Description:

Assistant Director/Associate Director/Director of Advancement

University Library
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seeks a full-time Assistant Director/Associate Director/Director of Advancement for the University Library. This individual will report to the University Library Senior Director of Advancement Operations.

Since it was founded in 1868, the University Library has established itself as one of the world’s premier research libraries. It houses more than 14 million volumes, a milestone unequaled by any other public university library in North America, and its holdings total more than 24 million items. Its outstanding collections and services are strong throughout all academic disciplines and renowned for the depth and breadth of information and support to scholarship and learning they provide.

On October 13, 2017, the university launched its fourth comprehensive campaign. “With Illinois” is the most ambitious philanthropic initiative in its history. The goal is to raise $2.25 billion in support of Illinois students, faculty, research, and infrastructure and to continue to elevate the values that make Illinois distinctive: a sense of boundless aspiration, collaborative research, and global perspective. The University Library is 80% of the way to its $35 million “With Illinois” campaign goal, with a completion date set for 2022.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

Organization Relationship

The Assistant Director/Associate Director/Director reports to the University Library Senior Director of Advancement Operations and works closely with advancement colleagues, Library administration and department/unit heads, alumni/friend volunteers and Library staff to maximize identification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies for major gift prospects. This position will require travel of varying durations and up to 30-50%, including evening and weekend obligations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, analyze, and design appropriate strategies for approaching prospects and donors and making the vitally important match between donors’ philanthropic interests and the Library’s priorities and programmatic needs. Proactively manage a portfolio of 100 or more individual major gift prospects and donors (with an emphasis on gifts $25,000 and more), using a focused and accountable approach of strategy development and implementation. Role will involve frequent use of planned giving vehicles.

• Share the Library’s vision, mission, and goals with external stakeholders, including alumni, friends, parents, corporations, and foundations, to foster deeper connections with the University Library and inspire philanthropic support. Creatively engage prospects with the University Library through visits, tours, literature, events, etc., and prepare Library staff, volunteers and Board of Advocates to participate in cultivation and stewardship activities as appropriate.
  
• Work collaboratively with the University Library Advancement team and other advancement professionals across campus to devise strategies for all aspects of donor engagement, including multi-unit proposals and stewardship.

Impact in Your First Year

At Advancement at Illinois, we value our employees and provide resources to help you continually learn and grow. We foster a strong, collaborative community of people who are driven by their ability to make a difference.

Within 3 months, you’ll:

• Become familiar with the strategic vision and priorities for the University Library
• Meet your assigned Prospect Development Analyst and begin to dig into your portfolio
• Attend professional development and networking activities for newcomers within Advancement
• Be introduced to fundraising fundamentals terminology adopted from Plus Delta Partners

Within 6 months, you’ll:

• Begin cultivating relationships with key prospects/donors/alumni in an effort to create and implement solicitation strategies
• Partner with stewardship and donor relations, events, alumni relations, and communications colleagues on University Library initiatives
• Be able to share multiple meaningful impact stories of transformative gifts

By the end of the first year, you’ll:

• Cooperatively set annual goals with your supervisor and portfolio management team
• Continue portfolio growth of qualified prospects and successful solicitation strategies
• Receive one-on-one coaching from Talent Management to help your transition to your new role
• Build a robust network of colleagues across campus

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• For the title of Assistant Director, a minimum of two years of successful advancement experience or three years of experience in a closely related field which requires strong relationship-building and outcome driven components. For the title of Associate Director, a minimum of three years of successful advancement experience or more than six years of experience in a closely related field which requires strong relationship-building and outcome driven components. For the title of Director, a minimum of five years of successful advancement experience or ten years of experience in a closely related field which requires strong relationship-building and outcome driven components.
• Understanding of major donor prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, preferably in a higher education environment.
• Superb oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with an emphasis on engaged, active listening.
• Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization in visits with key constituents.
• Strong relationship management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Documented success as a major gift fundraiser in higher education (and/or a non-degree granting unit)
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles (bequests, trusts, and charitable annuities).

Salary

Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To Apply

To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by May 4, 2021. Please complete your candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a letter of application/cover letter, resume and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references. For further information regarding application procedures, contact Katie Walker at walker74@illinois.edu. The proposed starting date is as soon as possible after the closing date.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The Illinois Advancement Community is committed to an ongoing, proactive process to foster and achieve diversity and inclusion in its development, alumni relations and communications activities. We will respect and encourage different voices, perspectives and ideas as we strive to represent individuals of all backgrounds and cultures which include but are not limited to the following: nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, age and ability who represent our alumni, donors and friends of the University of Illinois.

College Name or Administrative Unit:University Library Category:2-Administrative Title:Assistant Director/Associate Director/Director of Advancement - University Library (144022) Open Date:04/05/2021 Organization Name:Ofc VC Inst Advancement