The University of Chicago is a global leader in education, research, and innovation, known for rigorous inquiry, intellectual debate, and ideas that shape the world. From its home on Chicago’s South Side to an international presence spanning Paris, Delhi, and Beijing, the University brings together scholars, students, and partners committed to discovery and meaningful impact.

University Advancement builds lifelong connections with more than 220,000 alumni, students, parents, and friends worldwide while generating philanthropic support across the institution. With the Chicago Minds campaign underway, Advancement seeks to raise more than $1 billion annually to fuel discovery and expand UChicago’s global impact.

The Opportunity

The University of Chicago seeks an entrepreneurial, growth-minded Executive Director, Annual Giving Channel Fundraising to help reimagine how one of the world’s leading universities builds a lifelong culture of philanthropy.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Communications, the Executive Director will lead strategy and execution for a comprehensive, multi-channel direct response program, with particular emphasis on donor retention, acquisition, and pipeline development.

This leader will partner with Directors of Development across the University, use data and donor behavior to inform strategy, and help build a more unified annual-giving identity across a complex, decentralized institution. The Executive Director will also mentor and grow a talented team, bringing both deep annual giving expertise and an appetite for experimentation. The role arrives alongside the Chicago Minds campaign and the recent rollout of the Chicago Fund, the University’s first cross-institutional annual fund.

For a leader energized by the challenge facing annual giving across higher education, this is an opportunity to test new ideas at scale and help shape how UChicago inspires lasting philanthropic engagement.

The anticipated salary for this position is $144,500–$170,000.