Based in Urbana-Champaign, IL with hybrid opportunities

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (OVCIA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a full-time constituent engagement professional integral to the success of our international advancement operation.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global, preeminent university. Since its founding in 1867, it has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. In 2022, the University successfully completed its most ambitious philanthropic campaign, “With Illinois,” raising $2.7 billion during the eight-year campaign and remains resolute towards its future philanthropic efforts. Developing a robust international fundraising operation to support the growth and success of the university-wide advancement community is critical towards fulfilling the University’s Boldy Illinois strategic plan and future fundraising campaign goals.

Organization Relationship

The Assistant Director/Associate Director of International Constituent Engagement reports to the Senior Director of International Advancement and works in support of the Director of International Advancement.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director/Associate Director of International Constituent Engagement is an integral part of the international advancement team and will have broad responsibilities related to the University’s comprehensive fundraising and engagement program in the international advancement area. Primarily, this position works to develop, implement, and manage overall international advancement activities in support of and in coordination with the Senior Director and Director to advance efforts in engaging with international major and principal gift prospects and donors. The successful candidate will be a collaborative team member who values inclusion and innovation and is skilled at building strong internal and external collaborative relationships.

This position will be based in Urbana-Champaign, and will join a successful, dynamic team that enjoys a hybrid work schedule.

Duties & Responsibilities

Cultivation and Stewardship

• Develop, implement, and manage overall international advancement activities in support of and in coordination with the Senior Director and Director.
• Serve as overall liaison with colleges and units related to international visitors to campus, ensuring high-level cultivation plans are properly executed.
• Organize data and prepare regular reports on international activities, metrics, and outcomes for various campus constituencies, including deans and chief advancement officers.
• Provide additional support for select administrators and faculty traveling internationally for advancement purposes.
• Prepare background information for major gift proposals, compile donor/prospect information, and support international trip preparation and follow-up.
• Liaison to international-assigned prospect researcher and other University of Illinois Foundation staff as applicable.
• Maintain confidential and accurate records of interactions with alumni and constituents in the University of Illinois database (TED).
• Opportunities for limited frontline fundraising work may be available depending upon candidate qualifications.

Constituent Engagement and Events

• Assist with organizing and executing international advancement events targeting alumni and donor prospects.
• Coordinate with the Senior Director and Director, campus special events office, UIF events office, advancement colleagues in colleges and units, and other related offices on campus regarding international events logistics.
• Collaborate with international advancement team to develop plans for alumni engagement.

Communications

• Work closely with the Senior Director and Director and the campus communications teams to prepare internal and external internal and external communications related to international advancement.
• Provide support for social media as appropriate, advocating for an international presence throughout the university channel.

Volunteer Engagement

• Liaise with international alumni clubs in coordination with campus alumni relations colleagues.
• Support the Senior Director and Director in keeping international alumni club members apprised of relevant information, determining agendas for meetings with club leaders, and ensuring proper follow-up.

Impact in Your First Year

At Advancement at Illinois, we value our employees and provide resources to help you continually learn and grow. We foster a strong, collaborative community of people who are driven by their ability to make a difference.

Within 3 months, you’ll:

• Become familiar with the strategic vision and priorities of the institution and various units across campus.
• Attend professional development and networking activities for newcomers within Advancement.
• Understand Illinois’ fundraising fundamentals and how those are operationalized in our CRM system.

Within 6 months, you’ll:

• Begin cultivating relationships with key volunteers/donors/alumni, and deepen those with unit and OVCIA colleagues, to create and implement constituent engagement strategies.
• Partner with annual giving, events, alumni relations, communications, major gift officers, and stewardship and donor relations colleagues on initiatives.

By the end of the first year, you’ll:

• Cooperatively set annual goals with your supervisor.
• Continue portfolio growth of constituent engagement strategies and activities.
• Receive one-on-one coaching from People & Culture to help your transition to your new role.
• Build a robust network of colleagues across campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• For the title of Assistant Director, a minimum of two years of experience in marketing/communications, event planning, outreach, project management, or a closely related field. For the title of Associate Director, a minimum of three years of experience in marketing/communications, event planning, outreach, project management, or a closely related field
• Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience living abroad, second language fluency
• Familiarity with advancement and alumni relations activities
• Global viewpoint and perspective

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and the ability to manage tight deadlines and multiple projects
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information
• Intellectual curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
• Detail oriented with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Willingness to contribute new ideas and perspectives
• Flexibility and willingness to alter plans as circumstances change
• Ability to interact with poise and diplomacy with internal and external constituencies
• Familiarity with large databases
• Ability to understand and adhere to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Donor Bill of Rights, which is endorsed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.  The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000 for the title of Assistant Director, and $75,000 to $85,000 for the title of Associate Director.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 7, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and addresses,  phone numbers of three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Zsayla Brummett at zbrummet@illiois.edu and/or visit our Application FAQs site for helpful resources. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

Please note: Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

The Illinois Advancement community is committed to an ongoing, proactive process to foster and achieve diversity and inclusion in its development, alumni relations and communication activities. We will respect and encourage different voices, perspectives and ideas as we strive to represent individuals of all backgrounds and cultures which incudes but are not limited to the following: nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, age and ability who represent our alumni, donors and friends of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY:

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a comprehensive and major public land-grant university (Doctoral/Research University-Extensive) that is ranked among the best in the world. Chartered in 1867, it provides undergraduate and graduate education in more than 150 fields of study, conducts theoretical and applied research, and provides public service to the state and the nation. It employs about 3,000 faculty members who serve over 33,000 undergraduates and 17,000 graduate and professional students. More information about the campus is available at www.illinois.edu.

The university is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana (total population 226,000) in east-central Illinois, and is situated about 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 170 northeast of St. Louis. The University and its surrounding communities offer a cultural and recreational environment ideally suited to the work of a major research institution. For more information about the community, visit: Living in Champaign-Urbana, Experience Champaign Urbana, or Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.

Health insurance is available to employees (with the option to purchase coverage for spouse and dependents), required participation in State Universities Retirement System (SURS), with several options for participation in additional retirement plans. Learn more about employee benefits at the University of Illinois. Newly hired employees are covered by the Medicare portion of Social Security and are subject to this deduction.

The University of Illinois has a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff:  Work-Life Balance & Family-Friendly Programs and  Other Work-Life Programs.

To apply, click here.