Senior Associate Director, Alumni Events and Programs

Company: The University Of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 27, 2025

Job Description:

DepartmentARD Alumni and Volunteer Experience
About the DepartmentAlumni 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 online. ARD raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.
Job SummaryThis 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

• Leads a team focused on cross-campus partnerships and universal alumni engagement opportunities for the UChicago community.
• Manages a complex portfolio of alumni signature experiences, 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.
• Partners with leadership in the office of Alumni and Volunteer Experience, to develop and implement a strategy for strengthening alumni engagement partnerships across campus. Serves as an important contact for unit-based alumni engagement teams, partnering to support and advise on unit-based alumni engagement efforts and collaborating in the creation of a comprehensive, complementary alumni experiences.
• Leverages a variety of resources to develop and maintain a deep understanding of University priorities. Uses this knowledge to shape signature programming with of a focus of increasing alumni awareness of and fluency in University priorities.
• Develops and strengthens key relationships with internal and external partners to create and execute best-in-class event and engagement experiences and develop strategies for programming across regions and formats.
• Develops an integrated strategy for alumni event communications that leverages digital, social, traditional, and evolving communications strategies to advance alumni engagement.
• Continually evaluates, assesses, and reports on signature and universal experiences for ongoing improvement and growth, with a particular focus on driving alumni engagement and fundraising goals.
• Hires, manages, evaluates, and retains top talent. Provides training and guidance for team members regarding all aspects of event planning and coordination.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession.
• 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 QualificationsEducation: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:---Preferred QualificationsEducation:
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Advanced degree.Experience:
    • Minimum five years of professional work experience in event, meeting, or conference planning; development; alumni relations; or similar professional work experience.
    • Minimum two years of management experience, including staff.
    • Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
    • Background working with faculty and university leadership.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.
      • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.Preferred Competencies
        • Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and to 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.
        • Self-motivated and take initiative.
        • Strong commitment to customer service.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 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) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
              Job FamilyAlumni Relations & Development
              Role ImpactIndividual Contributor
              Scheduled Weekly Hours37.5
              Drug Test RequiredNo
              Health Screen RequiredNo
              Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry RequiredNo
              Pay Rate TypeSalary
              FLSA StatusExempt
              Pay Range$85,000.00 - $100,000.00The 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 EligibleYesThe 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 .
              Posting StatementThe University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.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.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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Keywords: The University Of Chicago, Downers Grove , Senior Associate Director, Alumni Events and Programs, Executive , Chicago, Illinois