Department

ARD Alumni and Volunteer Experience

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.

Within the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, the Alumni and Volunteer Experience team oversees a diverse set of programs and initiatives designed to increase participation and engagement among alumni, parents, and friends of the University, with a focus on driving key University priorities. Under the direction of the Executive Director, Alumni and Volunteer Experience, this team is responsible for achieving ambitious participation, engagement, and fundraising goals.

Job Summary

The Associate Director, Alumni and Volunteer Experience, will serve in a new role focused on developing innovative strategies for building and strengthening class-based undergraduate alumni engagement. They will be responsible for identifying and executing initiatives that strengthen alumni affinity during and between milestone reunion years. The University’s undergraduate College has seen significant growth and change in the past two decades, resulting in diversity of identity and campus experiences in the undergraduate alumni population. The Associate Director will be responsible for responding to this diversity by taking an entrepreneurial and proactive approach to tailoring class-based experiences. As an inaugural member of a new vertical focused on the undergraduate alumni experience, they will also have the opportunity to shape the priorities and culture of a developing team.

This role uses best practices and knowledge within Alumni Relations and leads a program designed to engage the alumni community worldwide, increase participation, and advance the objectives of the Alumni Association and the broader University. Researches, executes, and implements best practices in alumni relationship management. Works with the Alumni Board of Governors to create and implement guidelines to govern shared interest groups.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements strategic engagement plans for College Reunion classes, with specific and measurable goals, aligned with the University's alumni engagement and fundraising priorities and tailored to the unique needs of each class.Identifies, creates, and executes opportunities for meaningful class-based engagement during and between Reunion years, with a focus on strengthening connections between alumni and the University; deepening alumni pride; and enhancing and expanding engagement opportunities for the global UChicago undergraduate alumni community.Partners closely with Reunion volunteer committee staff leads to engage volunteers in the development of class-based programs and initiatives aligned with community and University priorities.Collaborates with key stakeholders in planning and executing strategic class-based experiences, including College Alumni Weekend programming and Reunion dinners.Partners with colleagues across the University and the College, including College reunion fundraising leads, to develop and implement strategies to increase cross-campus collaboration on class-based engagement strategies and goals.Builds a culture of philanthropy across alumni communities, supporting divisional qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies and ensuring that volunteer boards meet philanthropic goals.Continually evaluates, assesses, and reports on class-based alumni engagement strategies for ongoing improvement and growth, with a particular focus on driving Alumni Relations and Development goals.Identifies and integrates strategies for increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across programs and experiences.Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession.Assists in leading and coordinating the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. May assist in or individually create a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.Has a deep understanding of strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.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:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree.Advanced degree.

Experience:

Minimum five years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.Minimum one year of experience developing and monitoring budgets.Strong commitment to customer service.

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 the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.Proficient with Salesforce CRM.

Preferred Competencies

A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.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.Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.Self-motivated and take initiative.

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

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$73,251.00 - $85,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

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.

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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