Research Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

About SAIC

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

The Advancement Office at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) plays a vital role in supporting the school’s mission to educate and empower the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Advancement partners strategically with internal and external stakeholders to build enduring relationships, secure philanthropic support and steward resources that enhance the student experience, fuel academic excellence and strengthen SAIC’s impact locally and globally.

The team leads a broad range of activities including fundraising, major and planned giving, advancement services and operations, alumni engagement and donor relations. By leveraging best-in-class systems, data insights and creative engagement strategies. Advancement ensures that SAIC can continue to provide world-class resources – from faulty support and scholarship funding to state-of-the-art facilities and innovative programs. Collaborations across departments, thoughtful stewardship and a commitment to community and creativity are at the heart of the office’s work.

Position Summary

Works closely with the Director of Advancement Services and Operations to execute the strategy for research and prospect management functions, in support of School's fundraising goals. This includes: research projects, screening verification, discovery of prospects, database management, project initiatives in conjunction with the Advancement Operations team, documentation of processes and updates, and training / collaboration with development staff.

Responsibilities

• Produces a comprehensive suite of research products that support the various fundraising initiatives undertaken by the President's Office and Development Team.
• Proactively identifies prospective donors through: data screenings, information from admissions office, registrar, news alerts, "best of" lists, and internal data mining projects.
• Partners with the Director to present these prospects at regular prospect meetings.
• Works with the Development and Advancement teams to conduct portfolio reviews, pipeline reviews, and other prospect management duties, under the purview of the Executive Director of Development.
• Supports Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Donor Relations, and Events as needed.
• Uses identification and research to engage and inform frontline fundraising staff, and to monitor their efforts in maximizing the use of that data in their fundraising efforts; i.e., identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Assists Advancement Operations Specialist in maintaining current and accurate biographical and prospect information in donor database.
• Manages the weekly news digest to support stewardship and cultivation outreach from gift officers for organizational leaders, top donors, and key prospects.
• Provides internal client support and training on the utilization of the donor database.
• Maintains trusted relations with vendors; manage subscriptions with the Museum, and coordinate electronic capacity screening projects and data clean-up.
• Evaluates tools and emerging technologies, and keep abreast of trends in the field of prospect research.
• Serves as a backup gift processor.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 1-2 years of prospect research experience or comparable experience.
• Experience managing projects and working across teams to accomplish a shared objective.
• Experience with CRM database(s) in a development capacity.
• Knowledge of data management skills including proficiency with spreadsheets and using Raiser’s Edge CRM or other similar databases/relational database software.
• Ability to work several events, including evenings and weekends, per year.
• Detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated worker who takes initiative.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with good attention to detail.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Familiarity with research resource materials consistent with APRA Advanced Skills Set.
• Understanding of Advancement operations as a functional area.
• Strong financial analysis skills to identify and interpret assets, individual wealth indicators, relationships among individuals, corporations and foundations philanthropic patterns.

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JbHMTqJFp49R3fjOigSafMimaO1N8uJFTxTTVAAX-Bk/edit?tab=t.0)

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• Benefits (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lXoRp-Na9GIG866vPauAI1vzijNlDKpBNKR8dtjyiWs/edit?tab=t.0)
• PTO Overview (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GubVe-8SeAE6MkMcCx6EWbYTQyUlOyiw_L8q4bRUOtg/edit?tab=t.0)
• Job Classification: Exempt
• Employment Category: Full time staff
• Grade Level: 7

If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment (http://artic.edu/employment) for complete information

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Union

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants (https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/ART1010AICH/JobBoard/d263cd2b-c4ef-4e10-8876-a2896406a573/Accessibility)

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu (mailto:apply_help@artic.edu).

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.