Laboratory Schools: Director of Development and Campaign Manager at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department



Lab School Alumni Relations & Development



About the Department



At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.


No less than scholarship, Lab's mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab's student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members' identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.


Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.



Job Summary



The Alumni Relations & Development department at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Lab) is recruiting talented and energetic advancement professionals in preparation for the schools' next campaign. During the University's Inquiry & Impact campaign, Lab secured more than $97 million in philanthropy.


The Director of Development & Campaign Manager (DOD) at Lab will lead key functions that support the schools' major gifts and annual giving program. Reporting to and collaborating with the Associate Director of Schools for Alumni Relations & Development, the DOD will lead and manage the creation and implementation of a strategy for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of Lab alumni, parents, alumni parents, grandparents and others. In addition, the DOD will manage the ramp-up of systems for a new endowment-centric campaign.


The DOD will supervise full and part-time major gift officers, the Director of Annual Giving, Special Events leader, Advancement Services leader and other team members as the staff expands during campaign ramp-up. He/she will convene Lab's Major Gifts team and will work with individual Lab fundraisers to ensure cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies are fully supported. The Director is a key Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) resource officer that helps ensure that the Lab Schools' annual and multi-year philanthropic revenue goals are accurately forecasted, met and exceeded.


The DOD will manage a portfolio of major gifts prospects (minimum of $100K but often $1 million and higher) and participate in planning and departmental meetings, accept assignments, and perform other ARD duties as assigned.


The DOD will lead a team that raises annual, capital and endowment support from individuals and families; builds and manages a personal portfolio of 50-75 major individual gift prospects; and assists the Associate Director and Lab Director of Schools with solicitations. 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 is required. 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.



Responsibilities

• Provides a high level of leadership and partnership to the Associate Director of Schools for Alumni Relations & Development. The DOD will serve as a COO-type staff member and manage campaign operations for Lab.
  
  


• Builds and 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.
  
  


• Develops systems and refines 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 a sophisticated, up-to-date understanding of programs and resource needs.
  
  


• Helps develop (with the Communications team) 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 generous donors.
  
  


• Participates in and is visible in the life of Lab Schools.
  
  


• Manages and/or supervises program budgets in Lab ARD.
  
  


• Works with senior leadership across campus to ensure that all program strategies are integrated fully with development, College, divisional, and professional school strategies, and are working collaboratively to advance the institution's key priorities.
  
  


• Develops and administers policies and procedures related to Alumni Relations.
  
  


• Manages department strategies and plans to achieve University fundraising goals.
  
  


• Recommends and implements fundraising programs and activities.
  
  


• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
  
  

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years or more in philanthropic leadership including campaign management.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Independent School experience.
  
  


• Proficiency with databases and network-based environments.
  
  


• 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.
  
  


• Ability to work on your own initiative, develop rapport, and work well with others.
  
  


• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately under deadlines.
  
  


• Experience with fundraising databases and reporting tools such as Blackbaud products or Salesforce.
  
  


• Willingness and ability to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for Lab Schools business.
  
  


• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
  


• Cover Letter (required)
  
  


• Three professional writing samples(required)
  
  


• Three Professional References (required)
  
  

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



Job Family



Alumni Relations & Development



Role Impact



People Manager



FLSA Status



Exempt



Pay Frequency



Monthly



Scheduled
Weekly Hours



40



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.


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