Executive Director, Development

Department

Booth Advancement

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second‑oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline‑based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state‑of‑the‑art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:

• an unmatched faculty
• degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents
• a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni
• strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities

As part of the world‑renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas – the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Executive Director, Development is a senior leader responsible for shaping and driving the strategic direction of Chicago Booth’s Major Gifts and Annual Giving programs. This role guides the vision, strategy, and execution needed to strengthen donor engagement, grow the pipeline, and increase philanthropic investment in support of Booth’s mission and the University’s comprehensive campaign.

The Executive Director serves as a key partner to the CAO and supports Advancement’s work with the Dean, Deputy Deans, faculty, and Centers, helping articulate priorities and preparing academic leadership for donor meetings and solicitations. As a member of the senior leadership team and a contributing member of the Principal Gifts team, the Executive Director helps ensure alignment, coordination, and momentum across Booth’s fundraising efforts.

This leader manages a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of $1M+ gifts while overseeing a high‑performing frontline fundraising team and annual fund team. The Executive Director is responsible for developing coordinated annual and multi‑year fundraising plans, fostering a collaborative, data‑informed culture that empowers staff at all levels to succeed, and, in partnership with the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, market planning in primary and secondary markets.

• Leads the strategy, planning, and execution of Major Gifts and Annual Giving programs, focusing on gifts below $10 million, ensuring alignment with Booth priorities.
• Supports Booth Advancement and the CAO’s relationships with the Dean and faculty in developing fundraising priorities and preparing for donor engagements.
• Drives expansion of Chicago Booth’s donor pipeline in partnership with Alumni Engagement, Communications, Donor Relations, Prospect Management and Research, Events, and other internal teams leveraging volunteer leadership, reunion giving, and milestone‑based engagement strategies.
• Sets ambitious goals for the leadership annual giving, especially the Dean’s Society, reunion giving, and major gift programs, including gift officer activity to help support Booth’s fundraising targets.
• Strengthens a culture of philanthropy for new and existing donors at all levels, including the broad base of those giving below $2,500.
• Manages a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects capable of $1M+ gifts.
• Serves as a member of the Principal Gifts team, contributing to coordinated cultivation strategies for Booth’s…