Department ARD Office of Campaign Management 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 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. The Strategic Planning function in ARD propels operational excellence and supports enterprise-wide alignment to help us meet-and exceed-our fundraising goals. Acting as a vital bridge between vision and execution, this function brings clarity to priorities, mobilizes cross-functional partners, and keeps complex initiatives on track. With a sharp focus on delivering practical strategies and strengthening core operations, Strategic Planning ensures that ARD not only performs at a high level today, but is also positioned for long-term, sustainable success. Job Summary This position uses best practices and knowledge of non-technical (not information technology or construction related) projects from conception to completion. Assembles teams and develops detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports while being the point of contact for those projects. This role provides strategic and operational support to senior leaders by developing briefing materials, synthesizing data, and managing key initiatives that drive organizational priorities forward. It involves translating strategic plans into actionable projects, overseeing timelines and deliverables, and ensuring alignment across departments. The position requires strong project management, analytical, and communication skills to inform decision-making and support collaboration across diverse stakeholders. Responsibilities * Enables senior leaders to advance strategic priorities by preparing agendas, briefing documents, talking points, synthesizing inputs, and drafting summaries and recommendations. * Translates strategic plan and leadership priorities into proposed initiatives, projects, or programs aimed at growing organizational capacity and driving results. * Coordinates and manages timelines, workstreams, deliverables, and stakeholders for major strategic initiatives. * Develops project charters, workplans, and status reports to maintain transparency and accountability. * Tracks progress against goals and flags risks or interdependencies requiring escalation. * Maintains a strong understanding of the priorities of ARD leaders and demonstrates the ability to speak to and recommend strategies to advance those priorities. * Supports senior leaders in evaluating strategic priorities, resource implications, and success metrics. * Ensures alignment between departmental/unit plans and institutional-level strategies. * Conducts benchmarking, landscape scans, and stakeholder interviews to inform strategic decisions. * Analyzes internal data to assess current state and identify opportunities for improvement or growth. * Develops presentations and reports that communicate complex findings and recommendations in a clear and actionable way. * Coordinates meetings, retreats, and workshops with leaders, staff, and external partners. * Builds relationships across departments to foster alignment and collaboration. * Contributes to change management efforts through communications, training, and engagement strategies. * Brings a strong project management mindset, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and deliver results on time. * Communicates effectively in written and verbal formats, with experience preparing materials for executive audiences. * Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail. * Tracks progress, conducts analysis, and prepares for and facilitates project meetings to ensure departmental objectives are met. * Serves as a resource for the project team, providing analytical guidance and interpreting complex project issues to support informed decision-making. * Works somewhat independently to develop detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports. Assembles and leads a project team, assigns individual responsibilities, identifies appropriate resources needed, and develops schedules to ensure timely completion of projects. * Is responsible for tracking progress, conducting analysis, as well as preparing for and facilitating project meetings. * Performs other related duties 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: * -- Preferred Qualifications Education: * Bachelor's or advanced degree. Experience: * A minimum of five years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar field. * A minimum of one year of experience developing and monitoring budgets. * A minimum of one year of experience managing staff or leading project teams. 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 Phoenix (the University's Donor Relationship Management System). * Proficient in Microsoft Windows computer environment, 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. * Thoroughly review and accurately complete tasks, ensuring that all aspects of work are meticulously checked, and errors are minimized. Consistently produces high-quality work with careful consideration of all details, contributing to the overall success of projects. * Correctly enter and audit information, appropriately using reports to access, understand, and share information. * Synthesize information with a high degree of quality, developing key messages from large sets of detailed quantitative and qualitative information to tell a cohesive story. * Develop and execute on a long-term plan, while balancing short term unexpected priorities. * Strong document design skills. Develop documents and presentations that meet University brand standards and deliver key messages effectively. * Remain steadfast and adaptable in the face of challenges and setbacks. Maintains focus and determination, effectively managing stress and pressure while continuing to pursue goals and objectives with a positive attitude. Demonstrates perseverance in overcoming obstacles, contributing to sustained success and growth. * Builds positive relationships, communicates empathetically, and resolves conflicts with sensitivity and tact. Leverages emotional awareness to enhance teamwork, leadership, and overall workplace harmony. * Self-motivatws 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 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 Family Administration & Management 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 $89,250.00 - $105,000.00 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. Posting Statement The 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. 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