Director of Alumni and Community Engagement

STEPHEN GAYNOR SCHOOL•New York, NY

1d•$85,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Alumni & Community Engagement is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen lifelong relationships between Stephen Gaynor School and its alumni, alumni families, and broader school community. Working closely with the Director of Institutional Advancement, this position will build a robust alumni engagement program that cultivates meaningful connections, identifies and stewards major gift prospects, expands alumni philanthropy, and establishes a foundation of prospects for a planned giving program that supports the long-term financial strength of the School. The Director will develop opportunities for alumni to remain engaged through volunteer leadership, networking, mentorship, and community-building initiatives while fostering a culture of giving among alumni and alumni parents. In addition, the Director will support key community engagement initiatives, including faculty and staff appreciation activities, commencement, and relationship-building with current blue cluster families as they progress through the Gaynor experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree required
Three to five years of development experience, preferably with a background in an educational alumni capacity
Strong understanding of alumni relations, annual giving, special events, and constituent relations
Event management and volunteer management experience
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse communities, including internal leadership and staff, families and outside professionals
High proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
Exceptional customer service and database system configuration skills
Highly organized and resourceful with sound judgment and a results-oriented mindset.
A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a passion for the mission of Stephen Gaynor School.
Project Management Experience
A commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive and diverse community.
Detailed-oriented with strong time management skills
Ability to work independently
Self-motivated, flexible, and able to work as part of a team
Organized with the ability to multitask
Must be thoughtful in approach to speaking to children with special needs
Must be able to maintain confidentiality

Nice To Haves

Masters degree preferred
Experience in an independent school or mission-driven nonprofit setting is preferred.
Veracross experience preferred

Responsibilities

Implement a comprehensive and evolving strategic plan for alumni engagement designed to strengthen lifelong relationships with Stephen Gaynor School.
Develop and execute a multi-year alumni engagement strategy aligned with the School's advancement priorities.
Build meaningful relationships with alumni across all graduating classes.
Develop initiatives that increase alumni participation, volunteerism, and philanthropic support.
Identify, qualify, and cultivate alumni and alumni parent major gift prospects.
Partner with the Director of Institutional Advancement to develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Establish a planned giving program targeted to alumni and alumni families.
Develop strategies to increase alumni participation in the Annual Fund.
Create meaningful stewardship opportunities that recognize and celebrate alumni generosity.
Expand alumni communications through newsletters, social media, digital storytelling, and targeted outreach.
Develop regional and virtual alumni engagement opportunities.
Recruit, train, and manage alumni volunteers and advisory committees.
Develop alumni affinity groups and professional networking opportunities.
Create mentorship opportunities connecting alumni with current students and recent graduates.
Build internship and career networking opportunities for Gaynor students through alumni partnerships.
Maintain accurate alumni records and engagement metrics within the school's database.
Analyze participation, giving trends, and engagement data to continually strengthen programming.
Collaborate with Admissions, Communications, and Academic Leadership to ensure alumni remain connected to the life of the School.
Coordinate and support Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week activities.
Assist in planning and executing Gaynor's Graduation and Commencement activities.
Serve as the Advancement Office liaison to Dark Blue Cluster families, helping to manage a graduation gift campaign, and developing meaningful relationships with parents as they enter the final year of their Gaynor experience.
Develop engagement opportunities that help prepare current families for future alumni involvement and philanthropy.
Partner with parent volunteers and school leadership on selected community-building initiatives.
Collaborate with colleagues on Annual Fund, major gifts, stewardship, and campaign initiatives.
Assist with donor cultivation events and alumni-focused fundraising opportunities.
Support Advancement communications and storytelling efforts highlighting alumni impact.
Represent the Advancement Office at school events, alumni programs, and community activities.
Participate in departmental planning and strategic initiatives.
Support advancement with parent events and donor recognition, cultivation and stewardship events.
Attend full faculty and staff meetings.
Willing to commit to anti-bias and anti-racism work and to promoting inclusion, belonging and equity through their work in the classroom and school community.
Ensure a commitment to the school’s DEI mission and goals by participating in continuous professional development for learning differences, anti-racism and anti-bias of all kinds.
Be an active member of the Gaynor community.
Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate.