Associate Director of Development - Major Gifts & Campaigns

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Department ISAC: Development About the Department The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures was founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and was originally envisaged as a research laboratory for the investigation of the early human career that would trace humankind’s progress from the most ancient days of West Asia and North Africa. The goal of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is to be the world’s leading center for the study of the ancient civilizations of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and significant empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum was opened to the public in 1931. The majority of ISAC's collections are from its expeditions in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A major reinstallation of the Museum, including the construction of a climate-controlled wing for housing collections and archives, took place in the 1990s and early 2000s. A complete renovation of the Museum was completed in 2019 in celebration of ISAC's centennial. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is a unit within the University of Chicago and the name of the corporation is 'The University of Chicago.' The corporation was originally incorporated on September 10, 1890. Job Summary The Associate Director of Development – Major Gifts & Campaigns will help lead ISAC’s immediate and long-term growth and success. This position will play an important revenue-generating role for capital gifts, annual giving and other priorities, especially any upcoming capital campaign. Reporting to the Director of Development the Associate Director of Development will be an essential part of a Development & Membership team’s efforts to seek five-figure annual gifts and major gifts of $100,000 or more for capital, endowment, operational and special projects. This position will collaborate closely with the Director of Development, senior ISAC leadership, and volunteer leadership to develop and pursue ambitious yet achievable annual fundraising, proposal/solicitation and visit goals. Responsibilities Major Giving: Participates in the cultivation, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts, in collaboration across the team– along with developing and maintaining an active personal prospect portfolio of 75-90 encompassing both annual and capital giving. Leadership Giving: Secures, renews, upgrades, and stewards annual $10,000 gifts through personal outreach and visits with individuals that have the capacity and interest to make five and six-figure gift commitments. Collaborates in identifying, crafting strategies, cultivating, and solicitation prospective new donors who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $1M - $2M or more. Creates and manages high-touch valued donor relations communications and cultivation matrix, with weekly updates for the Team and senior leadership. Achieves personal fundraising activity goals monthly, quarterly, and annually. Creates, manages, and delivers important development projects with complex budgets, such as travel events. Works with Regional Advancement teams and Discovery Officers to identify new prospective supporters and coordinate potential cultivations/solicitations – and expand presence in key cities and regions through visits and events. Collaborates with Development team, senior leadership, and volunteers to plan, produce, implement and attend ISAC donor-related events. Helps ensure meeting goals and timeframes for effective acknowledgement process and general donor relations and stewardship. Coordinates with Foundation and Corporate Relations office on grant strategy. Project manage select grants with content experts. Collaborates with Development & Membership team, create development communications: write appeal letters, briefings, and proposals; create and oversee prospect content for print and digital publications; ISAC website; and related projects. Maintains active and regular local travel schedule to meet with prospective donors as needed, with occasional foreign travel. Utilizes new and developing technologies for development applications (e.g. DonorBox, Thankview, ChatGPT, video conferencing, collaborative documents, etc.). 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. Establishes fundraising goals and priorities based on department objectives, designs strategies to meet those goals, and monitors progress against goals. Identifies, analyzes, and qualifies donor interest to maximize giving. Helps with overall planning efforts for the University's most important prospects. Works independently to develop communication strategies for projects, including publications and public presentations. Works with Senior Leadership, Officers and Deans to design strategic objectives and action steps that will lead to the successful realization of these projects. 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: Preferred Qualifications Education: Advanced degree. Experience: Experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience. Demonstrated track record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant philanthropic commitments. Experience working with volunteer leadership and/or Board members. 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 through the UChicago Office of Advancement, including the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite. Demonstrated skill using Excel / spreadsheets. Demonstrated project management experience. Preferred Competencies Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Manage confidential information with discretion and tact. Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Work collaboratively in a team setting. Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail. High self-motivation and the ability to take initiative. Knowledge of and affinity for history, archaeology, and museums Working Conditions Hybrid work schedule. Standard office environment. Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business. Occasional evening and weekend work required. Some foreign travel may be required ( This position is located at 1155 E. 58th St. in Hyde Park. Application Documents Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (required) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. 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 ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $72,000.00 - $93,000.00 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. 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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