Career Center

Job Summary:

The Alumni Relations & Development (ARD) department at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Lab) is recruiting talented and energetic advancement professionals at an exciting moment in the Schools’ history. Alumni and Parents are proud to be affiliated with the 127-year school and eager to support its world-class programs through philanthropic investment.

The Director of Annual Giving (DAG) will lead the solicitation of Lab alumni, parents, alumni parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and others as part of The Fund for Lab. In addition, the DAG will serve on the schools’ major gift team to ensure continuity of prospect management within the Alumni Relations & Development program. Approximately 2,200 students are enrolled at Lab. Seventy percent of families receive financial aid or tuition remission. More than 9,300 alumni, who live primarily in the United States, are tracked in the database.

The DAG will report to the Director of Development in Lab’s ARD department and participate in planning and departmental meetings, accept assignments, and perform other ARD duties as assigned.

A successful candidate for this role will have demonstrated success in direct mail, telephone, and social media fundraising. Experience with volunteer management for peer-to-peer solicitation is helpful. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, curious, enthusiastic, and will help build a broad understanding of Lab’s philanthropic value to donors and prospective donors.

*This position will be filled on or after July 1, 2023.

Responsibilities:

• Leads a comprehensive annual giving program with fundraising goals and participation objectives. 
• Leads Lab’s efforts in the University of Chicago Giving Day program. 
• Leads young alumni and reunion giving programs that direct dollars into the Fund for Lab.
• Collaborates with the Director of Parent/Family Relations to ensure parent annual giving and participation goals are met. Works with parent volunteers.
• Partners with Lab Communications and fellow ARD colleagues to develop effective marketing strategies and implements efficient project management. 
• Identifies opportunities to leverage technology and emerging strategies to meet annual giving goals.
• Provides an elevated level of partnership to the Director of Development and Associate Director of Schools for Alumni Relations & Development. 
• Manages and/or supervises the annual giving program budget in Lab ARD.
• Provides expertise to the development of plans to solicit prospective donors and meet campaign goals. This includes speaking to new prospects persuasively about the case for annual giving support.
• Collaborates with all divisions and schools, and relays information regarding capacity and inclination to give to the appropriate channels in the University through knowledge of the University process.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Competencies

• Meeting and exceeding Lab Schools annual giving goals.
• Efficient with time and money spent.
• Proficiency with databases and network-based environments.
• Proven desire for continuing education to acquire the latest in industry best practices.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to analyze processes and plan improvement initiatives.
• Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Work on own initiative, develop rapport, and work well with others.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately under deadlines.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for Lab Schools business. 
• Work evenings and weekends on occasion. 

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
• Three Professional Writing Samples (required)

About The University of Chicago, Laboratory Schools

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provide one of the world's most outstanding pre-collegiate educational experiences. Because Lab is part of the University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses all aspects of our curriculum, and students in every grade benefit from outstanding UChicago academicians and access to unmatched resources. John Dewey—one of the great minds in education—established the Schools in 1896 as a place to explore and implement his theories on childhood education. Today’s students still benefit from his vision, and today’s Lab faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are affiliated with the University, half live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Indiana. Lab’s student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the Schools and its community; approximately half of our 2,000 students are people of color and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. The Laboratory Schools seek the fine...st employees—people who wish to inspire a love of learning in our students and join a vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training, in many different disciplines. At Lab, we value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness, and honoring diversity. We seek employees who share a similar commitment to these values. Lab people are engaged and excited by our mission of igniting and nurturing an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the youngest members of the University of Chicago’s academic community. The Laboratory Schools is a great place to work and our connection to the University provides our faculty and staff with opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. Interested candidates should apply via our website at: http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab/employment AA/EOE Statement: The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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 773-834-1841 or by email talentacquisition@uchicago.edu with their request.

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