ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT AND PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

Job Description

Job Description

Bethany College

Lindsborg, Kansas

Bethany College

ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT AND PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

FLSA Status:

SALARY, EXEMPT

As an exempt employee, the employee may occasionally work beyond standard business hours (40 hours), including evenings and weekends, to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

Department: Strategic Engagement

Reports to: Vice President of Strategic Engagement

Positions Managed: None

Why Bethany:

Rooted in our Lutheran heritage and the transformative power of the liberal arts, Bethany prepares students to lead lives of purpose, leadership, creativity, and service in a complex and changing world. Located in Lindsborg, Kansas—affectionately known as "Little Sweden" and celebrated for its vibrant arts community—Bethany offers a close-knit environment where faculty and staff know students by name and mentor them in a highly personalized setting.

Education at Bethany is rooted in intellectual discovery and a deep sense of belonging, equipping students to think critically, lead ethically, and serve with purpose. As a small, private, rural college, Bethany plays an essential role in renewing civic life, expanding opportunity, and fostering community revitalization. We believe in the value of personalized liberal arts education, the power of community, and the promise of rural America.

At Bethany, you'll have the opportunity to inspire the next generation while contributing to the cultural and academic life of our campus and region as we prepare students to make meaningful contributions to the world.

At Bethany, you'll have the opportunity to inspire the next generation while contributing to the cultural and academic life of our campus and region as we prepare students to make meaningful contributions to the world.

About Bethany College:

Founded in 1881, Bethany College is a dynamic liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas—known as “Little Sweden U.S.A.” Bethany provides a transformative educational experience grounded in faith, learning, and community. The College is dedicated to cultivating leaders who serve and inspire through integrity, creativity, and purpose.

Position Overview:

This role is an on-campus, in-person, full-time position reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Engagement.

This role leads the strategy and execution of engagement and programs efforts for undergraduate students, recent graduates (0-10 years), and next-generation alumni (11-20 years), building a strong pipeline of future donors. A key component of this position will be overseeing all alumni events including: Swede Night Out, Alumni Giving Day, and various regional alumni events.

This role fosters lifelong philanthropic relationships through intentional cultivation, solicitation, and meaningful engagement opportunities. The position manages key volunteer groups, including the Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Board, to drive participation and annual giving. It also maintains a targeted portfolio of leadership-level prospects, executing personalized strategies to advance engagement and philanthropic support.

Working collaboratively with other members of the Advancement team, the role develops high-impact programs that connect constituents to the institution and its mission. The role leverages data-driven insights and multi-channel strategies to increase donor participation, volunteerism, and early philanthropic behaviors.

A successful Engagement & Programs Coordinator is enthusiastic about building community, creating memorable experiences, and fostering lifelong connections. They are highly organized, collaborative, proactive, and passionate about helping alumni remain engaged with the organization while supporting its mission and strategic goals.

Essential Functions:

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or provide relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

• Strategic Program Leadership & Pipeline Development: In collaboration with the Vice President of Strategic Engagement, develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to increase philanthropy from student, young alumni (0-10 years), and next-generation alumni (11-20 years). Design, execute, and optimize a series of annual programs and events that intentionally move constituents along the donor engagement continuum. Establish and monitor annual goals for participation (donor) and dollar growth, and pipeline development in collaboration with AGAR leadership. Use benchmarking, analytics, and industry best practices to continuously refine program effectiveness and ROI.

• Portfolio Management & Front-line Fundraising: Manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 leadership-level prospects drawn primarily from young alumni and next-generation cohorts. Develop and execute tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies in partnership with fundraising colleagues. Work with the Vice President and members of the team to identify and qualify new prospects through engagement activities, volunteer networks, and events.

• Manage Young Alumni Board (YAB) and Alumni Council: Recruit, train, and manage the YAB and the Alumni Council as a high-performing volunteer body focused on engagement, advocacy, and annual giving. Design and execute board meetings, strategic plans, and annual expectations aligned with DEA priorities. Coach YAB and Alumni Council members to serve as ambassadors, peer solicitors, and connectors to emerging leadership donors. Align with broader alumni volunteer structures.

• Engagement Programming & Campaign Activation: Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of signature student and young alumni programs, including Giving Day, the annual Scholarship Brunch, and Alumni Awards. Develop opportunities focused on networking, traditions, and philanthropy education while using innovative digital and in-person engagement strategies to increase participation and strengthen connections to Bethany College.

• Communications, Marketing & Digital Engagement: Collaborate with campus marketing to deliver targeted, multi-channel communications that resonate with younger audiences. Leverage social media, digital platforms, and peer-to-peer outreach to amplify engagement and giving, creating copy and assets if required. Provide strategic input on messaging, segmentation, and campaign execution for student and young alumni audiences. Manage the alumni social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

• Collaboration, Data & Operations: Partner across Advancement to align engagement efforts with broader fundraising priorities and donor strategies. Track, analyze, and report on key metrics including participation rates, donor retention, and pipeline progression. Manage program budgets, timelines, and logistics to ensure effective execution of all initiatives. Regularly update college leadership and advancement colleagues on efforts, making recommendations to support development and engagement goals.

• Support additional Advancement initiatives and special projects as assigned.

• The position requires regular evening or weekend work.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or provide relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree required
• A minimum of two years of professional work experience in one or more of the following: higher education, direct marketing, fundraising, alumni relations, volunteer management, or program management
• Professional work experience that requires written communication skills and production of mass marketing elements for large audiences
• Experience managing multiple projects with the goal of delivering on specific metrics
• Budget management experience
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or other project management tools
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and writing abilities
• Microsoft Office, computer knowledge, and knowledge of office equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, administration, and the community-at-large
• Ability to handle multiple projects/assignments concurrently and be very results-oriented
• Highly motivated and works well both independently and in a team environment

Preferred:

• Master's degree preferred; degree in Higher Education, Communications, Fundraising, or Program Management highly preferred
• Experience managing volunteer boards and/or committees of adult professionals
• Proven ability in building and managing alumni, volunteer, or event activity and plans that support fundraising goals
• Knowledge of Bethany College alumni constituencies and campus culture
• Direct fundraising/personal solicitation experience
• Experience with data visualization
• Experience with social media platforms and tools
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud or Canva
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus, or some knowledge of the Spanish language is a plus

• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across Bethany College and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies

• Strong written communication skills

• Strong customer service orientation

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions

• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills

• Ability to build warm, empathetic relationships with alumni and volunteers and collaborate well with colleagues while maintaining confidentiality and nuanced judgment

Working Conditions:

• Bend, squat, kneel

• Reach above shoulders

• Handle objects (dexterity)

• Push/pull

• Carry/lift 25 lbs.

• Sit for long periods of time

Must be available to work weekend and evening hours, including home athletic events, and occasional travel may be required.

Office-based with frequent walking across campus and standing during events.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans
• Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Tuition remission benefits
• Professional Development Funds
• Possible Relocation Assistance
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth
• Supportive, mission-driven community and a beautiful campus environment

How to Apply:

• Apply online at Employment
• Submit resume and cover letter

EEO:

Bethany College, an institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

This policy reflects Bethany College's mission to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. This commitment to equal employment opportunities strengthens our community and enhances our ability to fulfill our educational mission.