Assistant Director, Principal Gifts Stewardship, Stewardship Reporting

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Department ADV Principal Gifts Stewardship Reporting About the Department The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement 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 Stewardship and Events team within the Office of Advancement oversees and implements best practices in outstanding donor engagement, stewardship, and events, creating exemplary experiences that cultivate lasting relationships with our alumni, donors, and friends. Job Summary This role assists in the development and implementation of programs to support central principal gifts stewardship and engagement to enrich the relationship between principal gift donors, donors who have cumulatively given $10M and above, and the University. The position performs a range of professional activities related to the donor relations program to enrich the relationship between donors and the University, with a moderate level of guidance. Coordinates communication strategies for publications related to donors and volunteers, acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills. Responsibilities Contributes to the overall success of the comprehensive stewardship program to recognize, steward, and develop meaningful experiences for principal gift donors across the University. Assists in the creation and deployment of annual narrative and financial reports, demonstrating donor impact through informative and engaging stewardship reports. Develops, writes, and manages ad hoc donor reporting or writing projects. Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with colleagues across the University, particularly with the Advancement Communications team, campus partners, and relationship managers to closely partner on donor relations programs. Maintains thorough and timely records, and tracks stewardship activity through proficient use of the University’s relationship database, Salesforce. Demonstrates a fundamental understanding within the areas of recognition, acknowledgements, donor engagement, and stewardship reporting. Assists in guiding the development and execution of University-wide standards on appropriate ways to recognize and steward the University’s most generous donors. Facilitates the education and training of colleagues on policies and best practices through a variety of communication tools and vehicles, including written information, presentations, and staff training. Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions. Attends and participates in team, departmental, and all-staff meetings. Collaborates with others to create, plan, and implement annual leadership recognition, opportunities, vehicles, and events while building knowledge of the University and processes. Discusses contract terms with vendors, draft thank you letters, and perform other responsibilities and assist with vital projects through use of expanded knowledge and experience in the area. Performs other related duties as needed or requested. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s or advanced degree in non-profit management, business, project management, journalism, or communications. Experience: A minimum of two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations or similar professional work . Familiarity with higher education advancement. Background managing complex projects. 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 Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System. Proficient in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, especially Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Working knowledge of fundraising, relationship management, and database software. Analyze, manipulate, and apply data from Excel. Preferred Competencies Outstanding interpersonal, diplomatic, and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, write, edit and proofread effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply. Demonstrates customer (donor/fundraiser) focus with mastery of customer service skills. Manage confidential information with discretion and tact. Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting. Self-motivated and take initiative. Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail. Passionate about development work and a genuine interest in the ongoing affairs of the University and higher education. 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. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization. ? 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 $65,875.00 - $77,500.00 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. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Gary , Assistant Director, Principal Gifts Stewardship, Stewardship Reporting, Administration, Clerical , Chicago, Indiana