Laboratory Schools: Director of Alumni Relations and Giving
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

Lab School Laboratory Schools

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.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools seek a Director of Alumni Relations and Giving to foster community, connections, and engagement among our vibrant alumni community. Reporting to the Associate Director of Schools for Alumni Relations & Development at Lab, the Director is responsible for designing and executing a best-in-class alumni relations program that engages and deepens connections and relationships among alumni, with their alma mater, and with current and future students. The Director will provide initiative and leadership for events, initiatives, and relationship-building with the goal of increasing engagement, volunteerism, and philanthropic support. The successful Director will bring a readiness and willingness to pursue and complete solicitations, serve on Lab's Major Gifts Team, cultivate strong relationships with alumni donor prospects, and connect them with appropriate giving opportunities. They will work closely with Lab's Alumni Association Executive Board (AAEB) to develop programs and pathways for meaningful connection and support of the school, its current students and employees, and strategic imperatives. The successful Director will partner effectively with staff and resources at the Laboratory Schools and at the University's Central Development offices, including the Office of Direct Response, Communications, and Special Events.

Responsibilities

• Engages and creates pathways for the AAEB to become further involved and immersed in programs at Lab.
• Designs regional programs in key US cities including Boston, Washington D.C., New York, the San Francisco Bay area, and Los Angeles.
• Effectively engages local Chicago alumni by creating opportunities for integration into school functions and events.
• Creates programs for current students that connect them with Lab alumni and further productive, rewarding long-term relationships.
• Serves on the Major Gifts Team, and maintains a portfolio of donor prospects for solicitation and connection to appropriate giving opportunities.
• Increases alumni giving participation through solicitations, social media platforms, appeals, events, and one-on-one solicitations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Works with University's ARD communication and direct response teams to leverage their capabilities to help meet Lab's goals.
• Works in tandem with the University's prospect management team to execute cultivation and solicitation assignments and works with Lab ARD colleagues to meet the goals of the anticipated fundraising campaign.
• Creates fundraising and relationship-building strategies including peer-to-peer visits and solicitations, both regionally and nationally.
• Oversees and contributes to a robust and strategic alumni communications program, including print, electronic, and interpersonal communications as well as events, with a focus on Alumni Weekend and on-the-road alumni events in major markets that might feature Lab's Director, a board member, or faculty member.
• Builds strong working relationships with staff in the College, professional schools, units, and in other departments across campus. Develops performance standards for the alumni relations staff within a unit. Sets activity goals for the team and maintains the annual operating budget for constituent relations programs.
• Leads 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.
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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 or higher.
• Advanced graduate or professional degree in business, marketing, management, or higher education administration.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in development, communications, events management, or public relations in higher education or non-profit setting, or a related field.
• Direct experience in development and alumni relations, with experience in individual giving and volunteer and special events management.
• A minimum of one year of supervisory and staff management experience.
• Experience developing and monitoring budgets.

Certifications:

• Valid drivers license.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Microsoft Suite.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with fundraising database applications; learn and manipulate databases.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing social media to execute engagement and communications strategies.

Preferred Competencies

• Live the mission of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.
• Cultivate knowledge of the history, demographics, faculty, current programs, departments, and processes of the Laboratory Schools and the University of Chicago at large.
• Ongoing commitment to learning and growth in skills, issues, and competencies relevant to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Skill at building and sustaining excellent relationships at multiple levels with varied constituencies.
• Proven experience in contributing to community inclusiveness, culture of belonging, and structures of equitable practices.
• Participate personally in high-level gift strategies and solicitations.
• Organize, plan and manage multiple projects.
• Work under pressure and respond positively to deadlines and requests.
• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and execute, thereby leading by word and by example.
• Resolve conflict and build consensus.
• Work collegially and collaboratively.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write well with a strong commitment to customer service.
• Excellent diplomatic skills.
• Make excellent first impressions and develop sound, enduring relationships with a broad range of people, including high-level corporate and civic executives.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work independently with a high level of discretion and creativity.
• Attention to detail and follow-through.
• A high degree of flexibility and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to meet goals and deadlines.
• Familiarity with an independent school environment.

Working Conditions

• Some domestic travel.
• Attend and help with weekend and evening events.
• Office environment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• Professional References Contact Information (3)(preferred)

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

Individual Contributor

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

Yes

Posting Statement

Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.

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