Senior Director of Development

Department

ADV Schools & Units

About the Department

Advancement (ADV) 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 Advancement team of the Social Sciences Division (SSD) serves as part of the Economics, Policy, Social Sciences, and Arts and Humanities fundraising team at the University of Chicago. Tasked with increasing alumni engagement and raising support for the SSD Dean’s priorities, including priority initiatives for the University of Chicago’s upcoming campaign as well as supporting departmental needs for Anthropology, Comparative Human Development, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, the Committee on Social Thought, and Sociology. The team engages in alumni relations activities; manages a portfolio of donors and prospects to the Division; and works with colleagues across Advancement to broaden the exposure of the SSD to the alumni and friends of the University of Chicago.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Development (SDOD) is responsible for leading all activity related to seeking philanthropic support for SSD. The Senior DOD will serve as lead advisor to the Dean in developing fundraising plans that support division priorities, and in effectively working with faculty and institutional leaders to advance campaign priorities and themes, execute advancement plans, and meet fundraising goals. The DOD will lead a team that raises $20M-$50M annually from individuals and organizations; build and manage a personal portfolio of 50-75 major and principal individual and organizational gift prospects; and manage and assist in 20-24 $100K+ solicitations per year. A successful candidate for this role will have demonstrated success in major gift frontline fundraising and experience closing gifts at the $1M+ level. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, curious, enthusiastic, and will build a broad understanding of SSD to represent the Division and University to donors and prospective donors.

This role manages a team of professional staff responsible for programs designed to meet University fundraising goals for contributed income. Manages relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts in support of the University. Develops communication strategies for projects and contributes to the development of larger advancement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Provides team leadership and direction, overseeing and planning development activities typically within the SSD undergraduate college or the central development office. Directs fundraising projects and cultivation programs for prospective donors and for visiting committees.
• Serves as chief strategist and fundraiser for SSD’s campaign within the University’s comprehensive campaign. Designs and directs team to increase pipeline at all levels to achieve ambitious $500M goal. Builds and manages a comprehensive prospect portfolio of individuals, families, and organizations, with an individual goal of raising $3M - $15M annually; develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans tailored to specific donors and prospects.
• Staffs and provides a high level of leadership and partnership to the Dean, including strategically prioritizing the Dean's donor and prospective donor portfolio.
• Collaborates and coordinates efforts with ADV colleagues and other critical partners in raising sustainable and transformative support for SSD’s strategic initiatives including SSD-related components of the University’s key initiatives related to AI, Freedom of Expression, and Climate among others, in partnership with the AVP, Schools & Units, and other members of ADV’s senior leadership team.
• Serves as the chief staff liaison to the Division of the Social Sciences Council; works collaboratively with SSD staff and serve as a key spokesperson for the division.
• Manages a team to reach fundraising and performance goals, both personal and for the programs they support; hires, supervises, develops, and evaluates staff; actively encourages staff members’ professional growth and participation in the life of the University. Strategically designs team organization and growth, expanding capacity and maximizing fundraising potential at all levels.
• Serves as a member of the Dean’s leadership team, along with peers who direct SSD’s main operational programs. The SDOD will bring perspectives from the alumni and donor community to inform strategic decision making, problem-solving, and communications strategies for the Division. The SDOD will contribute creative solutions and giving mechanisms to address the challenges in the Division. The SDOD is expected to set a professional example for staff leadership in PSD, integrating her/his work with that of our faculty and students.
• Staffs and meets regularly with faculty and program directors to develop a sophisticated, up-to-date, department-focused engagement strategy around divisional research, programs, and resource needs, and advise and involve academic leaders in fundraising strategies and development of fundraising opportunities consistent with Social Sciences Division (SSD) and University priorities.
• Conceptualizes, prepares, and presents funding proposals and other materials necessary to solicit and close gifts, including those that require careful negotiations and complex strategies.
• Takes lead on developing department or programmatic case statements for the principal gift-level opportunities within the Campaign.
• Develops talking points, proposals, and briefing materials; ensures fundraising dollar goals and deadlines are met; monitors, analyzes and reports on overall results to internal and external constituencies.
• Works closely and collaboratively with gift officers University-wide to monitor and facilitate growth of the SSD prospect pool, and contribute to strategy and solicitation plans for multiple-interest prospects that incorporate SSD priorities; assists gift officers University-wide in understanding SSD priorities and opportunities.
• Serves as the chief fundraising liaison for the Development Innovation Lab (DIL) with $3-$5M+ annual FRP, as well as for RISC, including Data Science for Everyone which now sits in SSD as of FY25, with $3M-$5M+ annual FRP.
• Investigates new fundraising ideas and builds consensus among stakeholders to advance those ideas with the most potential.
• Works closely with development communications, donor relations and special events to conceive, direct, monitor, and evaluate a comprehensive SSD fundraising communications and outreach plan for donor cultivation and recognition.
• Manages an annual budget.
• Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Manages department strategies and plans to achieve University fundraising goals.
• Recommends and implements fundraising programs and activities.
• Manages a portfolio of current and potential donors. Identifies and cultivates gift prospects and potential donors through events, visits, personalized correspondences, and phone calls.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

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:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum seven years of professional work experience in fundraising, development, alumni relations, donor relations, nonprofit management, research, marketing, communications, sales or similar professional field.
• Minimum five years of soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Minimum four years of management experience, including staff management.
• Minimum two years of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
• A minimum of two years of experience working closely and collaboratively with senior leadership, trustees and board members.
• Background working with volunteers.

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 Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System.
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated effective decision-making, while working autonomously and exercising good judgement.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a matrixed organization, and identify and utilize resources efficiently and effectively.
• Superior communications skills, including oral, written, and listening, and executive presence and confidence to represent SSD in various forums.
• Excellent time management skills and prioritize tasks so that goals are met in a timely, efficient manner. Exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to relate well to individuals at every level of an organization both internally and externally; tactful exercise of judgment and discretion with sensitive and highly confidential information.

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 as needed.
• Travel domestically and internationally.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter addressed to the Hiring Committee (preferred)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$157,250.00 - $185,000.00

The 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 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 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.

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