Department

ISAC: Development

About the Department

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures was founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and was originally envisaged as a research laboratory for the investigation of the early human career that would trace humankind’s progress from the most ancient days of West Asia and North Africa. The goal of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is to be the world’s leading center for the study of the ancient civilizations of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and significant empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum was opened to the public in 1931. The majority of ISAC's collections are from its expeditions in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A major reinstallation of the Museum, including the construction of a climate-controlled wing for housing collections and archives, took place in the 1990s and early 2000s. A complete renovation of the Museum was completed in 2019 in celebration of ISAC's centennial. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is a unit within the University of Chicago and the name of the corporation is 'The University of Chicago.' The corporation was originally incorporated on September 10, 1890.

Job Summary

The Membership & Annual Giving Associate will be a key member of ISAC’s Development & Membership team, supporting ISAC’s immediate and long-term growth and success. This position will play an important role in support of capital gift campaigns, annual giving and other priorities.

The job provides professional support for assigned development activities with instruction from others. Executes fundraising projects, cultivation programs for prospective donors and for visiting committees.

This position will collaborate closely with the Director of Development, senior ISAC leadership, and volunteer leadership to develop and achieve ambitious yet achievable annual fundraising, proposal/solicitation and visit goals.

Responsibilities

• Processes donor gifts and membership fees, including daily/weekly acceptance and review of revenue and contributions via various platforms.

• Manages donor recognition and stewardship, including management of the acknowledgement process for all gifts, and other recognition such as physical signage and print/online/social media publications, etc. Helps ensure meeting goals and timeframes for effective acknowledgement process and general donor relations and stewardship.

• Manages Membership program activities, communications and activity calendars – including regular renewal cycles, Membership records and accounts, and produces recurring communications to Breasted Society members, donors, and others in an established cadence.

• Supports high-touch valued donor relations communications and cultivation matrix, with weekly updates for the Team and senior leadership.

• Works with the Director of Development and Assistant Director of Development, executes Development and Membership direct mailings, including giving society programs, and ISAC fundraising campaigns for Giving Tuesday and UChicago Giving Day.

• Supports Development’s relationships with annual donors and Advisory Council members across all annual giving levels.

• Coordinates team and project/program calendars, aligning key events with ISAC leadership and stakeholder calendars.

• Collaborates with Development & Membership team, creates fundraising communications: writes appeal letters, develop briefings, and contributes to proposals; creates and oversees content for print and digital publications; ISAC website; and related projects.

• Collaborates with Development team, senior leadership, and volunteers to plan, produce, implement and staff ISAC Member and donor-related events.

• Supports important Development projects with complex budgets, such as travel events.

• Utilizes new and developing technologies for development applications (e.g. DonorBox, Thankview, Phoenix AI, ChatGPT, video conferencing, collaborative documents, etc.).

• Plans, organizes, and coordinates assigned fundraising programs and projects. Identifies budget requirements and staffing needs on a project or event basis.

• Drafts informational and marketing materials for review for assigned programs. Assists in developing support materials for specific fundraising activities.

• Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors and volunteers. Establishes and maintains donor records and accounts.

• Performs other related work 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 < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience.

• Experience working with the public and professional colleagues.

• Experience working with volunteer leadership and/or Board members.

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 through the UChicago Office of Advancement, including the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Demonstrated skill using Excel/spreadsheets.

• Demonstrated project management experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.

• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.

• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

• Work collaboratively in a team setting.

• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

• High self-motivation and the ability to take initiative and responsibility.

• Knowledge of and affinity for history, archaeology, and museums.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule.

• Standard office environment.

• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.

• Occasional evening and weekend work required.

• This position is located at 1155 E. 58th St in Hyde Park.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$26.50 - $29.50

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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