Associate Director, Intellectual Engagement
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

ARD Intellectual Engagement

About the Department

Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and virtually. ARD raises $600 Million annually to advance UChicago's mission and values and to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. As a comprehensive and integrated advancement enterprise, our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

Within the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving (AEAG) team oversees a diverse set of programs and initiatives designed to increase participation and engagement among alumni, parents, and friends of the University, with a focus on driving key University priorities. Under the direction of the Executive Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, this team is responsible for achieving ambitious participation, engagement, and fundraising goals within the College and broader University.

Job Summary

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. Works with the Alumni Board of Governors to create and implement guidelines to govern shared interest groups.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the creation and execution of intellectual engagement programming, with a focus on strengthening connections between alumni and the University, deepening alumni pride, and enhancing and expanding engagement opportunities for the global UChicago alumni community.
• Develops a calendar of programs that includes some in-person domestic and international events planned well in advance, and some quick turnaround virtual events, that are topical and responsive to the news of the moment. Participates in the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of intellectual engagement programs. Identifies, cultivates, and recruits faculty and other high-level speakers for participation in intellectual engagement programming.
• Develops briefing materials for program participants, moderators, and senior leadership. Leads prep meetings with moderators and speakers to ensure productive public programming.
• Leverages a variety of resources, including but not limited to colleagues, media resources, and other research, to develop and maintain a deep understanding of faculty research and University priorities.
• Works closely with the communications team to develop promotional materials and outreach strategies to cultivate audiences.
• Works closely with the strategic events team to coordinate the logistics for the events, including but not limited to venue and menu selection, speaker travel, hotel blocks, security, and registration.
• Coordinates with colleagues in development to ensure accurate tracking for prospect development.
• Develops and strengthens key relationships with internal and external partners to create and execute best-in-class alumni intellectual engagement experiences.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for event attendees, responding to all phone, email, and mail inquiries.
• Tracks program expenses, reporting on, and analyzing expenses.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records, timelines, and process documents. Archives event details.
• Establishes and maintains metrics of success and makes sure those are present in departmental strategic plans, goals setting, and the annual budget.
• 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.
• Builds strong working relationships with staff in the College, professional schools, units, and in other departments across campus. May help develop performance standards for the alumni relations staff within a unit. Sets activity goals for the team and maintains the annual operating budget for constituent relations programs.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional work experience in journalism, event, meeting, or conference planning.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.

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 the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• 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.
• Travel domestic and internationally.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

Staff 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.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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