Assistant Director, Reunion & Class Giving

Posted on 09/14/2021

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

Chicago, IL

General Summary: 

The Assistant Director, Reunion & Class Giving, at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business understands the principles of fundraising and the mission of the office. This position will focus on leadership level ($2,500 – $100,000) annual fund prospects and will also be expected to manage volunteer fundraising efforts with MBA alumni, donors, and other constituencies.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Field fundraising: Plan and implement strategies for a coordinated program of fundraising activities for Booth Annual Fund leadership gift prospects. Identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $2,500 to $100,000 or more.
  • Qualify new prospects: Determine creative cultivation and solicitation strategies. Arrange for prospects to meet with appropriate University staff and faculty. Plan and execute cultivation events in conjunction with event planning staff. Maintain strong communication links with various University colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to prospects and donors.  Assist in preparation and management of expenses. Monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with University policy and provide timely reporting.
  • Draft compelling letters and proposals.
  • Provide contact reports.
  • Deliver timely and effective follow-up to prospects and donors.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain a strong stewardship strategy for a portfolio of donors.
  • Assist with events and attend evening and weekend functions as necessary.
  • Plan and execute a target total of 50+ visits per year and a commensurate number of annual fund solicitations.
  • Volunteer fundraising: Identify, recruit, train, and manage fundraising volunteers; act as liaison for volunteer committees. Work with fundraising chairs to produce solicitation appeals and solicitation strategies for peer prospects.  Ensure that monthly giving reports are prepared for volunteers and support volunteer efforts toward meeting fundraising goals.
  • Maintain consistent and clear communication with fundraising chairs and volunteers. Steward individual fundraising volunteers. Coordinate and collaborate with Alumni Relations on volunteer communications, events, and programming as needed.
  • Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience: 

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher required.
  • A minimum of two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, sales, public relations or similar work experience required.
  • Knowledge of managing gift prospects and fundraising volunteers preferred.
  • Experience in soliciting and closing gifts of $2,500 or more preferred.
  • Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills required.
  • Strong commitment to customer service required.
  • Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact required.
  • Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to Alumni Affairs and Advancement, including Griffin (the University’s Donor Relationship Management System), a Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access required.
  • Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and to execute, thereby leading by word and by example required; ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting required.
  • An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative required; outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write well required.
  • Must be flexible and adaptable to new programs in an emerging and changing environment required.
  • Willingness and ability to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business required.
  • Understanding of the University of Chicago, its history, organization and modus operandi preferred.
  • Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends required.
  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work permanently in the United States.

Interested candidates should apply directly to the University of Chicago job board. Only applicants that apply directly to the job board will be considered for the position. If the link does not send you to the job posting please copy and paste into your web browser. Thank you for your interest in The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business!

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information, please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination. Academic job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5671 or email [email protected] with their request. Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-1841 or email [email protected] with their request.

To apply for this job please visit uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com.