Department

CSL Athletics and Recreation

About the Department

The University of Chicago is one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) is comprised of 20 departments that serve the University's 15,000 college, graduate, and professional school students, as well as the campus community more broadly. CSL is importantly charged with the dual task of supporting all students in the University, graduate and undergraduate, and managing multiple campus departments and services that serve the entire campus community. CSL's programs and services focus on supporting student academic success, providing opportunities for personal growth and leadership development, developing community and engagement through the residential housing and dining program, and in areas such as artistic expression, community service, spiritual exploration, and athletic competition.

The University of Chicago community includes approximately 5,600 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate, professional, and other students and there are over 300 recognized student organizations working together to create a vibrant and dynamic student life. The University of Chicago is a member of the University Athletic Association and the NCAA (Division III). The University sponsors 20 varsity sports. The Department of Athletics & Recreation maintains an environment that supports the student athletes' commitment to thriving academically and athletically. A diverse, challenging athletic program supplements the rigorous academic curriculum. The lessons learned through athletic endeavors represent an invaluable part of the nonacademic aspects of a holistic education. Achieving this goal is based on a commitment to excellence.

Job Summary

Leads the athletics fundraising team, setting and implementing fundraising goals, strategies, and priorities in collaboration with colleagues in Athletics, Alumni Relations & Development (ARD), and the College.

Responsibilities

Under the joint direction of the Director of Athletics and Recreation and the Senior Director of Development in the College, creates and implements comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit College alumni and parents with the capacity to make gifts of $100K+. Directs a team whose primary focus is on increasing both dollars and donors to the athletics program, building engagement of individuals with the Athletics Department, teams, and coaches, and creating and refining gift opportunities based on the department’s priorities.

With the Director of Athletics, executes on campaign fundraising and engagement goals that will help transform athletics in the coming decade.

Achieves personal fundraising and activity goals monthly, quarterly, and annually by building and managing a portfolio of approximately 120 athletic prospects; executing a target of 100 prospect visits per year; and fundraising over $1M annually. Provides scheduled and ad hoc updates to managers on fundraising progress and strategies with key prospects.

Manages the Assistant Director of Athletics Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, helping to execute a comprehensive engagement and annual giving solicitation strategy. Together, ensures the success of the athletics annual giving society, Friends of Maroon Athletics, and serves as development liaisons for coaches and volunteer boards tied to athletics. Develops and executes a comprehensive strategy for the University’s Giving Day, continuing to elevate Athletics and maintain its status as one of the University’s top performing units in donors and dollars.

Arranges for prospects to meet with appropriate Department of Athletics leadership, coaches, and College and University leadership when needed, as part of a cultivation strategy. Maintains strong communication links with various College and University colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to strengthening the prospect or donor's relationship with athletics. Strengthens fundraising communication with coaches and athletics support staff.

Delivers timely and effective follow-up in various forms to prospects and donors, which will include generating customized fundraising proposals specific to athletics. Generates timely contact reports in prospect database following prospect and donor visits. Serves as key partner for stewardship of major gift donors and planned giving donors who are supporting athletics, working collaboratively with College partners to maintain a strong stewardship strategy.

As an active and fully integrated member of both the Department of Athletics and the College Development Team, serves as a content expert on the College and Athletics. Provides content for the Athletics Department website, publications, brochures, and related collateral materials necessary to support athletics fundraising activities. Assists in the coordination of major gifts donor activities at select athletic events and represents the Athletic Department at University and community events tied to development activities when needed.

Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions in the athletics arena. 

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.

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.Advanced degree.

Experience:

Success in major gift frontline fundraising for 3+ years prior, and has experience closing gifts at the $100K+ level.5 years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience.1-2 years of leading a project team or managing staff.1 year of experience developing and monitoring budgets.Athletic fundraising experience, knowledge of the higher education arena and a strong affinity for intercollegiate athletics.

Preferred Competencies

Entrepreneurial, curious, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented, wants to be an integral part of a high-performing and strategic team, and is dedicated to advancing the mission of the Athletic department.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter (required)List of Three References Contact Information (preferred)

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

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$95,000.00 - $110,000.00

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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