Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 5, 2026

Job Description:

Department ADV Leadership Annual Giving & Reunions 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 College Development team raises over $100M annually, advancing philanthropic partnerships with key alumni, parents and friends of the College to support the educational goals of its undergraduates. This includes support for financial aid, teaching and research, career development, international study, athletics, and housing. Job Summary The Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving will play a crucial role in advancing the College’s fundraising goals by managing strategic outreach aimed at securing philanthropic support from alumni around the country. This position involves outreach that fosters alumni engagement and philanthropic support among graduates of the College. The Assistant Director will create and execute targeted fundraising strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, ensuring a robust pipeline of future donors and leaders. This role implements programs designed to meet fundraising goals for contributed income with moderate guidance. Helps build relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts at the instruction of others. Executes communication strategies for projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a track record of successful fundraising, and the ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships with donors. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on The College's mission through effective leadership and innovative fundraising strategies. Responsibilities Plans and implements a coordinated fundraising strategy for College alumni and leadership gift prospects. Manages a portfolio to achieve annual goals of 110 prospect visits, 75 solicitations ($1M in total asks), 45 proposals submitted, $350K raised, and 20 new prospect qualifications. Develops and executes short- and long-term cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for donors capable of making gifts between $2,500–$100K over a four-to-five-year pledge period. Partners with colleagues across Advancement to support the planning and execution of Leadership Annual Giving outreach, engagement, and solicitation efforts. Executes follow-up communications with prospects and donors within established departmental timelines, including customized proposals and stewardship materials. Records prospect activity and completes contact reports in the prospect database in accordance with Advancement reporting standards. Maintains thorough knowledge of the College giving priorities and annual fund initiatives to effectively represent funding opportunities to prospects. Participates in Advancement meetings, prospect strategy sessions, and College events as required to support fundraising efforts. Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions. Identifies and qualifies prospects by aiding in expanding the pool of potential donors and participating in outreach events. Manages a portfolio of prospective donors. Build relationships with a variety of different individuals within the University in the assigned divisions and departments of those who make charitable gifts. 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: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree. Experience: A minimum of two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience. Knowledge of managing gift prospects. Experience in soliciting and closing gifts . 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 Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System. Proficient in a Microsoft Windows computer environment. especially with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Preferred Competencies Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Manage confidential information with discretion and tact. Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting. Self-motivated and take initiative. Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail. Working Conditions 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. This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in-office presence. 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 Family Alumni Relations & Development 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 $63,750.00 - $75,000.00 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.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Elmhurst , Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving, PR / Public Relations , Chicago, Illinois