Laboratory Schools: Associate Director of Development Communications

Department

Lab School Alumni Relations & Development

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary

The Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) department at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Lab) is recruiting talented and energetic advancement professionals at an exciting moment in the Schools’ history. Alumni and Parents are proud to be affiliated with the 127-year school and eager to support its world-class programs through philanthropic investment.

The Associate Director of Development Communications will consult on the strategy, project management, and implementation of Lab’s department-wide engagement and fundraising communications to parents and families, alumni, faculty and staff, and donors. The Associate Director will collaborate across the Lab ARD office, the Lab Communications office, and the Central ARD department to maximize the impact for all public facing written, print, and digital communication that serve the Laboratory Schools’ philanthropy, stewardship, and community engagement goals.

The Associate Director will report to the Director of Alumni Relations & Development in Lab’s ARD department and participate in planning and departmental meetings, accept assignments, and perform other ARD duties and special projects as assigned.

A successful candidate for this role will have demonstrated success in direct mail, telephone, and social media fundraising. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, curious, enthusiastic, and will help build a broad understanding of Lab’s philanthropic value to donors and prospective donors.

Responsibilities

• Act as project manager and editorial lead on all Lab ARD communications, from project kick-offs to execution.

• Supports Lab’s efforts in the University of Chicago Giving Day program. 

• Consultas as a strategic thought partner for communication deliverables including, but not limited to, emails, letters, print collateral, social media, digital content, remarks, presentations, and storytelling pieces.

• Serves as departmental copywriting lead, providing copy generation and/or editorial support to all members of ARD department.

• Partners with Lab Communications and fellow ARD colleagues to develop effective marketing strategies and implements efficient project management. 

• Identifies opportunities to leverage technology and emerging strategies to meet annual giving goals.

• Provides an elevated level of partnership to the Director of Alumni Relations & Development. 

• Develop systems to maintain communication and editorial consistency across ARD.

• Manage an ARD communications calendar, helping to streamline and organize communication efforts across team members..

• Liaise with Lab Communications team to create content and strategies that serve ARD and the Schools’ missions.

• Work with Lab ARD to identify new storytelling opportunities.

• Act as project lead for all ucls.uchicago.edu/giving website content.

• Works closely with the special events team in the development of recognition on an annual basis. Acts as a resource for other units regarding fundraising and engagement activities.

• Has full authority to develop communication strategies for publications related to donors and volunteers.

• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience: 

• A minimum of 3 years in philanthropic leadership in independent schools, higher education, or other not-for-profit organizations. Candidates with business marketing or sales backgrounds will be considered.

• Experience with fundraising databases and reporting tools such as Blackbaud products or Salesforce.

Preferred Competencies

• Meeting and exceeding Lab Schools annual giving goals.

• Efficient with time and money spent.

• Proficiency with databases and network-based environments.

• Proven desire for continuing education to acquire the latest in industry best practices.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to analyze processes and plan improvement initiatives.

• Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Works on own initiative, develops rapport, and works well with others.

• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately under deadlines.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.

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

• Work evenings and weekends on occasion.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• Professional References Contact Information (3) (required)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

24

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$41,725.80 - $54,000.00

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.

 

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.