Associate Director, Regional Strategic Programs

Department
ADV Regional Advancement (East)

Job Summary
The Associate Director, Regional Strategic Programs serves as an operational partner to Regional Executive Director for the East region and frontline fundraising teams by implementing regional market plans in the East and West regions that advance University fundraising priorities. This role provides strategic leadership for the planning, design, coordination, and execution of high-touch donor engagement experiences, regional events, and cultivation activities that strengthen donor relationships and support philanthropic growth. The Associate Director serves as a key liaison across Advancement partners, coordinates engagement reporting, and supports evaluation of regional engagement outcomes to inform future engagement efforts.

This role uses best practices and knowledge within Alumni Relations and leads a program designed to engage the alumni community worldwide, increase participation, and advance the objectives of the Alumni Association and the broader University. Researches, executes, and implements best practices in alumni relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an operational partner to Regional Executive Director and frontline fundraising teams by implementing regional engagement activities that support fundraising and donor engagement objectives.
• Supports execution of regional market plans established by Executive Directors and fundraising partners.
• Partners with fundraisers and regional leadership to plan, design, coordinate and execute personalized donor engagement opportunities that support cultivation, stewardship, campaign priorities, and relationship-building efforts.
• Leads the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of regional donor engagement activities, including one-on-one donor meetings, donor-hosted gatherings, faculty engagement opportunities, cultivation dinners, leadership convenings, volunteer events, and other high-touch Advancement experiences that advance regional engagement objectives.
• Coordinates donor engagement logistics and prepares briefing materials, prospect research summaries, itineraries, schedules, talking points, and related support materials for donor meetings and regional engagement activities.
• Develops engagement approaches and manages all aspects of logistics for complex regional donor engagement activities and events, including project timelines, invitation processes, RSVP management, internal and donor communications, venue and vendor coordination, onsite execution, and post-event stewardship activities.
• Interacts directly with donors and volunteer leaders in support of relationship-building and cultivation efforts, serving as a trusted resource while supporting the primary relationship manager.
• Serves as partner to regional volunteer leaders and donor hosts, supporting meaningful engagement and strengthening connections to University priorities.
• Serves as a regional resource for Advancement partners by leveraging knowledge of the assigned region's philanthropic landscape, donor and volunteer leadership, local venues, vendors, and engagement opportunities to support successful donor engagement activities and event execution.
• Serves as liaison between Regional Executive Directors and PDDS by supporting the development of event impact reports, market plan reports, and other regional engagement reporting, gathering qualitative engagement information, and ensuring timely completion of reporting deliverables.
• Collaborates with Advancement Communications, the Office of Special Events, and other Advancement partners to support coordinated execution of regional donor engagement activities aligned with broader Advancement priorities.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance donor engagement experiences and event strategies by providing recommendations based on event execution, donor interactions, engagement outcomes, and regional best practices.
• Supports additional regional advancement initiatives and special projects that advance fundraising and donor engagement objectives.
• 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.
• Assists in leading and coordinating the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. May assist in or individually create a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Has a deep understanding of strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.
• 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.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, event planning or similar professional field.
• Background with data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people.
• Managing cross-team projects.

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 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.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position will require regular travel throughout the assigned geographic region, East and West Coast, as well as periodic travel to Chicago.
• This position is located in New York.
• This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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
37.5

Drug Test Required
No

Health Screen Required
No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$87,550.00 - $103,000.00
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.