Executive Director, Development

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges. Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment. Chicago Booth is proud to claim: -an unmatched faculty. -degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents. -a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni. -strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities. As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/
Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Executive Director, Development is a senior leader responsible for shaping and driving the strategic direction of Chicago Booth’s Major Gifts and Annual Giving programs. This role guides the vision, strategy, and execution needed to strengthen donor engagement, grow the pipeline, and increase philanthropic investment in support of Booth’s mission and the University’s comprehensive campaign. The Executive Director serves as a key partner to the CAO and supports Advancement’s work with the Dean, Deputy Deans, faculty, and Centers, helping articulate priorities and preparing academic leadership for donor meetings and solicitations. As a member of the senior leadership team and a contributing member of the Principal Gifts team, the Executive Director helps ensure alignment, coordination, and momentum across Booth’s fundraising efforts. This leader manages a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of $1M+ gifts while overseeing a high-performing frontline fundraising team and annual fund team. The Executive Director is responsible for developing coordinated annual and multi-year fundraising plans, fostering a collaborative, data-informed culture that empowers staff at all levels to succeed, and, in partnership with the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, market planning in primary and secondary markets.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.
• Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes.
• Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, and persuasion skills.
• Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods, such as in-person, email, and phone.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree.
• Program management experience.
• Relevant experience managing academic research projects and/or working in higher education.
• Background leading a team that works in multiple locations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategy, planning, and execution of Major Gifts and Annual Giving programs, which focus on gifts below $10 million, ensuring alignment with Booth priorities.
• Supports Booth Advancement and the CAO’s relationships with the Dean and faculty in developing fundraising priorities and preparing for donor engagements.
• Drives expansion of Chicago Booth’s donor pipeline in partnership with Alumni Engagement, Communications, Donor Relations, Prospect Management and Research, Events, and other internal teams leveraging volunteer leadership, reunion giving, and milestone-based engagement strategies.
• Sets ambitious goals for the leadership annual giving especially the Dean’s Society, reunion giving, and major gift programs, including gift officer activity to help support Booth’s fundraising targets.
• Strengthens a culture of philanthropy for new and existing donors at all levels, including the broad base of those giving below $2,500.
• Manages a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of $1M+ gifts.
• Serves as a member of the Principal Gifts team, contributing to coordinated cultivation strategies for Booth’s highest-level prospects.
• Alongside alumni engagement, oversees strategic market plans in primary and secondary regions to deepen engagement and expand cultivation opportunities.
• Develops annual and campaign-aligned fundraising plans for Major Gifts and Annual Giving.
• Leads, mentors, and grows a high-performing fundraising team, promoting a culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Contributes to strategic planning as a member of the senior leadership team and supports the work of the Council on Chicago Booth, which is led by Alumni Engagement.
• Oversees the development of department strategies and plans to achieve fundraising goals.
• Provide leadership and assessment of staff.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees