Assistant Director of Advancement
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Assistant Director of Advancement
College of Fine and Applied Arts
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Based in Urbana-Champaign with hybrid opportunities
The College of Fine and Applied Arts is dedicated to the advancement, practice, and understanding of the arts. The central focus of the college is the synergy between research and the preparation of students for professional careers in the creation and interpretation of the environmental, visual, and performing arts. Deeply related to that focus is the commitment to elevate and sustain the study of the arts as both a necessary mode of understanding and a vibrant expression of human experience within the local, national, and international communities.
Organizational Relationship
The Assistant Director of Advancement reports to the Senior Director for Advancement and will work closely with advancement colleagues, the Heads of the departments and members of the faculty. The primary responsibility of this role is to secure private leadership annual giving (LAG) support from the college’s alumni and patrons of its premier public presenting and exhibiting institutions, such as the Krannert Art Museum, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and Japan House. The Assistant Director of Advancement will play a critical role to maximize overall support and opportunities for collaborative giving and serve as a member of the advancement team in the College.
Job Summary
This position will assist the College and its departments in designing strategies to broaden and strengthen advancement activities and leadership annual giving with donors through digital and/or print communications, phone calls, video conferencing (Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, etc.) and in-person meetings. The position will also be responsible for the advancement efforts with the “I ❤️ The Arts” student philanthropy program, young alumni fundraising, and crowdfunding initiatives. The position will require some travel of varying durations and locations, up to 25%, including some evenings and weekends. The successful candidate will be a collaborative team member who values inclusion and is skilled at building strong internal and external collaborative relationships.
Impact in Your First Year
At Advancement at Illinois, we value our employees and provide resources to help you continually learn and grow. We foster a strong, collaborative community of people who are driven by their ability to make a difference.
Within 3 months, you’ll:
Within 6 months, you’ll:
By the end of the first year, you’ll:
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of two years of successful advancement experience or three years of experience in a closely related field which requires strong relationship-building and outcome-driven components.
• Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
Preferred Qualifications
• Documented success as a fundraiser
• Experience fundraising in higher education or in the arts
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with others in a professional environment.
• Demonstrated ability to represent an organization in meetings with key constituents
• Strong relationship building and management skills
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity. The budget salary range is $65,000 - $70,000.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on April 14, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu site will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Zsayla Brummett, at zbrummet@illinois.edu and/or visit our How To Apply site for application tips. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Please note: This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1035397
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu