Advancement Specialist I

Utah State University•Logan, UT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The College of Arts & Sciences at Utah State University seeks a highly organized and proactive Advancement Specialist I to lead and manage the college’s alumni engagement and volunteer relations efforts. This position plays a key leadership role in managing the advancement board and subcommittees—including the Arts Advancement Council—while developing new, strategic alumni programs that foster long-term connection and support for the college. Working closely with the Advancement Events & Operations Coordinator, Development Officers, University Advancement, and the College Dean’s Office, this role will oversee board committee operations, drive alumni engagement strategy, and play a key role in donor stewardship and event coordination. This role requires a high level of professionalism through direct engagement with top university donors and academic administrators. This position is based in Logan, Utah, with occasional travel, evening, and weekend hours required.

Requirements

Four (4) years of relevant experience OR a combination of education and experience (e.g., 2 years’ experience + 2 years education).
Valid Utah driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles to travel for events or donor meetings.
Availability to work evenings and weekends for performances, exhibitions, and receptions.
Strong communication and writing skills, including proposals and reports.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with CRM systems, event platforms, or scholarship tools (e.g., Scholarship Universe) is a plus.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines.
Discretion with confidential information and the ability to build trust with donors and stakeholders.
Creative problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with arts-related or higher education advancement and events.
Familiarity with USU systems or advancement operations in a university setting.
Demonstrated success in alumni relations or volunteer management.
Budget and event planning experience.
Experience supervising student workers, interns, or volunteers.

Responsibilities

Board & Volunteer Management (40%) Provide strategic leadership and oversight for advancement-related boards and subcommittees, including the Arts Advancement Council. Serve as the main liaison between the college and board members, leading monthly communication, planning quarterly meetings, and follow-up. Ensure fundraising initiatives align with college advancement priorities, guide subcommittee chairs, and facilitate collaboration. Manage board involvement and engagement outcomes to guide future planning and improvements, Including board member attendance at meetings, annual giving requirements, connector meetings, term limits, and member charter expectations. Ensuring board members abide by the by-laws for each board Identify and onboard new high-level board and committee members who can support the college’s mission.
Event Planning & Alumni Relations (35%) Lead the creation and implementation of new alumni programs that cultivate lifelong engagement and support. For Example: Collaborate with passionate alumni to create the Aggie Medical Network supporting Pre-Med students with mentorship opportunities with current Aggie med-school students and alumni working in the medical field. Independently plan, promote, and execute local and national advancement events such as donor receptions, alumni gatherings, theatrical performances, concerts, etc. Oversee and manage local and out of state event logistics including venue booking, catering, contracts, A/V, registration, staffing, and follow-up. Develop and implement targeted alumni engagement strategies in collaboration with University Advancement, focusing on increasing alumni engagement, volunteerism, and philanthropic support. Evaluate event outcomes and alumni engagement metrics to inform strategic planning, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with college advancement goals. Collaborate with the Strategic Enrollment & Management Team to develop an industry relations / corporate engagement strategy for the College of Arts and Sciences to grow internship and experiential learning opportunities for students through alumni connections.
Communications & Operations Support (25%) Manage and regularly update advancement and alumni content on the college website to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with messaging goals. Collaborate with the college’s marketing team and project managers to increase visibility of local and national advancement events. Collects and analyzes data; captures post-event data and evaluates event ROI; prepares scheduled and special reports; maintains records and statistical information related to the college’s advancement efforts. Create and implement new processes tracking when alumni return to campus and a nomination and selection process for distinguished alumni recognition. Manage purchasing and budget tracking for advancement and alumni relations activities within the college.