Project Manager, Campaign Operations

Department

ARD Change Management

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.

Campaign Operations drives operational excellence and strategic coordination within the advancement enterprise to meet and exceed fundraising goals.

Serving as the crucial link between strategy and execution, the team aligns stakeholders, manages project plans, and coordinates efforts to ensure successful campaign outcomes.

Our focus is on executing practical strategies and robust operations that strengthen the department and support the long-term sustainability of the organization.

Job Summary

This position uses best practices and knowledge of non-technical (not information technology or construction related) projects from conception to completion.

Assembles teams and develops detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports while being the point of contact for those projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the campaign workplan, ensuring all tasks, deadlines, and progress are accurately tracked and updated. Proactively identifies and communicates any roadblocks and prepares reports to clearly outline progress toward campaign goals.
• Develops clear and concise reports, presentations, and tools that effectively communicate the campaign’s objectives and status to stakeholders.
• Supports leadership efforts to align ARD staff on campaign activities across campus, collecting, synthesizing and coordinating content and materials to ensure aligned messaging and execution of campaign initiatives.
• Supports the execution of the communication strategy for the Campaign Cabinet by managing and updating content on the dedicated online information-sharing platform.
• Maintains a comprehensive collection of campaign tools that enable ARD staff to effectively communicate campaign priorities and messages to stakeholders.
• Coordinates consulting contracts related to campaign activities, ensuring contracts are appropriately scoped and deliverables are met on time and aligned with internal ARD initiatives.
• Integrates campaign budget reports with the campaign workplan, ensuring financial data is aligned with project timelines and deliverables, and regularly updates stakeholders on the financial progress relative to campaign goals.
• Collaborates with the training team to develop campaign resources and training infrastructure to educate staff on campaign priorities, policies, and best practices.
• Is responsible for tracking progress, conducting analysis, as well as preparing for and facilitating project meetings.
• Acts as a resource for a project team and provides analytical guidance. Interprets complex project issues and provides analytical guidance to a project team.
• Performs other related duties 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

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), 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.

Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.

Demonstrates a keen ability to thoroughly review and accurately complete tasks, ensuring that all aspects of work are meticulously checked, and errors are minimized.

Consistently produces high-quality work with careful consideration of all details, contributing to the overall success of projects.

• Correctly enters and audits information, appropriately using reports to access, understand, and share information.
• Synthesize information with a high degree of quality, developing key messages from large sets of detailed quantitative and qualitative information to tell a cohesive story.
• Develop and execute on a long-term plan, while balancing short term unexpected priorities.
• Strong document design skills. Develop documents and presentations that meet University brand standards and deliver key messages effectively.
• Exhibits the ability to remain steadfast and adaptable in the face of challenges and setbacks. Maintains focus and determination, effectively managing stress and pressure while continuing to pursue goals and objectives with a positive attitude.

Demonstrates perseverance in overcoming obstacles, contributing to sustained success and growth.

Builds positive relationships, communicates empathetically, and resolves conflicts with sensitivity and tact. Leverages emotional awareness to enhance teamwork, leadership, and overall workplace harmony.

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

Administration & Management

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.

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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