Executive Director, Annual Giving Channel Fundraising
About The Position
The Executive Director, Annual Giving Channel Fundraising leads the University of Chicago’s comprehensive, multi-channel direct-response annual giving program. The role combines strategic leadership with oversight of the annual giving appeals team and related teams of managers and professional staff. It is responsible for the institution’s campaign for annual gift support from all constituents, including alumni, and for building awareness of annual giving and a broader culture of philanthropy across the University community. Reporting to the AVP of Marketing and Communications for Advancement, the Executive Director leads annual giving strategy and execution for schools and divisions that rely on central support, with emphasis on donor retention, acquisition, and pipeline development. The role also advises Directors of Development on opportunities to build fundraising capacity and supports the rollout of the Chicago Fund, the University’s first cross-institutional annual fund. The successful candidate will bring annual giving expertise, organizational leadership, and the ability to build trust across a complex institution, while mentoring staff and helping shape the function.
Requirements
- College or university degree in a related field.
- At least 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively and explain complex ideas clearly.
- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact, and to act with integrity and professionalism.
- Ability to work collaboratively, take initiative, prioritize multiple projects, and follow through independently with attention to detail.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
- At least 7 years of professional experience with demonstrated depth in annual giving, direct-response fundraising, or a closely related discipline such as nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, or sales.
- At least 4 years of staff management experience; experience hiring and building teams is preferred.
- At least 2 years of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
- Background in a research university or another large, decentralized, multi-unit organization.
- Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, the University’s internal operations and Advancement technology tools, including Phoenix, its Donor Relationship Management System.
- Proficiency in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, especially Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement innovative annual giving strategies for units managed by University Advancement, aligned with institutional priorities and consistent messaging and donor experience standards.
- Advise unit leadership and Directors of Development on opportunities to build lasting fundraising capacity.
- Design and manage multi-channel fundraising programs, including direct mail, digital campaigns, and events, tailored to donor segments and personas.
- Steward the rollout of the Chicago Fund and maintain productive relationships with units navigating the institutional shift.
- Analyze giving trends, donor behavior, and campaign effectiveness; provide actionable insights and establish key performance indicators.
- Recruit, train, manage, and develop annual giving staff, fostering collaboration across the federated structure.
- Bring external higher-education best practices and new approaches to the team.
- Develop and oversee annual giving budgets for central operations and coordinate resource allocation with federated units.
- Ensure annual giving activities comply with institutional policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards, and partner with donor relations on recognition and stewardship.
- Pursue professional development, including webinars and seminars, and build networks within the University and with peer institutions.
- Plan, manage, support, and develop annual giving fundraisers and staff; share resources, ideas, and information to support cross-functional goals.
- Participate in and advise on annual giving objectives, goals, and strategies.
- Collaborate with communications staff on annual and strategic communications, solicitations, newsletters, senior class campaign materials, training presentations, and audience-specific marketing plans.
- Work with University leadership, faculty, and staff to align alumni and friends’ interests and philanthropic capacity with efforts to increase giving and annual donor participation.
- Assess donor behavior, acquisition, and retention; segment audiences to maximize unrestricted support.
- Work with Information Technology to develop, evaluate, and implement management information systems, and use those systems to analyze data and draw conclusions.
- Develop and manage relationships with donors, volunteers, and top administrators.
- Perform other related work as needed.
Benefits
- Benefits eligibility, including access to health, retirement, and paid time off programs and resources.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
