Associate Director, College Parent Council Management

Department

ARD Parent and Family Philanthropy

About the Department

Alumni 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.

The Parent and Family Philanthropy team works with parents of current undergraduates, encouraging them to actively engage with and support the College, thus helping to help fulfill the Dean of the College’s vision and priorities.

In addition to parents, the team works with key campus partners, including Admissions, Career Advancement, and the Dean of Students.

As part of the University of Chicago’s College Development Team, the Associate Director, College Parents Council, provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for the College’s Parent Council (CPC), which consists of the College’s most philanthropic families.

In preparation for a new major fundraising campaign, this newly created role will lead the development of a comprehensive strategy to maximize undergraduate parent engagement for qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of families capable of making significant philanthropic investments in support of the University’s highest priorities and to grow the parent community globally.

The Associate Director and the Parent Philanthropy team will play a key role in driving philanthropic growth for the College and University during the campaign.

Job Summary

This role manages programs designed to meet University fundraising goals for contributed income. Serves as strategist of efforts to secure gifts and build relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts.

Develops communication strategies for projects.

Responsibilities

• Directs activity and strategy for the College Parents Council, a distinguished group of undergraduate parent philanthropic volunteer leaders.
• Speaks persuasively about the case for annual giving support, maintaining a deep knowledge of College and fundraising priorities.
• Aims for 100% annual giving from the Parents Council, with the goal of raising at least $4.5M annually for financial aid and the Dean’s fund.
• Crafts giving appeals and reminders for all members, as well as targeted follow-up for those whose giving is lapsing.
• Works with regional chairs around the world to increase the University’s brand and create best-in-class experiences for parents in major markets to maximize engagement and philanthropy.
• Conducts list reviews with CPC members, specifically targeting ambassadorship at their children’s schools and conversion of those parents who have attended events but not joined.
• Assigns prospects to CPC members in collaboration with staff across ARD.
• Creates a calendar of events for each regional vice chair market and serves as point for those events.
• When appropriate, trains and engages leaders as peer solicitors.
• Supports a full parent volunteer lifecycle, including onboarding, training, deploying, and offboarding volunteers over the course of their time as parents.
• Provides specialized professional oversight to fundraising operations for a school or department of the University. Participates in the development of fundraising goals, policies and short- and long-term strategies.

Assesses, analyzes and evaluates fundraising programs, specialized projects or major events. Identifies problem areas, or the need for change, and provides recommendations for modifications or adjustments.

• Leads the preparation of annual development reports assessing progress toward achievement of goals. Provides expertise to analyze and evaluate information to identify trends and patterns, evaluates strategies and makes recommendations.
• Participates in the development of school or department fiscal year operating budget. Develops and manages program or event budget.
• Works closely with the Leadership Support team to ensure the Dean of the College is cultivating the best parent prospects.
• Partners across ARD with Relationship Managers to engage top parent donors in advancing fundraising for the College and University.
• With Assistant Director, creates all DPFC communications, including website, newsletter, appeals, etc.
• Coordinates the Parent Council’s bi-annual signature retreats, as well as regional cultivation and qualification events, in partnership with the Office of Strategic Events.
• With Assistant Director, facilitates data pulls, reports, and lists. Completes proactive analyses of events and their efficacy to map donor engagement over time and its link to philanthropy.
• With Senior Director, regularly updates leadership on parent philanthropy and activity.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Establishes fundraising goals and priorities based on department objectives, designs strategies to meet those goals, and monitors progress against goals.
• Identifies, analyzes, and qualifies donor interest to maximize giving. Helps with overall planning efforts for the University's most important prospects.

Works independently to develop communication strategies for projects, including publications and public presentations.

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 or advanced degree.

Experience :

• Event, meeting, and conference planning or similar professional work experience.
• Leading a project team or managing staff.
• Developing and monitoring budgets.

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 Griffin (the University's Donor Relationship Management System), Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

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, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
• Communicate effectively and with influence.
• Exhibit resilience and optimize resources.
• Display emotional intelligence.

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)

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

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Drug Test Required

Health Screen Required

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Disabled / Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

Staff 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.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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