Job Description

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

School of Information Sciences

Director of Advancement

The School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications and nominations for a full-time Director of Advancement. The Director of Advancement will secure private support for funding priorities and implement an integrated approach for impact and mission-driven priorities within the iSchool as determined by the Dean, and Assistant Dean for Advancement.

The iSchool at Illinois makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals through teaching, research, and public engagement. Our mission is to lead the way in understanding the use of information in science, culture, society, commerce, and the diverse activities of our daily lives. We engage in inclusive community partnerships, working beyond geographic boundaries to benefit the social good. We believe in the power of information to change the world. For more information about iSchool, visit ischool.illinois.edu .

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Advancement reports to the Assistant Dean for Advancement and works closely with advancement colleagues, unit heads, faculty, and staff throughout the school and the university. The primary responsibility is to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more in support of the school.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, evaluate, and design strategies for prospects and donors, creating important connection between donors’ philanthropic interests and the school’s programmatic and curricular goals. Plan and implement targeted outreach and cultivation activities to strengthen prospect identification and move forward solicitation and stewardship processes. Manage and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects, with a focus on gifts of $25,000 or more, and determine the appropriate frequency of contact needed. Document all activities and interactions in the alumni/donor database. (50%)
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff to build strong knowledge of the iSchool’s academic and research programs. Use this understanding to identify and define funding priorities that align with private support opportunities. Attend faculty meetings, departmental alumni activities, and appropriate events to further build connections. Partner closely with other advancement colleagues, including individual and corporate gift officers and alumni relations, stewardship, and donor relations professionals. (15%)
• Determine and prioritize lists of donor prospects, alumni, and other stakeholders to be contacted for personal visits. (20%)
• Prepare and educate faculty and other unit volunteers to participate in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts as needed. (10%)
• Other duties as assigned. (5%)

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 school.
• Become embedded in your assigned academic departments/programs.
• Meet your assigned Prospect Development Analyst and begin getting acquainted with your portfolio.
• Attend professional development and networking activities for newcomers within Advancement.
• Be introduced to fundraising fundamentals terminology adopted from Plus Delta Partners.

Within 6 months, you’ll:

• Begin cultivating relationships with key prospects/donors/alumni to create and implement solicitation strategies.
• Partner with colleagues working in stewardship and donor relations, events, alumni relations, and communications on unit-wide initiatives.
• Be able to share multiple meaningful impact stories of transformative gifts.

By the end of the first year, you’ll:

• Cooperatively set annual goals with your supervisor and portfolio management team
• Continue portfolio growth of qualified prospects and successful solicitation strategies.
• Receive one-on-one coaching from the People and Culture team to help transition into your new role.
• Build a robust network of colleagues across campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in advancement, fundraising, or a closely related field involving donor engagement, stewardship or relationship management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Documented success as a major and/or principal gift fundraiser and as a direct supervisor or manager.
• Advancement experience in an academic unit that produces degrees and conducts rigorous academic research.
• Advancement experience in Corporate and Foundation Relations.
• Experience working with academic leaders, faculty, and staff and demonstrated experience in teaching and engaging them directly with prospects and donors.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and/or fundraising campaign planning in higher education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Superb oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with an emphasis on engaged, active listening.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization in visits with key constituents.
• Understanding of major donor prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Knowledge of advancement strategies including best practices related to development at institutions of higher education.

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional Director of Advancement position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $82,000 to $99,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Hybrid work options may be available for this position after an initial training period, but with the requirement that onsite availability may be needed at any time with short notice. This position requires travel (30-50%) including some evenings and weekends.

Out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver’s License or state of Illinois ID Card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Work authorization is not available for this position.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES & DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 2nd, 2025 . Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting, and upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names and contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your application materials, including all relevant experiences. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.

For further information regarding this specific position, please email . For questions regarding the application system, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits .

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing .

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