Senior Development Associate, Principal Gifts

Posted:
5/12/2026, 1:44:30 AM

Location(s):
Illinois, United States ⋅ Chicago, Illinois, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Finance & Banking

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

Department

BSD DEV - Principal Gifts 1


About the Department

Medicine and Biological Sciences Development’s mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy at the University of Chicago Medicine by building relationships with those who share its goals of advancing excellence in research, education, community, and patient care. We accomplish this mission through expertise, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.


Job Summary

The job implements programs designed to meet fundraising goals for contributed income with moderate guidance. Helps build relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts at the instruction of others. Executes communication strategies for projects.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for performing complex and diverse responsibilities in support of fundraising goals for Medicine & Biological Sciences Development (MBSD).

  • As a Secondary Moves Manager they will facilitate, organize, and execute fundraising and stewardship activities for the Senior Associate Vice President and Senior Director, Principal Gifts.

  • Manages logistics and prepares strategic interactions aimed at qualifying, soliciting and stewarding the medical center’s highest level (principal gift) donors and prospects.

  • Accountable for driving strategy and next steps following visits and faculty meetings.

  • Facilitates internal meetings and fundraiser visits with current and prospective donors to advance prospect strategy.

  • Understands and remains current on institutional priorities, programs, events, engagement opportunities and has a general understanding of the diverse research priorities of the University and UC Medicine

  • Prepares briefing documents to prepare participants in cultivation, solicitation, and recognition visits.

  • Writes briefings, proposals and a broad spectrum of fundraising materials created for specific audiences such as a donor or prospective donor, family foundation, corporation, or volunteer solicitor in order to support and help achieve their team’s annual fundraising goal.

  • Drafts acknowledgements, special greetings, letters for cultivation purposes, and a high volume of messaging for others’ signatures including but not limited to the Senior Associate Vice President, the Senior Director, Principal Gifts, and other executive level staff and faculty members.

  • Acts as a project manager for proposals and other written documents, and coordinates with the Marketing and Communications team.

  • Assist with managing a portfolio of faculty members for the purpose of advancing prospect relationships and identifying funding opportunities.

  • Supports the management of portfolios of donors who are in stewardship for existing principal gifts.

  • Coordinates recognition and stewardship with the Donor Relations team.

  • Performs basic prospect research that informs briefings, strategy, proposals and solicitations.

  • Collaborates with Prospect Development team on defining the need for in-depth research and negotiating the timeline for such research.

  • Utilizes and keeps up to date a donor database to prospective donor activity and interests.

  • Assists in raising $25M+ in new gifts and pledges.

  • Supports the qualification of  4+ PG prospects each year.

  • Build relationships with a variety of different individuals within the University in the assigned divisions and departments of those who make charitable gifts.

  • Works with others to maximize prospective donor cultivation.

  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. (Required)


Work Experience:

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


Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

  • A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in development or a related field, such as public relations, sales, marketing, or a not-for-profit organization.

  • Experience in a university setting or a similarly complex institution.

  • Familiarity with database applications.

Preferred Competencies

  • 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 Development and Alumni Relations, including the Alumni Development Database System Griffin, a Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Active Planner.

  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write well with a strong commitment to customer service.

  • Excellent organizational skills, and a high degree of flexibility and initiative.

  • Familiarity with the resources available via the Internet.

  • An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative.

  • Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with a team of highly motivated individuals.

  • Familiarity with The University of Chicago.

Working Conditions

  • Office Environment (hybrid schedule).

  • Ability to travel and attend evening and weekend functions when necessary.

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)

  • Cover Letter (required)


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


Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development


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

$65,000.00 - $80,000.00

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.  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.

 

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