Executive Director, Regional Advancement, West

Department

ADV Regional Advancement

About the Department

Meng Peeps, a national executive search firm dedicated to nonprofit institutions, primarily colleges and universities, hospitals and health systems, cultural institutions, and research institutes, has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the University of Chicago. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should apply here and feel free to visit Meng Peeps’ website for further inquiries or to review additional details about this opportunity.

https://mfpsearch.com/

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.

UChicago’s Regional Advancement team is organized into four regional teams, Central, West, East, and Global. This model is part of a broader institutional commitment, approved by the University of Chicago Board of Trustees, to expand regional advancement and discovery efforts nationwide. As the University’s chief engagement officer and lead fundraiser for the West Coast, the Executive Director will serve as UChicago’s boots-on-the-ground ambassador in the region, working in close collaboration with central and unit-based colleagues across University Advancement to ensure a unified, donor-centric approach.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago seeks an experienced and strategic advancement professional to serve as the inaugural Executive Director, Regional Advancement, West. This individual will lead a bold relaunch of UChicago’s West Coast advancement efforts, re-establishing presence, strengthening engagement, and driving philanthropic momentum in a region with deep alumni networks and extraordinary philanthropic potential.

As UChicago’s senior advancement leader on the West Coast, the Executive Director will develop and implement a cohesive regional engagement and fundraising strategy, managing a team of three, with plans to expand to four, and serving as a vital connector to University Advancement and unit-based colleagues across the institution. The Executive Director will build a dynamic regional program designed to engage high-capacity donors, strengthen key partnerships, and drive results as the University prepares to publicly launch its next comprehensive campaign.

This fully remote position reports to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement and offers flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to define a modern regional advancement model grounded in excellence, collaboration, and strategic impact.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the chief fundraiser and engagement officer for the West Coast, leading a coordinated University-wide strategy to grow philanthropic investment in the region.
• Manages a personal portfolio of 30–40 prospects capable of six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts, generating $5M+ in new gift commitments and conducting 50+ visits annually.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with donors, alumni, families, volunteers, and key institutional leaders across cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Diego.
• Coordinates closely with University Advancement and campus colleagues to deliver donor-centric experiences and elevate the University’s visibility and reputation across the region.
• Leads regional discovery efforts and provides ongoing insights to shape institutional strategy, uncover new opportunities, and drive long-term growth.
• Oversees and tracks progress toward annual and campaign-specific fundraising goals for the region, leveraging data to drive accountability and refine strategies.
• Serves as the lead liaison to campus and unit partners, supporting fundraisers working across the giving spectrum and ensuring strong alignment between regional and central/unit-based initiatives.
• Fosters collaboration across alumni relations and fundraising teams to execute integrated engagement strategies and deliver cohesive donor experiences.
• Guides the development of cultivation and solicitation strategies, manages communication with prospects, and represents the region’s interests across Advancement and University leadership.
• Manages the team’s regional budget and long-term planning efforts, ensuring optimal resource allocation and operational efficiency.
• Recruits, leads, and mentors a high-performing, geographically distributed team focused on delivering ambitious fundraising results and deepening engagement.
• Provides coaching and oversight to ensure healthy, sustainable portfolios and a robust donor pipeline.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, actively encouraging staff development and professional growth.
• Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of team management and engagement strategy.
• Serves as a visible, accessible, and trusted leader across the University’s regional advancement enterprise.
• 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.
• Develops department strategies and plans to achieve fundraising goals.
• Develops and implements fundraising programs and activities. May recruit staff volunteers.
• Manages and maintains a portfolio of current and potential donors. Identifies and cultivates gift prospects and potential donors through events, visits, personalized correspondences, and phone calls.
• Reviews and assesses staff.
• 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.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum ten years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar field.
• Minimum of seven years of experience soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Expertise in principal gifts, with experience in both PRM and SRM roles, and familiarity with shared credit fundraising models.
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing a regional fundraising program, with strong relationship-building skills across academic and administrative partners.
• At least four years of management experience, including staff supervision.
• Minimum of four years of program management and oversight.
• Minimum of two years of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
• Proven track record of successfully working with volunteers, faculty, senior administrators, and other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled in managing distributed teams and supporting staff working remotely.
• Proven track record of successfully working with volunteers, faculty, senior administrators, and other key internal and external stakeholders.

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 the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and encourage change and growth in both people and programs. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Committed to data-informed decision making, with the ability to translate analytics into actionable strategies.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting, fostering partnership and collaboration with colleagues and academic leaders.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and to execute, thereby leading by word and by example. 
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• High attention to detail and follow-up; excellent organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated success closing major and principal gifts and meeting or exceeding goals.
• Demonstrated record of organizing successful fundraising, marketing or membership programs.
• Demonstrated ability to interact comfortably with various constituent groups.
• Expertise managing a complex prospect and donor pipeline.

Working Conditions

• This position is a remote role based in California.
• Remote workspace must be safe and appropriate, have access to sufficient and reliable internet capacity, and be without interruptions or distractions.
• Maintain a professional representation of the University in terms of visual backgrounds, attire, ambient sound, and phone/video etiquette.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Frequent domestic travel required, including regular trips to Chicago, 4–6 times annually, and across key West Coast cities.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

People Manager

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

$205,000.00

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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