POSITION SUMMARY:

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is the preeminent global, multidisciplinary real estate organization, facilitating the open exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experience among local, national, and international industry leaders and policymakers dedicated to shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. Structured as a 501(c)(3), nonprofit, member-driven research and education organization, the Institute has more than 45,000 global members representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, both in private enterprise and public service.

ULI uniquely benefits its members and their communities by leveraging members’ collective intellectual capital and diverse on-the-ground experience. Members include real estate developers, builders and owners, finance and investment professionals, auditors and accountants, brokers and consultants, attorneys, architects, engineers, urban planners, public officials, quasi-public economic development agency executives, and academics. For, and through, these diverse member constituents, ULI provides various educational programs, publications, forums and meetings, applied research, instructional modules, and advisory services.

In 1970, the Urban Land Institute Foundation (ULIF) was established as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit to support the research and programs of the Urban Land Institute. The Foundation encourages philanthropic giving among the Institute’s members and partners with the principal purpose to establish and build an endowment, and to provide ongoing financial support for ULI programs and initiatives. ULIF is committed to the stewardship of all philanthropic donations it receives.

The Foundation only raises funds for purposes that are in alignment with and support the Institute’s mission, business plan, priorities, and program of work worldwide. To this end, ULI has developed a governance structure and a set of policies and procedures that uphold transparency and accountability as core values. The business of the Foundation is managed by its board of directors. The future of ULI will focus on endowment building and concentrate on raising a permanent endowment fund to be used for the Institute’s impact-generating, mission-focused programs.

The Director of Digital Fundraising & Communications, working with the ULIF President and Membership & Marketing teams, is responsible for leading digital fundraising for the Annual Fund and creating fundraising messages and collateral, and stewardship communications in support of a full-scale fundraising effort for external audiences.

The focus on digital fundraising will primarily be geared toward the acquisition and retention of annual fund donors through online fundraising; the focus on digital development communications will be for middle- and major-level donors. Both foci will require a digital strategy using email, website promotions, and other digital channels. The Director of Digital Fundraising & Communications will also collaborate closely with marketing staff to ensure consistency with theme, brand, design, content, and delivery, following established ULI brand guidelines.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Development Writing (40%)

• Responsible for writing all stewardship materials, including quarterly digital newsletters for ULIF Chair/President for key leaders and major donor prospects; acknowledgment letters; and other collateral materials needed for fundraising and stewardship.
• Assist with writing, editing, and layout for proposals and stewardship reports.
• Work with ULIF staff; coordinate with team to understand annual/quarterly goals and deadlines for production. Key relationships include: Director of Advancement Services (for stewardship) and Senior Director for Foundation Relations.
• Work with program staff (CSEP, UrbanPlan, University Connections, Awards, Advisory Services, and DEI) to understand the program of work from which stewardship reports and fundraising messages will be generated.

2. Digital Fundraising (40%)

• Create a solicitation plan to increase overall participation of ULI members for the Annual Fund through digital platforms.
• Create messages for acquisition/retention, with a focus on message segmentation based on interests of membership and alignment with product councils.
• Work as a business partner with Membership & Marketing/IT to improve digital interface and online platform for donors through data-driven donation pages, donor portal, donation solicitations in social media, and the like. Develops and executes project timelines and action plans.

3. Department-wide Support (20%)

• Partner across the organization to create more opportunities for giving programs that create a value exchange to increase philanthropic gifts.
• Work as a part of the overall development team to execute strategies and achieve annual departmental goals and campaign goals.
• Work with ULIF staff; coordinate with team to understand annual/quarterly goals and deadlines for production. Key relationships include: Director of Advancement Services (for stewardship) and Senior Director for Foundation Relations.
• Work with program staff (CSEP, UrbanPlan, University Connections, Awards, Advisory Services, and DEI) to understand the program of work from which stewardship reports and fundraising messages will be generated.
• Work as a business partner with Membership & Marketing to improve digital interface and online platform for donors through data-driven donation pages, donor portal, donation solicitations in social media, and the like. Develops and executes project timelines and action plans.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Substantial experience writing (5-7 years) for development/fundraising, communications, media relations, or related field. Expert command of English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax.
• Outstanding writing, editing, and proofreading skills, including “ghost writing” ability.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in online/digital fund raising, direct response marketing campaigns, or related interactive customer relationship management.
• Understanding of branding and positioning strategies and how to use various communication channels.
• Comprehensive understanding of digital communications and interactive media.
• Experience with or understanding of nonprofit environments.
• Experience managing multiple projects, and effectively prioritizing them while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to analyze and interpret relevant data and use interpretations in the development of campaign models.
• Ability to initiate tasks and to work with minimal supervision in a high-production environment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of the team.
• Ability to adapt to changing tactics or strategies based on metric performance.
• Ability to travel as needed for donor or partner development meetings, ULI meetings, and events.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience.

• Additional grant writing and fundraising seminars/courses desired.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply, please follow the link below. Please submit a résumé and letter of interest.

ULI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=76dd43dd-5757-401e-9ef5-65813f73b552&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=403316&source=CC2&lang=en_US

EOE/m/f/d/v. No relocation reimbursement is offered at this time.