Senior Associate Director

Department

ADV Strategic Events

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 Strategic Events team creates and manages a wide variety of strategic events with the mission to enhance outreach to and increase the engagement of the University's alumni, donors, and friends.

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Director, Strategic Events interfaces with a diverse group of individuals both inside and outside of the organization, including select senior leadership in Advancement and the University. This role develops and implements programs in a broad range of operational business activities in the creation of plans for events programming, marketing, and logistics. Additionally, this position requires ownership with limited guidance of all aspects of assigned projects; it requires knowledge and experience in event planning and project management and builds on tactical and strategic experience in support of department goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manages and supports event strategy for assigned projects from conception to completion.
• With program partner, leads the creation of complex event proposals, formulates event concepts, communications plans, and creates post event debrief documentation and analysis for success.
• Leads the event execution, registration management, and translation of vision for all logistical aspects of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events.
• Activates industry knowledge and generates new and original ideas and solutions to improve events and project outcomes.
• Exhibits strong communication skills and demonstrates ability to work effectively with colleagues across the institution including senior leadership.
• Proactively contributes to team goals and staff development, and acts as a resource for colleagues and program managers.
• Provides vision and leadership, and manages the performance and development of direct report(s) if applicable.
• 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.
• Guides research, including vendor selection and contract negotiation. Keeps track of all expenses, prepares reports on costs, solves complex problems as they arise.
• Implements ideas for improvement as they are identified in addition to providing post-event feedback on turnout and vendor performance.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Coursework in project management, business, communications, marketing, hospitality management, or non-profit management.

Experience:

• Minimum five to seven years of work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, hospitality sector, sales, project management, or similar professional field.
• Minimum one year of experience planning and executing events.
• Minimum one year of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
• Background managing cross-team projects.

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

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, kindness, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects independently with a high attention to detail.
• Think strategically and holistically to solve complex problems and formulate innovative solutions.

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.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

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

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

​
FLSA Status

Exempt

​
Pay Range

$76,500.00 - $90,000.00

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.

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.