Director for Alumni Engagement

Job Description:

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director for Alumni Engagement is responsible for creating impactful programming and opportunities for alumni, parents, and friends to learn, volunteer, and connect with the College as part of engagement efforts.

The Director for Alumni Engagement is charged with meeting yearly goals for alumni engagement, as well as overseeing related events, communications, and programs. The position also plays a role in meeting yearly performance measures tied to the College's strategic plan and constituent engagement model.


Primary responsibilities include designing and implementing strategies to sustain and strengthen alumni engagement and volunteerism among alumni, parents and friends and building and strengthening current and future relationships among alumni. The Director is responsible for alumni relations and is the primary liaison with the Alumni Council and its associated committees. All of these responsibilities fall within the College's constituent engagement model where the Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Management and Marketing divisions collaborate to engage individuals and groups with the College and its students at each phase of their life under the leadership of the Executive Vice President of Constituent Engagement.


Specific Responsibilities

Comprehensive Alumni Engagement Responsibilities: (80%)

• Develop, coordinate, and evaluate volunteer initiatives that promote alumni engagement through guest lecturing, volunteer opportunities, mentorship, etc.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement meaningful, beneficial, and creative in-person and virtual programming that strengthens alumni relationships with students, faculty, and staff. The events and activities include, but are not limited to: Alumni Reunion Weekend, Homecoming, Green and Gold events, Alumni Chapter events, and WMC Heritage Society activities. The position collaborates with the Department of Athletics on the Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
• Partner with the AVP for Constituent Engagement on constituent engagement events and activities.
• Establish effective partnerships on and off campus to support alumni engagement, collaborating with key areas such as Admissions, Athletics, Academic and Campus Life, and others.
• Develop, sustain, and strengthen alumni chapters, which focus on establishing and maintaining regional connections to the College.
• Lead, in collaboration with the institutional advancement team, the marketing and communication team and the AVP for Constituent Engagement, programs and communications that engage alumni through multiple channels, including digital platforms and the website.
• In coordination with the communications team, develop and execute an alumni communications plan, which may include alumni-focused newsletters, speaking opportunities, and social media outreach.
• Coordinate with communications staff on article needs for The Hill magazine, monthly alumni e-newsletters and other communications; work with staff to provide information on alumni for the "Class Notes" section; Ensure that verbal promises to alumni for interviews, features, etc. are being kept in a timely fashion.
• Develop short-term and long-term strategies to increase alumni volunteerism, communications and meaningful experiences that lead to increased philanthropy and engagement.
• Manage the Alumni Council, WMC Heritage Society, and other affiliated committee volunteers. Organize their meeting agendas and topics with the volunteer leadership. Meet regularly with the Alumni Council Executive Committee and key alumni volunteer leaders via their committees. Develop and implement an Alumni Council recruitment plan. Communicate effectively with these volunteer leaders for ongoing engagement.
• Manage the Green and Gold Ambassadors in coordination with the gift officers responsible for athletics fundraising.
• Oversee the Student Alumni Council (SAC) student engagement, coordinate SAC and student philanthropy with the Director for Annual Giving.
• Coordinate alumni volunteer efforts with MyDesign and MyCareer efforts tied to career mentoring and advising with the College's Center for Experience and Opportunity (CEO).
• Oversee alumni volunteer and engagement recognition efforts (Alumni Awards process; Hall of Fame induction process); Seek ways to recognize alumni volunteers through CASE and other professional associations.
• Responsible for creation and implementation of annual alumni engagement event and communications plans.
• Work with staff to utilize Raiser's Edge to create event registrations, track guest lists, and maintain key information related to guests.
• Responsible for driving alumni engagement event revenue through event fees and sponsorships.
• Analyze data to assess impact of alumni engagement efforts; benchmark metrics periodically through HEDS Alumni Survey and other assessment tools.
• Manage the alumni travel program to engage alumni through domestic and/or international travel as alumni groups or alumni groups with a faculty expert.
• Coordinate with the annual giving and development staffs on milestone reunion giving committees.
• Serves as a leader in the constituent engagement effort and a member of the constituent engagement leadership team.
• Coordinate constituent engagement events with the AVP for Constituent Engagement.

Supervision (20%)

• Supervise and mentor a team of three staff (three alumni engagement staff) including developing and maintaining job descriptions, planning and directing work, ensuring goal attainment, making hiring and disciplinary decisions, approving timesheets and conducting performance reviews.
• Develop professional development plans for staff to ensure that all staff acquire expert knowledge in alumni engagement.
• Serve on the Institutional Advancement Leadership Team; attend meetings.
• Oversees alumni engagement budgets.
• Attend Advancement and Alumni and Constituent Engagement events including nights and weekends as required.
• Represent McDaniel College at selected college and community events.

Information Security Role: Data User

• Follow the policies and procedures established by the appropriate Data Stewards.
• Comply with federal and state laws and regulations as well as College policies, procedures, and standards associated with the College computing resources and institutional data used.
• Use institutional data only as required for the conduct of college business within the scope of employment.
• Implement safeguards prescribed by appropriate Data Stewards for Limited Access and Restricted Data.
• Ensure the appropriateness, accuracy, and timeliness of institutional data used for the conduct of college business.
• Report any unauthorized access, data misuse, or data quality issues to the appropriate Data Steward for remediation.
• Accept and complete the confidentiality statement yearly if access includes Restricted data.
• Report any suspected data breach to the CIO and the IT Help Desk as soon as possible.

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates will hold a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus six to eight years of relevant professional experience. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Scrupulous accuracy and attention to detail, as well as the ability to exercise sound independent judgment, following established protocols and procedures.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple and diverse stakeholders to create and implement events, communications, policies and procedures, and plans.
• Knowledge of fundraising and how it interplays with alumni engagement is preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities and meet deadlines. Experience with large scale event planning required.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including excellent oral and face-to-face communication skills as well as the ability to consistently produce concise, professionally written communications; ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization, including trustees and executive leadership.
• Strong research skills and drive to problem solve. Effective time management, planning and organizational skills are essential.
• Must possess tact, diplomacy, maturity, and discretion in handling highly confidential matters.
• Excellent computer skills including database management experience; experience with Microsoft Office and Raiser's Edge highly desirable.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends to support programming and events as required.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from various communities and cultures.
• Experience and ability to manage and supervise staff effectively.
• Local and out of state travel limited but required.
• Must have valid driver's license with two points or less.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely working in a normal office environment with minimal exposure to adverse conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

Physical Characteristics

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Viewing a computer screen for long periods of times.
• Lifting involved but not more than 25 pounds at a time.

Additional Information:

McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics.



Application Instructions:

Completed applications must include a cover letter addressing position qualifications and related experience, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will be open until filled.

Please click the Apply Now button below to begin your application.