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Assistant Director, Development Communications

Employer
The University of Chicago
Location
5235 S. Harper Court

Job Details

Job location: 5235 S. Harper Court


Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2019-06-19
Req: JR05434
Please make sure to read the job posting in its entirety as it reflects both the University roles and responsibilities, followed by the specific description.

Department32370 Law School

About the UnitThe University of Chicago Law School occupies a unique niche among this country's premier law schools. Located on a residential campus in one of America's great cities, Chicago offers a rigorous and interdisciplinary professional education that blends the study of law with the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students, faculty, and staff form a small, tightly knit community devoted to the life of the mind. The Law School opened its doors in 1902, twelve years after the founding of the University of Chicago. It has been an innovator in legal education ever since. For more information on the law school, https://www.law.uchicago.edu/.

Job FamilyCommunications

Responsible for planning, preparing, publishing, and disseminating University sponsored information both internally and externally. Prepares written, graphical, audio, and visual material to support the communications to press and government agencies.

Career Track and Job LevelCommunications

Plans, prepares and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Responsibilities typically include marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications.

P2: Requires knowledge and experience in own discipline; still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills. Builds knowledge of the organization, processes and customers. Solves a range of straightforward problems. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction.

Role ImpactIndividual Contributor

ResponsibilitiesThe job plans, prepares and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Work is performed with a moderate level of guidance, and typically includes marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications.

1) Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction., 2) Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following: written communications; visual/graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance; speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills., 3) Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity., 4) Continues to build higher level knowledge of the University, processes and customers., 5) Performs other related work as needed.

Unit-specific Responsibilities

1) Manage the planning, production, and implementation of a range of communications that support complex, high-profile projects for alumni relations, annual fund materials, special events, stewardship, and development 

2) Participate with External Affairs and Law School Communications staff in the development of integrated communications strategies, including long-term communications planning, branding, marketing, and design projects

3) Research, write, and edit content, including gift stories, proposals, stewardship materials, and marketing collateral. Work to ensure a consistent voice, style, and tone in all communications

4) Develop and execute a best-in-class donor relations program to engage prospects and donors, meeting regularly with frontline fundraisers to develop stewardship plans; create donor-specific stewardship strategies and manage the production of communication materials to implement the strategies.

5) Attend regular meetings and work in partnership with the Law School’s Communications staff. Collaborate with stewardship and communication professionals at the peer university level and across campus to guide best practices. Advise strategy adjustments and continuous improvement by monitoring and investigating industry trends, researching new technology options, and tracking and measuring communications’ effectiveness

6) Engage with faculty, staff, and students, and others stakeholders in the development of messaging and communication products that inspire a strong affinity for and philanthropic contributions to the Law School

7) Manage and document communication projects, including the production of the development pages of the bi-annual alumni magazine, The Law School Record, the annual Impact Report, ongoing e-newsletters, and other donor and alumni communications projects

8) Monitor and help update External Affairs’ web pages and the Law School development presence on Central university pages, working with Communications staff to develop and support dynamic content

9) Establish and maintain effective vendor relationships, including with writers and designers; create schedules and project plans, develop production timelines, traffic files, and ensure high quality, on-time delivery

10) Act as the primary point of contact for faculty and staff for high priority stewardship projects and other projects, as assigned. Prioritize and coordinate projects based on Alumni Relations and Development departmental goals

11) Draft and prepare relevant correspondence, presentations, and talking points for the Dean related to External Affairs activity

12) Serve as the primary point of contact for selected donors, to develop targeted solicitations with a goal of endowing new funds and building established funds

13) Other duties as assigned by the Director of Annual Giving

Unit-preferred Responsibilities:

1) Superior writing and editing skills, interpersonal, communication, and listening skills

2) Strong client service orientation and attention to detail

3) Creative problem-solving and decision-making skills

4) Strong attention to follow-up and excellent organizational skills

5) An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative

6) Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact

7) 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 Griffin (the University's Donor Relationship Management System), Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access

8) Ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting

9) Flexibility and adaptability to new programs in an emerging and changing environment

10) Ability to manage large, complex projects with multiple stakeholders and constituent groups

11) Willingness and ability to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business

12) Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Education, Experience, and CertificationsMinimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

1) Bachelor's Degree

Experience

1) Two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, communications, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience

2) Experience in an institution of higher education

3) One year of professional experience in stewardship and/or donor relations

4) Demonstrated track record of strategic and creative approaches to donor relations

Required Documents

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

3) Writing Sample

4) References

NOTE: When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application

FLSA StatusExempt

Pay FrequencyMonthly

Pay GradeDepends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours37.5

Benefits EligibleYes

Drug Test RequiredNo

Health Screen RequiredNo

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry RequiredNo

Posting Date2019-06-14-07:00

Remove from Posting On or Before2019-12-14-08:00

Posting StatementThe University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.

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.

Organization

An intellectual destination

One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, The University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, The University of Chicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping The University of Chicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.

A transformative education

Our education empowers individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the undergraduate College broaden their perspectives on world issues in the rigorous Core curriculum. Graduate programs through our four divisions, six professional schools, and the Graham School of Continuing Liberal Arts and Professional Studies transform scholars into leaders and grant access to professors often lauded as some of the world's greatest thinkers.

Groundbreaking research

With a commitment to free and open inquiry, our scholars take an interdisciplinary approach to research that spans arts to engineering, medicine to education. Their work transforms the way we understand the world, advancing fields of study, and often creating new ones. Generating new knowledge for the benefit of present and future generations, The University of Chicago research has had an impact around the globe, leading to such breakthroughs as discovering the link between cancer and genetics, establishing revolutionary theories of economics, and developing tools to produce reliably excellent urban schooling.

A commitment to enrich society

Located in one of the world's greatest cities, The University of Chicago is enriched by and invested in the community we call home. As the second-largest private employer in Chicago, our talented faculty, physicians, and staff comprise a dedicated team committed to the mission of the University.

We partner with our South Side neighbors on innovative initiatives with local benefits and replicable outcomes for urban universities everywhere. Meanwhile, our research and ideas have broad impact, crossing borders to drive international conversations. The same is true of our diverse and creative students and alumni, who found businesses, create masterpieces, and win Nobel Prizes.

In all we do, we are driven to dig deeper, push further, and ask bigger questions—and to leverage our knowledge to enrich all human life.

Working at The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a vibrant community of people dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education and research. One of the largest employers in the metropolitan area, the University employs 10,000 diverse and talented individuals who come to work here from all over the world. The University's location in the heart of an urban environment provides many cultural offerings as well as opportunities to engage with the local community.

We invite you to find out more about the many advantages of working at The University of Chicago.

Our Location: Hyde Park

The Hyde Park community is rich in tradition, culturally diverse, and brimming with art, music, and entertainment opportunities. Find out more about living and working in the Hyde Park area.

Our Benefits: An Overview

The University offers a wide array of competitive benefits, learning opportunities, and additional services to our employees. Find out more about how working at the University of Chicago could benefit you.

University of Chicago Facts:

  • 5,860 undergraduate students
  • 9,866 graduate, professional, and other students
  • 160,000 alumni world wide
  • 2,274 full time faculty
  • 7,164 staff
  • 49 majors and 40 minors in the undergraduate College
  • 5 divisions and 6 professional schools for graduate study
  • 99 Nobel Laureates
Company info
Telephone
773-834-8997
Location
6054 S Drexel Ave
Chicago
IL
60637
US

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