Oriental Institute: Development
About the OI: The Oriental Institute (OI) of the University of Chicago is a leading interdisciplinary research center for the ancient Middle East. Since its founding in 1919 – a time when the Middle East was called the Orient – the work of the OI has assumed an extraordinary array of forms. We conduct definitive fieldwork projects that shape archaeology, and we discover ancient settlements and their landscapes through state-of-the-art satellite and digital imaging methods. Our linguistic research furthers the decipherment of ancient languages, and we produce dictionaries that serve as cultural encyclopedias for understanding ancient civilizations. We record, document, and preserve imperiled cultural heritage. The OI Museum (OIM), which opened to the public in 1931, houses the largest collections of artifacts from the ancient Middle East in the United States, with more than 350,000 artifacts excavated primarily by OI archaeologists. The OIM collections also include a comprehensive archive that documents our fieldwork and other research. Together, these collections comprise one of the best resources in the work for the ancient Middle East, allowing us to understand, reveal, and protect the past. About ARD at UChicago Alumni Relations & Development (ARD) engages alumni (~190k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional, and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $550 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.
Reporting to the Director of Development and working collaboratively with colleagues across the OI and in central ARD, the Assistant Director of Development & Membership provides essential support to the overall OI Development program. Primary responsibilities include executing fundraising projects with instruction from others; managing cultivation and stewardship programs for current and prospective donors, members, and the OI Advisory Council; managing reporting and data management processes; and coordinating Development team schedules.

• Coordinate the planning and execution of engagement opportunities to cultivate and steward key donors to the Oriental Institute. Liaise with OI and University colleagues on event production as necessary and implement industry best-practices.
• Support stewardship of relationships with a portfolio of annual donors and Advisory Council members across all annual giving levels to deepen relationships and further their philanthropic investment in the OI.
• Manage primary stewardship of OI members and membership programming, in consultation with Director of Development and the Associate Director of Communications, Programming, and Marketing. Oversee membership solicitations and renewal process, supported by/partnering with the Development and Events Associate.
• Provide broad support to a variety of development activities including: preparation of leadership briefings; coordination of proposal writing; and, collaborating with the OI Director’s executive assistant, scheduling and managing logistics for meetings with prospective/existing donors.
• With guidance from the Director of Development, manage the planning and execution of OI Advisory Council events, including strategic engagement, cultivation, and stewardship events, and the Council’s regular business meetings.
• Analyze and synthesize data to prepare reports on program performance across all gift levels and identify potential prospects, acting as a power user for Oriental Institute and University database systems.
• Ensure appropriate 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.
• Administer the OI annual direct mail and giving society programs as well as other giving opportunities throughout the year; maintain the distribution lists for, create and send recurring communications to key OI donors in alignment with established cadence.
• Ensure timely gift processing, including daily/weekly acceptance and review of donations via various platforms.
• Manage Development team and project/program calendars.
• Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Plans somewhat complex activities of volunteer and support groups. Recruits members and provides guidance and support to leadership activities.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors and volunteers. Establishes and maintains donor records and accounts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum 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.

• Nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, membership services/support, or similar work.
• Experience with fundraising, contact management or other similar database software.
• Moderate/high level of experience in drafting informational and development materials for review for assigned programs.
• Experience planning and executing events.

• Excellent organizational and task-management skills.
• Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up.
• An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write well.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Ability to work in a busy and diverse setting and manage multiple activities and priorities.
• 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 fundraising/contact management programs and the Microsoft Office suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

• Office environment: onsite work required during first 30 days, with option of adopting a hybrid work schedule with approval of supervisor. OI’s policy currently in pilot phase allows for up to 2 days remote work per week and is subject to change.
• Willingness and ability to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends.

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three professional references (required)

Alumni Relations & Development
Individual Contributor
Exempt
Monthly
37.5
Yes
No
No
No