Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Engagement

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

Aurora University seeks a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Engagement to expand philanthropic support for the University’s mission and priorities. A strategic relationship-builder, the director will manage a dynamic portfolio of alumni, parents, friends, and other University constituents, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding meaningful philanthropic partnerships with a focus on securing major gifts of $25,000 and above.

The ideal candidate thrives in a goal-oriented, highly collaborative environment and is energized by the opportunity to advance student success, academic programs, and other University priorities while helping shape the future of a student-centered, Hispanic-Serving Institution with deep regional roots and growing relevance. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, the Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Engagement will work closely with colleagues across Advancement and the broader University community to strengthen donor engagement and grow philanthropic investments.

• Core Competencies:
• Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
• Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is to empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of donors and prospects with a primary focus on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $25,000 and up.
• Build and advance meaningful donor relationships through proactive outreach, personal visits, and consistent and strategic engagements that advance relationships and support fundraising goals.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect, including the creation of briefing materials, proposals, and customized engagement plans.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, academic leaders, and campus partners to align donor interests with university priorities and ensure effective stewardship.
• Meet or exceed established annual fundraising goals and performance metrics, including donor visits and meaningful contacts, solicitations, and philanthropic commitments.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, strategies, and proposals in the Advancement CRM system.
• Represent the university at donor events and campus activities.
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments, along with travel approximately 30% of the time, are required to cultivate key relationships and represent the university at signature events.

Essential Job Requirements:

• Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of at least two years of demonstrated successful fundraising experience with individual donors, preferably in an academic environment, or closely aligned professional experience.
• Must understand and articulate the mission of Aurora University and the case for its support.
• Proven track record for successful personal solicitations or in sales is desired.
• Understanding of planned giving is desired.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other CRM preferred.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.