University of Chicago
Director, Donor Relations
University of Chicago
About The Department Medicine and Biological Sciences Development’s mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy at the University of Chicago Medicine by building relationships with those who share its goals of advancing excellence in research, education, community, and patient care. We accomplish this mission through expertise, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.
Job Summary This role collaborates with senior leadership and colleagues to lead a comprehensive University-wide donor relations program to enrich the relationship between donors and the University. Plans, organizes, and leads donor programs to recognize, steward, and cultivate individuals in meaningful ways and at different giving levels.
Responsibilities
Key leadership role within the Advancement Services team at the Medicine and Biological Sciences Development office responsible for managing and advancing a comprehensive donor relations program to deepen donor engagement, show gratitude, and highlight the impact of donors supporting the Division of the Biological Sciences (BSD), Pritzker School of Medicine, and UChicago Medicine.
Supervises staff overseeing donor relations activities such as financial and impact reporting, recognition programs, and gift acknowledgments.
Collabores with frontline fundraisers, academic and clinical administrators, and donor relations staff to communicate policies and advance projects.
Establishes and communicates donor relations policies and procedures that comply with University policies, guidelines, and applicable laws.
Sets annual goals and monitors quarterly progress for the Donor Relations team.
Creates and oversees a framework for tiered donor recognition and stewardship plans for donors to the Division of the Biological Sciences, Pritzker School of Medicine, and UChicago Medicine.
Manages comprehensive endowment reporting, including stewardee tracking, financial audits, and donor inquiries.
Oversees stewardship activities, including event briefings, donor notifications, and impact reporting, for named professorships and scholarships.
Oversees naming recognition, including educating colleagues on protocols, advising on thresholds, and coordinating recognition signage.
Develops and implements campaign-focused stewardship and recognition opportunities.
Utilizes a donor CRM to stay informed on gift agreements and serves as a point of contact for questions regarding donor intention.
Collaborates with colleagues in marketing and communications, events, central development, and financial and departmental administrators.
Uses in-depth knowledge to develop communication strategies for publications related to donors and volunteers.
Leads project teams within the areas of recognition, stewardship, acknowledgement, and proposal writing. Sets activity goals and develops the annual operating budget for donor related programs.
Performs other related work as needed.
Education Minimum: College or university degree in a related field.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum: 7+ years of related work experience in a discipline such as donor research and analytics, nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, fundraising, marketing, public relations, research, or similar field.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience using quantitative and qualitative research methods.
A minimum of three years of experience building and leading a cross‑functional team.
A minimum of one year of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
Collaborating with executive leaders and offices in a matrixed University environment, such as the President’s office, Dean’s office, etc.
Preferred Competencies
High level of judgment and negotiation skills, both in a group setting and on a one‑on‑one basis.
Understanding of stewardship and donor relations best practices.
Strong and effective verbal and writing skills.
Craft creative and inspiring narratives.
High attention to detail and follow‑up, and excellent organizational skills.
Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
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 Advancement.
Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and to execute, thereby leading by word and by example.
Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative.
Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write well.
Must be flexible and adaptable to new programs in an emerging and changing environment.
Working Conditions
Travel to campus and/or non‑campus locations for University business.
Work evenings and weekends.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required).
Pay Range $90,000.00 – $130,000.00
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
Annual Security & Fire Safety Report 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.
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About The Department Medicine and Biological Sciences Development’s mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy at the University of Chicago Medicine by building relationships with those who share its goals of advancing excellence in research, education, community, and patient care. We accomplish this mission through expertise, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.
Job Summary This role collaborates with senior leadership and colleagues to lead a comprehensive University-wide donor relations program to enrich the relationship between donors and the University. Plans, organizes, and leads donor programs to recognize, steward, and cultivate individuals in meaningful ways and at different giving levels.
Responsibilities
Key leadership role within the Advancement Services team at the Medicine and Biological Sciences Development office responsible for managing and advancing a comprehensive donor relations program to deepen donor engagement, show gratitude, and highlight the impact of donors supporting the Division of the Biological Sciences (BSD), Pritzker School of Medicine, and UChicago Medicine.
Supervises staff overseeing donor relations activities such as financial and impact reporting, recognition programs, and gift acknowledgments.
Collabores with frontline fundraisers, academic and clinical administrators, and donor relations staff to communicate policies and advance projects.
Establishes and communicates donor relations policies and procedures that comply with University policies, guidelines, and applicable laws.
Sets annual goals and monitors quarterly progress for the Donor Relations team.
Creates and oversees a framework for tiered donor recognition and stewardship plans for donors to the Division of the Biological Sciences, Pritzker School of Medicine, and UChicago Medicine.
Manages comprehensive endowment reporting, including stewardee tracking, financial audits, and donor inquiries.
Oversees stewardship activities, including event briefings, donor notifications, and impact reporting, for named professorships and scholarships.
Oversees naming recognition, including educating colleagues on protocols, advising on thresholds, and coordinating recognition signage.
Develops and implements campaign-focused stewardship and recognition opportunities.
Utilizes a donor CRM to stay informed on gift agreements and serves as a point of contact for questions regarding donor intention.
Collaborates with colleagues in marketing and communications, events, central development, and financial and departmental administrators.
Uses in-depth knowledge to develop communication strategies for publications related to donors and volunteers.
Leads project teams within the areas of recognition, stewardship, acknowledgement, and proposal writing. Sets activity goals and develops the annual operating budget for donor related programs.
Performs other related work as needed.
Education Minimum: College or university degree in a related field.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum: 7+ years of related work experience in a discipline such as donor research and analytics, nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, fundraising, marketing, public relations, research, or similar field.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience using quantitative and qualitative research methods.
A minimum of three years of experience building and leading a cross‑functional team.
A minimum of one year of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
Collaborating with executive leaders and offices in a matrixed University environment, such as the President’s office, Dean’s office, etc.
Preferred Competencies
High level of judgment and negotiation skills, both in a group setting and on a one‑on‑one basis.
Understanding of stewardship and donor relations best practices.
Strong and effective verbal and writing skills.
Craft creative and inspiring narratives.
High attention to detail and follow‑up, and excellent organizational skills.
Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
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 Advancement.
Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and to execute, thereby leading by word and by example.
Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative.
Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write well.
Must be flexible and adaptable to new programs in an emerging and changing environment.
Working Conditions
Travel to campus and/or non‑campus locations for University business.
Work evenings and weekends.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required).
Pay Range $90,000.00 – $130,000.00
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
Annual Security & Fire Safety Report 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr