Assistant Director of Development, Institute Climate and Sustainable

Department

ADV Climate and Sustainable Growth

The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement raises $600 million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) advances the University of Chicago’s commitment to confronting the global climate challenge through rigorous research, education, and engagement that drive scalable, market‑based solutions. The IMSG development team partners with faculty and university leadership to secure philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and organizations that share this mission. Together, they accelerate research on markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy and technology, as well as support innovative educational programs that prepare future leaders in climate and sustainability.

The Development team leads efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in close collaboration with colleagues across Advancement. Through strategic outreach, targeted engagement opportunities, and high‑level events, the team deepens relationships with supporters and expands the visibility of IMSG’s work within the University community and beyond.

The Assistant Director supports the execution of a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy that advances the Institute’s mission. Working closely with the Director of Development and colleagues across Advancement, this role helps implement programs to meet contributed income goals, develop and strengthen relationships with alumni, friends, faculty, administrators, and organizations with philanthropic potential, and execute communication, engagement, cultivation and stewardship efforts that deepen support for IMSG priorities.

This position implements programs designed to meet fundraising goals for contributed income with moderate guidance, builds relationships with alumni, faculty, administrators and organizations with potential to make gifts, and executes communication strategies for projects.

The Assistant Director manages and supports a range of high‑level fundraising and engagement initiatives, including prospect and campaign tracking, donor communications, alumni engagement, stewardship activities, and major fundraising projects. In addition, the Assistant Director supports the IMSG Alumni Group and helps coordinate events such as advisory group meetings, institute convenings, and other engagement opportunities that connect alumni, partners, and key stakeholders to IMSG’s mission and impact.

• Supports the Director of Development in all aspects of IMSG fundraising strategy and execution, and provides strategic planning support to the Director and IMSG team.
• Manages and tracks the status of IMSG campaign initiatives, including maintaining prospect lists, updating case statements, and preparing high‑level overviews of campaign priorities.
• Prepares and maintains up‑to‑date materials that capture IMSG priorities, including case statements, proposals, and presentation decks for use by the Director, Faculty Director and other leaders.
• Assists with prospect development and portfolio management, including qualifications, developing giving opportunities, and coordinating with internal partners to move gifts forward.
• Collaborates with colleagues across the University to identify, research and track new prospects for IMSG priorities.
• Manages the stewardship and acknowledgment process for gifts to IMSG, working with the Director, faculty and unit administrators to ensure timely and meaningful follow‑up.
• Contributes to special appeals and giving day campaigns by working with the communications team to develop targeted content that highlights IMSG impact and opportunities for support.
• Works with the Director to manage the IMSG Alumni Group and engage alumni active in the climate and…