Department
 

Harris School Alumni Relations

About the Department
 

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what’s best for society—and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Alumni Relations, the Development Associate will support the alumni relations and development (ARD) team at the Harris School of Public Policy. Harris ARD is dedicated to building lifelong relationships to maximize the intellectual, social, professional, and financial engagement of all Harris Public Policy alumni, parents, and friends to advance the strategic objectives of the school. Our work has a transformative impact on Harris students and faculty, driving significant contributions of time, talent, and resources back to Harris.

The Development Associate will provide critical support to the functions of the ARD team, including project and data management, communications support, and event operations support. This individual will be trained in a variety of cross-functional areas and gain a strong understanding of the work of alumni relations and philanthropic work at an eminent higher education institution.

Responsibilities

Learn to be a Phoenix database 'power user' (Salesforce-based) and in-house expert with a special emphasis on extracting and analyzing data as well as maintaining constituent records. Update constituent records on an ongoing basis and as necessary to ensure accurate information. Learn best practices for using the system and teach team members how to accomplish tasks in Phoenix. Actively support creating and managing prospect data.

Serve as a ‘power user’ and in-house expert for email deployment platform (Hubspot.) Coordinate email communications, including the design, drafting and deployment of event invitations, newsletters, stewardship materials, and/or email solicitations.

Maintain and develop content for the alumni relations and development pages on the web site.

Collaborate with colleagues to execute volunteer and annual giving programs with a focus on increasing participation, revenue and engagement from alumni. 

Provide excellent customer service and problem solving for alumni and donors including: answering phone lines, responding to email, and handling gift and registration inquiries. Initiate, compose, and edit correspondence while using discretion and judgment with confidential information. Respond to inquiries from within the department, campus community, and external constituency, always protecting the confidentiality of alumni/donor information.

Support teams on event execution and staff events. Prepare, proof, and coordinate various communications (print, online, email) to promote events. Administer post-event surveys, collect responses and analyze results, and perform administrative tasks as required including preparing event materials (name badges, etc.)

Maintain thorough knowledge of University priorities and programs, and build a professional network of University colleagues and peers.

Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.

Support business activities during staff vacancies, ad hoc projects or other duties as assigned.

Assists with identification and resolution of event and program needs, including vendor selection and contract negotiation. Keeps track of all expenses, prepares reports on costs, using existing procedures to solve routine problems as they arise.

Compiles data to be used in event and program evaluation. Contributes to improvements by implementing ideas as they are identified, with general direction from others.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

Knowledge and skills developed in a related job discipline such as nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, or similar work.

Experience with fundraising, database management, or contact management.

Experience working with volunteers.

Experience with event logistics management.

Preferred Competencies

Strong verbal and writing skills with high attention to detail.

Flexibility and adaptability to new programs in a quickly changing environment needed.

Emotional intelligence and the ability to work collaboratively in a team setting required

Willingness to serve as a brand ambassador for the Harris School of Public Policy and University of Chicago.

Ability to foster partnerships across teams.

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, Adobe products including design software, and project management software

Willingness and ability to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.

Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Demonstrated track record of personal initiative and excellent organizational skills.

Mental demands: Self Motivation and ability to take initiative.

Ability to prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

Working Conditions

Hybrid role – 3 days in-person weekly

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter - Address cover letter to Maggie Elmarakby (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Communications

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

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.

 

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.