Job Summary

The Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) department at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Lab) is expanding. We are recruiting talented, experienced, and energetic advancement professionals to partner with the head development and advancement officer to support/grow Lab’s ARD development by strengthening major gifts and creating a strong annual giving pipeline.

The DOD at Lab will lead key functions that support the schools’ major gifts and annual giving program. As a vital role on this team, the DOD contributes to a fundraising team that works closely with Lab’s head of schools and academic leadership team, faculty members, board members, and other senior leaders and volunteers to create curated alumni engagement opportunities and new philanthropic support to advance Lab’s priorities.

Reporting to and partnering/collaborating with the Director for Alumni Relations and Development, the DOD will manage the creation and implementation of a strategy for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of Lab alumni, parents, alumni parents, grandparents, and friends of Lab. Importantly, the DOD will support the Director with the ramp-up for a new campaign.

The DOD is a key resource officer for ARD that helps ensure that the Lab Schools’ annual and multi-year philanthropic revenue goals are accurately forecasted, met and exceeded. The DOD will supervise full and part-time gift officers and other team members as the staff expands during campaign ramp-up. They will work with individual Lab fundraisers to ensure engagement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies are fully supported. This includes working closely and collaboratively with the Director of Alumni Engagement/Giving and the Director of Parent and Family Engagement, as well as data, events, and donor relations team members. The DOD will manage a portfolio of major gifts prospects $100K+ 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 major gift frontline fundraising and experience closing gifts at the $100K+ level. Campaign experience and success at the 7-figure level is preferred. 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 reports to the Director Alumni Relations and Development and is a member of the Lab Schools ARD team.

Responsibilities

• Provides a high level of leadership and partnership to the Director of Alumni Relations and Development, the chief development/advancement for Lab ARD. 
• Manages the team that raises annual, capital and endowment support from individuals, families, and foundations. 
• Builds and manages a personal portfolio of major individual gift prospects, and assists the Director with proposals, solicitations, and cross campus collaboration and planning. 
• Actively manages a prospect portfolio of individuals and families; formulates annual visits, solicitations, and gifts goals.
• Develops cultivation and solicitation plans tailored to specific donors and prospects, and manages or assists gift solicitations for self, team members, and Director.
• Manages one or more frontline fundraisers as well as other advancement staff.
• Supports the Director in developing systems and refining Lab prospect management in preparation for the campaign. 
• Assists Lab’s Director of ARD with regular meetings with Lab Senior Leadership, faculty and program directors to develop an up-to-date understanding of programs and resource needs.
• In partnership with Lab’s and Central ARD’s Communications teams, helps develop case statements, talking points, proposals, and briefing materials for activities; ensures fundraising dollar goals and deadlines are met; monitors, analyzes and reports on overall results to internal and external constituencies.
• Collaborates with University ARD offices to ensure shared services are tapped. 
• Works collaboratively to ensure proper stewardship and donor recognition for Lab’s and the university’s generous donors.
• Participates in and is visible in the life of Lab Schools.
• Manages and/or supervises program budgets in Lab ARD.
• Recommends and implements fundraising programs and activities.
• May recruit staff volunteers and provide leadership and evaluation to staff members.
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years in philanthropic leadership or other comparable work in related disciplines.
• Minimum of two years in a management or supervisory position.
• Background in independent schools, higher education, or related not-for-profit work.
• Background with a fundraising campaign.
• Familiarity working with board development, management, and cultivation.
• Proficiency with data, Excel, PPT, databases and network-based environments.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases and reporting tools such as Blackbaud products or Salesforce.

Preferred Competencies

• 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.
• Teach and mentor.
• Work on your own initiative, develop rapport, and work well with others.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately under deadlines.?

Working Conditions

• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for Lab Schools and/or University business. 
• Work evenings and weekends on occasion, as needed.
• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
• Standard office environment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)
• Three Professional References sourced from a colleague, supervisor/manager, and/or someone they’ve supervised (required)
• Two - Three Professional Writing Samples, such as introduction emails, gift proposal, meeting briefing, etc. (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.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools