Department

Crown Alumni Relations and Development

About the Department

As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions.

More than 8,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, and at governmental agencies The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), the Center for Health Administration Studies, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found here.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Development, the Development Associate is a vital member of the Crown Family School Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) team, supporting overall administrative operations such as stewardship, annual giving, alumni relations and data management. This role requires planning, organizing, and tracking details for multiple projects of varying complexity, while adhering to high standards of excellence. The ideal candidate can effectively prioritize tasks in a collaborative environment while working independently and is responsive to training and feedback. With a focus on excellent customer service and strong communication skills, this position is essential for the team’s success, fostering and strengthening community relationships and advancing the school’s mission and fundraising objectives.

Responsibilities

• Advancement Operations (35%): Plan and coordinate logistics for all department activities, varying in size and complexity. Act as the lead for data management and reporting to ensure accurate data reflection in database (Phoenix).

• Stewardship (30%): Execute a comprehensive stewardship program, that requires adhering to established timelines, meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that all stewardship activities and student scholarship information are recorded in database.

• Annual Fund (30%): Collaborating with the Associate Dean to implement and manage the annual giving program, focusing on fundraising, new donor participation and donor retention goals.

• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Collaborating with Marketing & Communications in executing event collateral and marketing efforts across all communications channels, such as event logistics, invitations, follow-up surveys and request forms.

• Preparing and organizing reports for prospect research, identification and events based on regions, participation and affinity; managing data requests and tracking volunteer activity.

• Act as principal point of contact for alumni, donors and volunteer inquiries via email and phone, ensuring timely responses.

• Maintaining and updating website and database information, ensuring data accuracy and managing the online spirit store and inventory.

• Coordinating and distributing annual impact reports, managing student/program thank you process, including collecting and organizing profiles, notes and materials.

• Assisting with specialized stewardship plans for top-tier donors and collaborating with Central ARD Donor Relations team

• Performing all aspects of gift processing, including processing gifts/checks/donations, reporting, and acknowledgements.

• Executing special solicitation initiatives, such as Giving Day, Giving Tuesday

• Maintaining necessary data and reporting for executing the annual giving program, including marketing and communications efforts

• Act as liaison with the Central ARD Annual Giving team to implement annual giving solicitation plans through direct mail and telefund programs

• Providing on-site event support as requested

• Assists in the development, planning, implementation and maintenance of alumni programs and volunteer activities that connect students and alumni in any existing or new alumni clubs and formed committees.

• Maintains metrics of success and makes sure those are present in departmental strategic plans, goals setting, and the annual budget.

• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field such as communications, marketing, or nonprofit management.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in development, alumni relations, or a related field.

Preferred Competencies

• Superior writing, editing, interpersonal, communication, and listening skills.

• Customer-service orientation with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion.

• Ability to effectively work on multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of quality and keen attention to detail.

• Skilled at working independently and as a team member.

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including Phoenix (the University's Donor Relationship Management System), Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

• Willingness and ability to travel to non-campus locations for University business.

• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (required)

• References (preferred)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

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

$60,000.00

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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