Associate Vice President, Alumni and Community Experiences

Department

ADV Advancement

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.

Job Information

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to Vice President Armin Afsahi, this leader will join the Advancement executive leadership team and provide strategic direction and oversight for key teams that drive community-building and engagement. This role demands a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who will elevate the University's profile and ensure that the University of Chicago’s global community remains connected, engaged, and invested in the institution’s future. 

As a critical partner to senior academic and administrative leaders, volunteer boards, and University stakeholders, the AVP will craft and execute strategies that inspire alumni and friends to deepen their lifelong commitment to UChicago. The role is also central to preparing for and executing the University’s ambitious campaign launching in 2026, positioning this leader as a key architect in achieving historic fundraising and engagement goals. 

The successful candidate will bring a passion for cultivating relationships, a talent for inspiring and managing high performing teams, and a proven ability to innovate and execute programs that resonate with today’s alumni and donors. The AVP will champion a culture of excellence and impact by fostering an environment where staff are empowered to deliver transformative programs and build enduring connections across the University’s vibrant global network.

Responsibilities:

• Provides oversight and strategic direction for critical Advancement functions, including alumni relations, stewardship, annual giving, communications, and event programming while ensuring cohesive, innovative, and mission-driven initiatives.
• Drives campaign readiness in partnership with Advancement leadership and key academic units. Leads development and execution of campaign communications framework, ensures volunteer leadership is activated and prepared to serve as effective ambassadors of the University, and creates intentional experiences that drive constituent engagement and philanthropic support.
• Drives the development of a comprehensive donor relations operating strategy that strengthens stewardship and impact communication.
• Designs an innovative, centralized direct marketing/annual giving program to strengthen and expand the institutional pipeline, increasing donor acquisition and retention rates and generating critical unrestricted resources on a yearly basis.
• Partners with volunteer leaders, deans, and Advancement leadership across the university to develop and coordinate programming, communications, and outreach to increase engagement and participation across UChicago’s global community of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Serves as an adviser to partners in the schools, divisions, and units on alumni and community communication and engagement strategies and planning, helping to construct a unified and innovative approach to this work across the University.
• Personally cultivates and nurtures relationships with alumni and other constituents individually and in groups regionally, nationally, and internationally in support of advancement and overarching University goals.
• Coaches, supports, and evaluates a large, diverse team of professionals. Actively encourages staff members’ professional growth, development, and participation in the life of the University.
• Leads and inspires staff to meet and exceed expectations. Builds talent and fosters an environment that rewards new ideas and risk-taking, builds confidence, promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages effective partnerships and collaboration. Ensures that teamwork, collaboration, and innovation are expected, recognized, and rewarded; leads by example with regard to appropriate risk-taking, cross-organizational cooperation, and clear standards of conduct and performance.
• Manages staff and budget to execute responsibilities in an efficient, timely, and cost-effective manner.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession.
• Assumes additional responsibilities consistent with the changing needs of the office.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Competencies:

• Work across the enterprise to foster cohesion among systems, people, culture, strategies, and tactics. Ensure teams have clear, shared priorities and hold staff responsible for focusing on and implementing the strategy. Build talent and operational capacity to meet current and future enterprise needs.
• Drive a culture of data-informed decision-making, continuous evaluation, and innovation to adapt to evolving institutional needs and the dynamic landscape of higher education advancement.
• Provide guidance and support to help team members learn and grow. Enable a challenging and supportive environment for direct reports and others to assume ownership for programs and results, take intelligent risks, and learn from mistakes. Provide direct feedback and coaching that ensures accountability, professional development, and team success.
• Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with University leadership, volunteer boards, and other partners across schools, divisions, and units to amplify engagement efforts and foster a unified, University-wide approach to advancement. Connect with peer organizations and professional associations to build UChicago Advancement’s national reputation and presence. Ensures partners’ experience is top of mind in all areas of Advancement activity.
• Oversee departmental budgets and resources with financial acumen, fostering operational excellence and ensuring efficient, timely, and cost-effective execution of programs and initiatives.
• Outstanding organizational skills exhibiting insight, innovation, transparency, persuasiveness, and commitment to mission.
• Proven ability to work with, and inspire confidence and trust from, senior leaders, faculty, and staff, and manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• A collegial management style and motivate, energize, and focus leaders and staff.
• A sense of urgency and commitment to priorities, with an ability to adapt to new programs and priorities in an emerging and changing environment.
• A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative, diverse and inclusive team environment.
• Proficiency to communication effectively and with influence.
• A strong work ethic and drive to succeed.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum ten years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, or similar field.
• A record of success working with faculty, senior administrators, trustees, and other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Minimum five years of successfully managing, coaching, and motivating staff required.
• Minimum three years of experience developing, and monitoring budgets required.
• Superior analytical and prioritization skills; embrace challenges and thrive in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability to both delegate and execute, thereby leading by word and example required.
• Flexibility to adapt in an emerging and changing environment required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• 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.
• Proficient in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• 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.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV

Job Family

Senior Administrators

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$250,000.00 - $300,000.00

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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