00The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
              Benefits EligibleYesThe 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 StatementThe 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 Nondiscrimination.Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via 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. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu .Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
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Keywords: The University Of Chicago, Rockford , Executive Director, Regional Advancement, Central, Executive , Chicago, Illinois