Associate Director of Engagement

Colby College•Colby, KS

19d

About The Position

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement, the associate director of engagement is an essential member of the Alumni and Donor Engagement team in College Advancement. The primary focus of the Engagement team is to increase alumni engagement with Colby through investments of time, talent, and ultimately, philanthropic support for the College. As part of an overall portfolio of work focused on engagement efforts with our Colby community, the associate director will develop a comprehensive understanding of the many ways in which alumni, families, and friends rely upon and can contribute to the College and use that knowledge to build upon an already successful suite of engagement strategies and tactics (encompassing events, communications, volunteer management, and participation in annual giving). Specific focus areas for the position will include, but may not be limited to, working closely with regional alumni volunteers to revitalize Colby’s regional alumni clubs network and activities through volunteer management, program planning, and event execution, as well as managing Advancement-driven programs for alumni, families, and donors on Colby’s Island Campus through program planning and event execution. Additional responsibilities may include, but not be limited to, developing affinity cohorts and programming; liaising with on-campus centers, institutes, and labs; and working with colleagues in Advancement and across campus to produce virtual engagement content.

Requirements

Valid Driver’s license required, and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy Requirements.
Must be available and willing to travel occasionally for work (approx. 5–8 times a year), and to work hours outside the typical work day (i.e., nights and weekends)
Strong, self-motivated work ethic; flexibility; and proven capability to work both independently and collaboratively; has a results-driven philosophy with the ability to problem-solve.
Customer-service oriented mindset
Candidates must thrive in a fast-paced office environment; candidates must have an entrepreneurial spirit and a positive attitude.
Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
A minimum of 3-5 years of volunteer and/or program/event management experience or transferable skills.
High level of digital fluency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and database management.
Ability to quickly learn and integrate new technical platforms into daily operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with event planning is preferred.
Experience with project management is preferred; official project management certification is not required
Proficiency with fundraising/constituent relations databases and technology is preferred
Experience with a customer relationship management (CRM) system and email marketing software is a plus.
Ability to inspire and motivate individuals and groups in support of broader mission and goals

Responsibilities

Contribute to an overarching engagement strategy and subsequently execute events, communications, volunteer management, and other projects in support of that strategy and engagement goals.
Recruit and manage volunteers, establish volunteer structures, promote awareness and attendance through peer and other outreach efforts, and create clear pathways for alumni to participate in volunteer and leadership activities.
Support the Colby Alumni Council and its subcommittees by attending meetings, partnering with Council members on projects, taking minutes, and other related activities.
Help develop new and engaging experiences aligned with alumni interests and their affinity for the College, as well as fundraising priorities.
Coordinate and attend alumni, family, and friends event programming (virtual and in-person, on-campus and off-campus), including Homecoming, regional events, and Reunion. May include event planning, RSVP management, and event marketing materials; will always include collaboration with the Advancement Events and Marketing/Communications teams.
Develop, often in partnership with the Advancement Marketing and Communications team, cohort-based communications, updates to content on the Advancement website, etc.
Routinely gather and analyze data to assess program and communications effectiveness at increasing engagement and, ultimately, support of the Colby Fund.
Manage an assigned portfolio of engagement prospects through ongoing communication, as well as in-person and virtual meetings, with an expectation that those prospects, when appropriate, also get solicited for the Colby Fund each year.
Assist with participation-level giving campaigns to drive support for the Colby Fund through management of the assigned portfolio and outreach to unassigned prospects.
Serve as a visible, accessible representative of alumni engagement on campus and as a point of contact for alumni inquiries as needed.
Develop supportive partnerships with staff and faculty across campus as needed, including the Campus Events, Facilities, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, DavisConnects Career Center, Department of Athletics, and Office of Campus Life; enhance opportunities for alumni to advance the goals and aspirations of these departments and the students they serve.
Maintain highly professional standards and procedures for engagement programming, in keeping with the College's image and reputation.