University of Chicago · 2 months ago
Senior Director, Development, Arts and Culture
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$180K/yr - $190K/yr
10+ years expThe University of Chicago is a prestigious institution focused on advancement and philanthropy. This role manages multiple teams to execute fundraising strategies, develop donor relationships, and oversee arts and culture fundraising initiatives.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Provides management, leadership, oversight, and vision for comprehensive arts and culture related fundraising strategy and activities at the University of Chicago
Shapes and grows the University’s arts and culture related philanthropic activity with a focus on individual and organizational donor prospects with capacity to give major and principal gifts in collaboration with the Vice Provost for the Arts, the Deans of the Humanities and University Library, campus arts and culture unit leaders, unit DoDs, and the Associate Vice President in Advancement
Serves as a key strategist and coordinator for arts and culture fundraising priorities in the next campaign, and in partnership with other leaders, works to draft and formalize campaign plans
Develops and manages a personal portfolio of individual and organizational donors with a goal to develop a sustainable pipeline of $100K+ solicitations and closing $2.5M-$5M in gifts annually
Manages and oversees fundraising teams affiliated with the Court Theatre (4 FTE) and the Smart Museum (2 FTE), the centrally organized Arts and Culture Development Team (1 FTE), and dotted line oversight for fundraising teams at ISAC (3 FTE) and the University Library (3FTE)
Travels with and regularly staffs campus arts and culture leadership in their work with high-capacity individual and organizational donor prospects
Responsible for a range of key priority areas, including developing new funding opportunities tied to these areas as needed
Hires, manages, evaluates, develops and terminates staff as needed. Actively encourages staff members' professional growth and participation in the life of the University
Monitors and manages an annual budget. Addresses budget variances as they occur
Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions, with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession
Manages department strategies and plans to achieve University fundraising goals
Develops and implements fundraising programs and activities. May recruit staff volunteers
Manages and maintains a portfolio of current and potential donors. Identifies and cultivates gift prospects and potential donors through events, visits, personalized correspondences, and phone calls
Performs other related work as needed
Qualification
Required
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline
Provides management, leadership, oversight, and vision for comprehensive arts and culture related fundraising strategy and activities at the University of Chicago
Shapes and grows the University's arts and culture related philanthropic activity with a focus on individual and organizational donor prospects with capacity to give major and principal gifts in collaboration with the Vice Provost for the Arts, the Deans of the Humanities and University Library, campus arts and culture unit leaders, unit DoDs, and the Associate Vice President in Advancement
Serves as a key strategist and coordinator for arts and culture fundraising priorities in the next campaign, and in partnership with other leaders, works to draft and formalize campaign plans
Develops and manages a personal portfolio of individual and organizational donors with a goal to develop a sustainable pipeline of $100K+ solicitations and closing $2.5M-$5M in gifts annually
Manages and oversees fundraising teams affiliated with the Court Theatre (4 FTE) and the Smart Museum (2 FTE), the centrally organized Arts and Culture Development Team (1 FTE), and dotted line oversight for fundraising teams at ISAC (3 FTE) and the University Library (3FTE)
Travels with and regularly staffs campus arts and culture leadership in their work with high-capacity individual and organizational donor prospects
Responsible for a range of key priority areas, including developing new funding opportunities tied to these areas as needed
Hires, manages, evaluates, develops and terminates staff as needed. Actively encourages staff members' professional growth and participation in the life of the University
Monitors and manages an annual budget. Addresses budget variances as they occur
Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions, with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession
Manages department strategies and plans to achieve University fundraising goals
Develops and implements fundraising programs and activities. May recruit staff volunteers
Manages and maintains a portfolio of current and potential donors. Identifies and cultivates gift prospects and potential donors through events, visits, personalized correspondences, and phone calls
Resume/CV (required)
Preferred
Bachelor's degree
Advanced degree
Minimum 10 years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar field
Minimum five years of soliciting and closing major gifts
Minimum four years of management experience, including staff management
Minimum two years of experience developing and monitoring budgets
Familiar with working with volunteers
Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System
Proficient in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, especially Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
Demonstrated record of organizing successful fundraising, marketing or membership programs
Demonstrated success of meeting or exceeding goals
Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and encourage growth and change in both people and programs. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment
Manage confidential information with discretion and tact
Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting
Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail
Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively
Self-motivated and take initiative
Expertise managing a complex prospect and donor pipeline
Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)
Benefits
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.
Company
University of Chicago
One of the world’s great intellectual destinations, the University of Chicago empowers scholars and students to ask tough questions, cross disciplinary boundaries, and challenge conventional thinking to enrich human life around the globe.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Chicago has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (341)
2024 (318)
2023 (285)
2022 (233)
2021 (179)
2020 (172)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Benedicte Nolens
Distinguished Executive in Residence
Recent News
2025-11-08
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
2025-10-23
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