Associate Director, Alumni Programs (Undergraduate Reunions and Graduate Alumni Engagement)

Rice University•Houston, TX

35d•Hybrid

About The Position

Rice University is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and relationship-driven professional to join the Alumni Relations team within the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) division as Associate Director, Alumni Relations (Undergraduate Reunions and Graduate Alumni Engagement). This pivotal role focuses on deepening alumni connections by overseeing the development, planning, and execution of milestone undergraduate reunion programming, and building a comprehensive graduate alumni engagement program. Reporting to the Senior Director, Alumni Programs, the Associate Director will play a key role in fostering lifelong relationships between Rice and its alumni through dynamic programming and volunteer engagement. In collaboration with the Annual Giving team, this position will lead a comprehensive annual undergraduate reunion engagement plan, including overseeing milestone class year events. This role will also collaborate with university partners and academic schools to build, grow, and enrich the graduate alumni experience through developing distinctive engagement pathways and industry affinity. The Associate Director will be instrumental in strengthening the lifelong bond between Rice and its alumni through creative event programming, volunteer cultivation, and collaboration with the Annual Giving team and academic schools. The ideal candidate is a strategic, self-motivated professional with a positive attitude and strong relationship-building skills. They should have the ability to manage multiple priorities, demonstrate innovation in programming, and work collaboratively across campus and with external partners to create impactful experiences for Rice alumni.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Two or more (2+) years of professional experience in alumni relations, development, or a related field
Proven track record of creative program implementation
Proven track record building relationships and developing strategic partnerships
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedule
Adept at problem-solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, with a focus on strategy and relationship building
Strong attention to detail
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent relationship skills and client service orientation
Ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred
3+ years of professional experience in alumni relations, development, or a related field
Experience working in nonprofit/higher education settings
Experience using Blackbaud CRM or similar alumni/donor database system

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic planning and execution of annual milestone undergraduate reunion class programming, including outreach strategies, volunteer coordination, and creative event delivery
Develop, implement, and execute a comprehensive graduate alumni engagement strategy that reflects the unique interests and needs of the Rice University graduate alumni community
Recruit, manage, and support volunteer leaders and alumni committees to encourage participation and increase engagement
Collaborate with the Annual Giving team, academic schools, and campus partners to deliver events and experiences that align with institutional goals and alumni needs
Contribute to cross-functional Development and Alumni Relations initiatives and foster a culture of deeper alumni engagement around class year affinity and graduate programs
Manage an Assistant Director, Alumni Programs
Perform all other duties as assigned
Prepare special analyses or ad-hoc reports as requested

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