Director, Councils and Volunteer Engagement

Department

BSD DEV - Events & Outreach

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 has deep knowledge and expertise within Alumni Relations and leads a program designed to engage the alumni community worldwide, increase participation, and advance the objectives of the Alumni Associations, the broader University and divisional alumni initiatives. Researches, executes, and implements best practices in alumni relationship management. Works with the Alumni Board of Governors to create and implement guidelines to govern shared interest groups.

Responsibilities

• The Director of Councils and Volunteer Engagement (Director) will serve as the lead representative for all Medicine and Biological Sciences Development (MBSD) Leadership Volunteer Councils. This role is responsible for ensuring effective communications, fostering strong relationships, and facilitating productive collaboration between the Councils and various institutional stakeholders. The Director will manage board and committee meetings, lead strategic planning efforts, and ensure that the members of the Councils are well-informed about critical organizational developments and priorities.
• The Director will be charged with elevating the current volunteer ecosystem for MBSD by developing and implementing best practice solutions to create efficiencies and alignment. They will lead the development of a comprehensive volunteer management program that includes the oversight of the Division of the Biological Sciences and Pritzker School of Medicine (Advisory) Council and the affiliated delegate councils for different UChicago Medicine service lines/program areas.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of council mission statements, goals, and member expectations, and implement necessary changes to strengthen alignment and ensure the adoption of best practices.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the Chief of Staff and senior leadership team on Council engagement opportunities and in bridging Council priorities with the institution’s long-term goals and initiatives.
• Liaise with the office of the Dean, Division of the Biological Sciences and the Pritzker School of Medicine to ensure pertinent messaging for his bi-annual presentations to the Advisory Council.
• Proactively engage with internal stakeholders to stay informed about organizational priorities and strategic initiatives of relevance to Council members.
• Establish an optimized meeting cadence for Councils and committees. Plan and execute all Council meetings including strategic agenda planning, selection and preparation of speakers, and development and execution of meeting materials and communications.
• Manage the nomination, recruitment, orientation, term renewal, end-of-term rotation, and general engagement of leadership volunteers, ensuring they are meeting the expectations of their role and enjoying their experience.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Council leaders (Chairs, etc.), providing timely updates, responding to their inquiries, preparing them for meetings and partnering with them on goal setting.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for all leadership volunteers, creating meaningful relationships and ensuring a high level of engagement and interest.
• Ensure regular and meaningful communication with Council members; develop, implement, and oversee communication strategy to ensure tailored updates for each Council commensurate with their participation level.
• Collaborate with MBSD colleagues to provide the Council members with comprehensive and accurate communications, presentations, reports, and data that are of the highest quality and deliver pertinent information in a timely fashion.
• The Director is responsible for managing the activities of the MBSD Volunteer Engagement team, including overseeing the operating budget and supervising 1 employees. They will hire, onboard, manage, and evaluate the performance of direct reports.
• Leads and coordinates the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. Creates a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Leads strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.
• Performs other related work as needed.
  
  

Education

Minimum Qualifications

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

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Experience

• A minimum of seven years of full-time professional experience in development or related field.
• Comprehensive skills in managing volunteer membership boards/advisory councils.
• Demonstrated experience in working with senior leadership, high-net worth individuals, and/or faculty members in a healthcare or academic setting.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline driven, highly collaborative environment and a demonstrated experience working with and through internal and external partners.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion, tact, and attention to detail and following data policies.
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and experience in a campaign.
• Willingness and ability to attend meetings and events outside of business hours.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Office Environment (hybrid schedule).
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (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

$100,000.00 - $140,000.00

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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