Department

ARD Regional Major Gifts & International Advancement

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.

The Global Advancement Team implements a comprehensive collaborative campus-wide program that deeply engages the international community of UChicago alumni, parents, and friends with a focus on raising significant philanthropic support for the University’s top priorities, academic units, and faculty and students across the campus ecosystem. Working closely with University and academic leadership, the UChicago Global Office, academic divisions, and colleagues across ARD, the team is responsible for developing, executing, and coordinating the university’s strategic global advancement program with a goal of building a robust and sustainable donor pipeline through curated meaningful engagement opportunities and delivering $25M - $40M or more in fundraising progress annually.

Job Summary

The Director, Global Advancement-Europe plans and implements a coordinated program of fundraising and engagement activities for the University of Chicago in Europe and beyond. This encompasses identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects in Europe for a wide range of the University’s units, schools and Divisions. The Director will manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects with capacity to make 6- and 7-figure gifts to the University. The portfolio will concentrate on the UK and continental Europe and may selectively extend to the broader EMEA region. This position will participate as a strategist in building the University’s international major gift and principal gift fundraising capacity in the region. The Director acts as a general resource and advisor to senior development colleagues, Deans and other University academic leaders whose units are active in Europe.

This role has deep specialized knowledge in the planning and implementation of development activities; typically within the undergraduate college, an academic department, a professional school, the central development office, or another University unit. Executes fundraising projects, cultivation programs for prospective donors and for advisory councils.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements regional engagement strategies for prospects in Europe, including University alumni and parents, among others. Constructs and refines Europe-focused strategies in the context of a University-wide capital campaign.Manages a personal portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects consisting of 70+ individuals or families capable of gifts of $100K+, with a focus on those who can give $1M+.Leads new prospect identification activity in Europe.Cultivates new and existing relationships with alumni and parents who have significant capacity, as well as unaffiliated friends whose philanthropic interests intersect with University priorities.Develops and manages a personal fundraising pipeline capable of yielding 20+ major gift solicitations and $4M+ in new gift commitments annually at steady state. Achieves fundraising activity metrics, including 75+ prospect visits annually.Serves as counselor and implementation partner to units active in Europe to help advance international major gifts relationships across the University. The expectation is for the Director to be ARD’s chief Europe expert, acting as a general resource and advisor to senior development colleagues, Deans and other University academic leaders whose units are active in Europe.Works closely with unit directors of development, Deans, Officers, Faculty Directors, and other University leadership to help shape and implement regional fundraising plans and drive engagement activity on behalf of these campus partners.Plans, briefs and accompanies University leadership (Deans, Officers, Faculty Directors, etc.) on prospect and donor visits and community engagement activities in Europe.Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.Identifies, cultivates and solicits prospects. Develops strategies for cultivating participation.Leads the preparation of annual development reports assessing progress toward achievement of goals. Provides expertise to analyze and evaluate information to identify trends and patterns, evaluates strategies and makes recommendations.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:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

Minimum seven years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work.Minimum four years of management experience, including staff management.Building and maintaining long-term relationships with high-net-worth constituents such as individual major donors, private foundations or corporations.Minimum three years of soliciting and closing major gifts experience.Minimum two years of experience developing and monitoring budgets.Background working with trustees, senior leadership, or other volunteer leaders.A background in fundraising for higher education or for an international or globally focused mission.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Familiarity with European cultures; succeed in different cultural settings and exhibit a general global sophistication.Foreign language proficiency.Knowledge of international fundraising methods and culture.Demonstrated strong soft skills including forming strong relationships within the University and externally; leveraging volunteer leadership in advancing donor relationships; and an intellectual curiosity about the work of the University.Demonstrated fluency in representing the interests of academic leadership to external constituents.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 and Access.

Preferred Competencies

Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.Self-motivated and take initiative.Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

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.Travel to Europe regularly.Work evenings and weekends as needed.This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (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

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

$127,500.00 - $150,000.00

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 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.

 

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