Associate Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations

Department

ADV Foundation & Corporate Relations 2

About the Department

The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement 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 Foundation and Corporate Relations team (FCR) works across the University, often directly with unit leadership and faculty, to encourage collaboration, develop submissions, and secure funding from major independent foundations.

Job Summary

This role manages a University-wide development program focused on foundations, corporations, fundraising associations and other institutional sources of philanthropic support. Monitors the setting and the achievement of fund raising goals with minimal guidance from others.

Responsibilities

• Primarily focusing on Economics, Policy, and Social Sciences, assists faculty seeking foundation and corporate support as needed by identifying projects and providing guidance on approaches to potential funders.
• Serves as primary FCR liaison for education related initiatives. Leverages deep knowledge and expertise of education funding landscape to assist faculty, centers, and initiatives pursuing education-related work in developing organizational relationships, find partnerships, and pursue relevant funding opportunities.
• Annually conducts/supports at least 15 visits, submits at least 20 proposals totaling $1M-$10M and raises $.5M-$2M+.
• Collaborates with the FCR team to analyze foundation interests, assess opportunities, and pursue foundation support for selected University programs.
• Develops and monitors strategies for a portfolio of assigned foundations, maintaining a working knowledge of relevant foundation and corporations; contacts foundation and corporate program officers to proactively explore areas of synergy, introduce faculty and programs to foundation officers.
• Works across departments to manage requests for support, prepare required reports, and develop and implement ways to promote, cultivate, and steward foundation activities across campus.
• Defines and coordinates opportunities for inclusion of foundation representatives in campus activities and special programs, both as cultivation for new grants and as stewardship for existing grants.
• Collaborates with faculty leaders, program directors and senior administrators to conceptualize research programs. Identifies emerging program areas with funding promise and assists in the development of new projects.
• Assists faculty in defining programs and budgetary needs for presentation to foundations. Prepares correspondence and other materials for senior leaders and faculty. Provides in-depth support and assistance to junior faculty.
• Develops relationships with faculty, administration, and fundraisers throughout Economics, Policy, and Social Sciences to establish department objectives and strategies and increase funding from foundations and corporations for individual/defined projects and funding needs, and supports emerging campaign priorities from deans and other academic leaders.
• Drafts and/or edits proposal narratives, assembles proposal packets, and manages submissions for institutional funding.
• Works with multiple databases. Uses best practices and a moderate/high level of knowledge of donor programs to create and maintain reports.
• 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.
• Works with others to manage requests for support, prepare required reports, and develop and implement ways to promote, cultivate, and steward foundation activities across campus. Defines and coordinates opportunities for inclusion of foundation representatives in campus activities and special programs, both as cultivation for new grants and as stewardship for existing grants.
• Meets with prospects through personal visits, phone contact, and by promoting program benefits. Helps in developing proposals and raising gifts from corporate donors for all restricted corporate gifts, including identification of opportunities, composing solicitation letters, communication with the prospects, and supervision of the gift acknowledgment process.
• Works with multiple databases. Uses best practices and a moderate/high level of knowledge of donor programs to create and maintain reports.
• 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 or advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar field.
• Minimum one year experience leading a project team or managing staff.
• Background or coursework in policy, economics, or social sciences, development, nonprofit management, marketing, public relations, sales or similar field.

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 Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's donor relationship management system, and AURA, the University’s Research Administration System.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Understanding of development systems, database management or data cleanup a plus.

Preferred Competencies

• High attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills.
• Plan, organize and manage a wide range of activities involving extensive coordination with individuals in and outside of the University.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
• 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.
• Demonstrated experience in philanthropy or program development.

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)

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

$89,250.00 - $105,000.00

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.

 

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