Laboratory Schools: Assistant Director of Operations, Stewardship and Communications

About the Department

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Lab) offers students in Nursery through Grade 12 a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey, Lab is a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and innovation in the classroom, while students benefit from unparalleled resources and partnerships with the University of Chicago.

Lab’s mission prioritizes curiosity, inquiry, creativity, diversity, and kindness. Today, 53-59% of Lab’s student body are students of color, and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages at home. Approximately 60% of families are affiliated with the University of Chicago, with half residing in Hyde Park and the rest from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value, celebrating every facet of community members’ identities and fostering respect and civility.

Lab seeks employees who thrive in an educational environment, share a love of learning, and are committed to collaboration, growth, and positive relationships. Through its connection to the University, Lab provides unique benefits and opportunities for professional development.

About the Role

The Assistant Director of Operations, Stewardship and Communications provides high-level strategic, administrative, and project support for alumni relations and development efforts at the Laboratory Schools. This role advances team priorities and annual fundraising goals by coordinating donor stewardship, alumni engagement, volunteer activities, and cultivation efforts. It also manages communications, including donor acknowledgments, stewardship reports, presentations, and other correspondence. The position maintains accurate constituent and donor records using systems like Salesforce and PowerSchool, analyzes fundraising and engagement data, and supports events, workflow improvements, and office management.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic, administrative, and project support for alumni relations and development, managing assigned activities and advancing team priorities.
• Coordinates and supports fundraising, stewardship, alumni engagement, cultivation, and volunteer activities to meet annual goals and long-term campaign success.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors, alumni, volunteers, advisory council members, and other key constituents; responds to inquiries and supports engagement strategies.
• Drafts, edits, and manages correspondence and materials, including donor acknowledgments, annual stewardship reports, leadership communications, presentations, briefing materials, and solicitation/support documents.
• Manages record-keeping within Lab ARD, including proficiency in Salesforce, PowerSchool, and other platforms to maintain accurate constituent and donor records, track giving history, fulfill report requests, and ensure data integrity.
• Analyzes and interprets fundraising and engagement data; prepares reports, dashboards, spreadsheets, graphs, charts, and presentations to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Supports gift administration by preparing gift documentation, coordinating with Lab Finance and central Advancement gift processing, tracking pledge and fund activity, and assisting with stewardship reporting.
• Assists with prospect research and fundraising strategy by gathering background information, identifying prospective donors or sponsors, and preparing solicitation, grant, and campaign materials.
• Partners to plan, coordinate, and execute meetings and events, including donor cultivation events, appreciation activities, advisory council meetings, staff meetings, and annual giving efforts; manages logistics, vendors, and collaboration with campus partners.
• Develops, documents, and improves procedures, workflows, and operational practices to enhance team effectiveness, cross-departmental coordination, and compliance with institutional policies.
• Participates in professional development to strengthen job knowledge, institutional partnerships, and advancement best practices.
• Proofreads written materials for external audiences.
• Assists the Director of ARD with scheduling meetings within ARD, the University, and the broader Laboratory Schools community.
• Supports office functions, including filing documents, managing expense and travel reports, and monitoring budgets.
• Assesses, analyzes, and evaluates fundraising programs, specialized projects, or major events.
• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits major prospects, designing strategies for participation.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

• College or university degree in a related field.
• 5-7 years of work experience in a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Superior written communication skills.
• Ability to create and execute annual strategic plans.
• Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, develop rapport, and collaborate effectively.
• Experience handling multiple tasks under strict deadlines in a fast-paced office environment.
• Background with fundraising databases and reporting tools.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid office environment with occasional nights, mornings, and weekends for events.
• Travel to campus for Lab Schools business.
• Work evenings, early mornings, and weekends as required.

Pay

$63,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year.

Benefits

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Additional information can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.