Alumni Relations Career Development Officer

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

50d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Economics is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven leader to lead alumni engagement efforts that strengthen ties to the department, expand student and alumni engagement opportunities, and support key initiatives. The Alumni Relations Career Development Officer (ARCDO) will provide alumni engagement and advancement support to the Economics Department. By directing department alumni communications, the ARCDO will keep our alumni and donors informed, connected, and engaged. The ARCDO will be responsible for planning and executing a variety of alumni events and initiatives, such as large-scale in-person gatherings, student-centered alumni relations, virtual livestreams, small-group networking and board meetings. Working closely with the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, the ARCDO will help grow alumni engagement support and advance the department's mission and strategic priorities. This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the continued success of a top public economics department. The successful candidate will combine strong leadership, strategic planning, collaboration and relationship-building skills to inspire alumni, donors and enhance student support in the Department of Economics. This position requires the ability to analyze donor trends, develop creative, impactful and innovative programs, manage high-profile events and oversee various forms/platforms of communications. Evening, weekend, and occasional regional or national travel are required. This position will be 100% time appointment with a hybrid work schedule. The specifics of the hybrid schedule will need to be determined in a conversation with the position's supervisor.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of professional work experience within higher education
Minimum of 2 years of experience overseeing engagement strategies and communications
Experience managing professional staff
Accuracy, attention to detail, and a customer service-oriented attitude
Minimum of 2 years of experience in planning events
Experience in higher education student career development/advising/programming
Ability to work collaboratively and be a team player
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal abilities, and the capacity to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of individuals
Proficient in the following areas: Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, as well as internet browsers and email platforms.
Bachelor's degree in business, communications, marketing, public relations or an appropriate area of specialization

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems
Previous work with Alumni Board - Board of Visitors
Master's Degree in business, communications, marketing, public relations, higher education administration or an appropriate area of specialization

Responsibilities

In coordination with the Director of Development, compose, respond, distribute and send all correspondence to alumni & donors.
Coordinate alumni speaker events.
Coordinate with Director of Development at UWF for all alumni and donor functions and campaigns.
Design and implement social media plans to enhance awareness of events, workshops and department awareness.
Plan and coordinate logistics and promotions for alumni and donor events locally and across the country as needed, at the chair's discretion.
Schedule, plan and communicate details for 2 EAB (Economics Alumni Board) meetings annually
Communicate important details about the department to EAB members throughout the year.
Create and deliver update of activities/progress presentation.
Schedule, plan and communicate details for 2 WEYAC (Wisconsin Economics Young Alumni Council) meetings annually.
Create and deliver Alumni/Career presentation.
Coordinate with WEYAC chair on initiatives to engage and connect with students (such as LinkedIn groups, WEYAC student networking process, summer networking events).
Supervise Career & Outreach Manager, program coordinator analyst and as necessary student workers
Help develop strategic framework for alumni/employer/student experiences
Create and send bi-annual alumni newsletter
Support administrative tasks including financial reconciliation, event planning and coordination, data collection and student communications to support the Career and Outreach Manager, Communications Manager and MS Program Managers.
Assist in the development and implementation of alumni relations goals and operating policies and procedures to promote alumni impact for student experiences and fundraising activities in alignment with the strategic plan.
Support student's career progression through delivering workshop and programs, engaging alumni, etc.
Co-facilitate student programs like Econ Engage, LEAD@Econ, Econ Elevate, etc.
Develop new programming based on alumni, employer, donor and student feedback.
Exercise hiring authority for positions under the supervisory organization's purview
Plans and leads the implementation of major alumni events, volunteer committees, and activities in alignment with strategic initiatives and objectives.
Serves as a unit liaison for internal and external stakeholders, answers questions, and provides information about established programs based on set material or standards.
Leads the development, production, and dissemination of communication and branding strategies and materials for the unit.
Identifies data trends, errors, and insufficient data; and reports variances according to established policies and procedures
Monitors, organizes, and updates donor records, and implements operating policies and procedures.
Plans, directs, and executes alumni visits and discovery calls, passing leads to the appropriate major gift officers to cultivate relationships to assist in achieving established donor goals.
Implement communication and branding campaigns as well as student-focused programs