Director of Alumni Relations

NEIU•Chicago, IL

1d•$90,000 - $98,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Alumni Relations provides strategic leadership for all alumni engagement initiatives, serving as the chief liaison between the University and its 90,000+ alumni. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director works collaboratively across the institution to build loyalty, institutional pride, and meaningful connections that support NEIU's mission and philanthropic goals. The Director will be responsible for carrying out a comprehensive three-year strategic plan for the Office of Alumni Relations, while having the flexibility to add to it and adjust approaches as needed. In this role, you'll lead a dedicated team, build on established foundations, and bring fresh energy and ideas to alumni programming.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in alumni relations, event management, fundraising, or related fields
Three (3) or more years of supervisory experience
Demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate with diverse groups of faculty, staff, students, administrators, board members, volunteers, and external stakeholders
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, including the ability to articulate and enthusiastically convey organizational mission, values, and goals
Proficient knowledge of the fundraising cycle, especially the role of alumni relations in this process
Proficiency in utilizing customer relationship management (CRM) software platforms
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to responsibly manage operational budgets
Ability to provide strategic thought leadership in annual planning processes
Creativity, initiative, and strong problem-solving skills
A healthy sense of humor

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or advanced degree
Additional certifications or credentials in related field, such as CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive)
Experience in higher education or a comparably complex organization
Multilingual ability (Spanish language strongly preferred)

Responsibilities

Provide visionary direction and creative leadership for the Office of Alumni Relations.
Develop and execute annual plans using data-informed strategies and tactics that drive measurable outcomes.
Advise the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and leadership team on alumni engagement opportunities and progress.
Provide strategic counsel and reporting to the University President and Cabinet, Board of Trustees, NEIU Foundation Board, and other key stakeholders.
Re-establish and provide ongoing leadership for the NEIU Alumni Advisory Board, coordinating mutually determined goals and objectives.
Serve as the primary liaison between the University and NEIU alumni.
Design and implement innovative alumni programs including affinity groups, NEIU Alumni Association membership initiatives, and regional engagement strategies.
Develop programs that attract, engage, and connect alumni of all ages and backgrounds.
Ensure alumni engagement plans serve all three NEIU campus locations: Main Campus (Albany Park), El Centro (Avondale), and Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (Bronzeville).
Steward, evaluate, and grow NEIU Alumni Association membership.
Lead a team in planning and executing signature alumni events including: Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, NEIU Homecoming, Alumni member stewardship events, Athletic alumni reunions, Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) programs, Class Gift initiatives, and Alumni engagement outings to local events.
Support major University events including Commencement, Amplify | Elevate, Academic Honors, Chuck Kane Scholarship Golf Outing, Giving Tuesday, Proud to be NEIU Day, and Golden Eagle Welcome Day.
Conduct post-event analyses to measure outcomes and inform future planning.
Cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and University leadership.
Partner closely with campus units including Enrollment Management, Career Development, Student Leadership Development, Student Union Events and Conference Services, Marketing and Communications, Academic Colleges and Departments, and Government Relations.
Coordinate alumni advocacy efforts and communications with the Office of Government Relations.
Serve as a senior leader and key thought partner within the Division of Institutional Advancement.
Foster cooperative relationships that align Alumni Relations efforts with broader institutional strategic goals.
Develop and implement multi-channel communication strategies to keep alumni informed and engaged.
Create compelling content for in-person activities, speeches, online platforms, email campaigns, social media, web presence, and printed materials.
Articulate and enthusiastically convey NEIU's mission, values, achievements, and priorities.
Work collaboratively with the Vice President and the Development team to support annual funding goals.
Identify and cultivate high-achieving alumni for philanthropic support and volunteer leadership.
Support major gifts outreach through strategic relationship-building from the Alumni Relations perspective.
Engage alumni through the Alumni Awards program and other recognition opportunities.
Support Institutional Advancement-led fundraising events / initiatives across the institution.
Maintain accurate alumni records in the CRM (Raiser's Edge NXT) to track engagement, giving, and participation.
Make data-informed decisions and recommendations for future planning.
Provide sound financial planning and budgetary oversight for Alumni Relations’ state budget as well as Alumni Relations’ funds within the NEIU Foundation.
Maintain accurate financial records and follow University and Foundation protocols for contracts, purchases, and reporting.
Supervise and mentor two direct reports.
Manage at least one student worker position (Work-Study and/or NEIU Alumni Association resources).
Provide team-building, engagement, and professional development opportunities.
Build and encourage staff pursuits while fostering a collaborative, energetic team culture.
Pursue appropriate professional development opportunities for yourself and your team to stay current with best practices and industry trends.
Perform other duties critical to the Division's or University's progress as approved by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
Travel as needed for alumni events and relationship cultivation with key alumni stakeholders.