Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $23.68 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The assistant director of alumni engagement builds alumni networks and crafts strategic connections for an identified set of regional and affinity-based alumni groups. Regionally-based activity is centered on major markets throughout the United States. The assistant director will develop relationships with individual alumni in their assigned chapters/ regions and qualify them as potential leadership annual, special, or major gift prospects. The assistant director will partner with development officers to assist with cultivation and stewardship efforts for individual alumni donors and prospects and play a supporting role in solicitations to increase philanthropic attainment and the universitys alumni participation rate. The assistant director is a part of the alumni engagement team in Office of Alumni Relations and reports to the director of alumni engagement and board operations. This team connects our 110,000+ alumni to each other and back to the university.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate programs and projects to promote Alumni Relations through regional networks. Work with the director and other assistant directors to plan and execute regional strategic plans for each fiscal year, emphasizing university-wide collaboration. Create a community for alumni living in assigned regions to strengthen their connection back to the university and make their connection to each other flourish. Develop new regional and affinity programs based on alumni interest and university priorities, with heavy emphasis on creating innovative digital networks and leveraging technology such as webinars, livestreaming, crowdfunding, and social media to motivate alumni, parents, and friends around the globe. Oversee applicable regional and engagement program budgets. Assist in the oversight and evaluation of the alumni engagement strategy using metrics and benchmarks that increase universitys alumni participation and philanthropic attainment; suggest revisions as needed and produce impact reports. Form strong relationships with members of the advancement team to effectively plan and execute strategy. Travel as needed. Complete documentation related to travel and vendor payments in a timely manner. (40%)
• In partnership with development officers, engage alumni board members, chapter leaders and other volunteers to qualify, cultivate, and steward individuals who have capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more to the university. Collaborate with development officers in the Offices of Annual and Special Giving and National Development and Major Gifts, as well as development officers in the schools/college to advance prospective donors toward a philanthropic solicitation. Support development officers stewardship efforts through face-to-face and digital engagement with prospects and donors. (30%)
• Manage regional volunteer leadership: Develop and maintain an efficient volunteer structure for assigned groups. Recruit and retain regional volunteers. Develop and deliver training through webinars and at The Alumni Associations Alumni Summit. Establish metrics and benchmarks and evaluate programs. Communicate with chapter leaders regularly in order to maintain positive working relationships. (15%)
• Manage marketing and communications for regional engagement: Leverage digital media and virtual communications to strengthen regional alumni engagement. Create content for and monitor regional social media pages. Manage all communications related to event promotion and follow-up by providing messaging, images, links, and information. Contribute content to alumni-related communication newsletters. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support initiatives to build affinity networks and volunteer programs. (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. Assist with major alumni engagement initiatives as needed. (<1%)

  CONTACTS

  Department: Daily contact with the associate vice president, director, and all alumni relations staff as required to perform essential functions.

  University: Contact with advancement services, university development staff, directors of administrative departments, and faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.

  External: Contact with outside vendors and consultants; contact with alumni chapter leaders and donors.

  Students: Contact with undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as required.

  SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

  No direct supervisory responsibility.

  QUALIFICATIONS

  Experience: 3 or more years related professional work experience.

  Education: Bachelors degree required.

  REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Experience in alumni relations, public service or other relationship-critical area preferred.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Solid analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to complete projects on time and on budget, and report on status and progress.
  • High degree of energy, organization, creativity, flexibility, and adaptability.
  • Team player who supports the goals of the department and the universitys initiatives.
  • Ability to interact with and relate to various internal and external constituencies. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
  • Available to work outside of regular office hours as required. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
  • Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
  • Ability to demonstrate history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
  • Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

  WORKING CONDITIONS

  General office environment. Occasional evening and weekend work hours required. Occasional travel outside of the greater Cleveland area will be required.

  Hybrid Eligibility

  This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

  EEO Statement

  Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

  Reasonable Accommodations

  Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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