Director of Alumni Relations - MSUAASF Range D

Southwest Minnesota State University • Marshall, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Serve as an on-campus spokesperson for over 25,000 living alumni across the state, country and around the world and is the primary contact for the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Plans and hosts social, recreational, and networking events on campus and throughout the state and country to connect alumni, faculty, students, and friends of SMSU. Plans and manages the execution of the Gold College program to engage SMSU alumni and friends through relevant educational opportunities. Analyzes and assesses opportunities and weaknesses of alumni engagement and outreach programs and is able to implement changes to structure, processes, and people to improve performance. Develops new programs as needed to facilitate lifelong dialogue between the University and its Alumni to increase alumni engagement. Develops and monitors a regular annual budget for the Alumni Relations office that maximizes the impact of resources available and utilizes meaningful metrics to show the results of activity to internal and external stakeholders and is based on a larger multi-year plan to invest in these activities for the University. Supports the work of the SMSU Foundation to engage alumni and friends to actively contribute back to the University and manage personal relationships with a portfolio of 10 to 25 major gift donors and prospects. Creates and presents major gift fundraising proposals to prospects and donors. Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative relationships with University units, such as Admissions, Career Services, Athletics, Student Affairs and academic colleges and departments. Oversee the production and distribution of the FOCUS Magazine, regular email newsletters, website and social media content directed to alumni and friends of the University. Serve as the chair of the Homecoming committee to plan and support the execution of various events and activities during homecoming week each year. Must be able to manage multiple large and complex projects simultaneously. Many of the projects are considered high risk due to the importance of maintaining a strong supportive relationship with alumni and friends of the university.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of successful and progressive experience in a comparable role or a combination of related experience in alumni relations, marketing, mission advancement, communications, event management, or fundraising.
• Work experience must show the ability to serve as an expert on policies, procedures, and best practices for alumni engagement and outreach.
• Must have experience preparing, communicating, and tracking progress of a project or organizational budget or other mission critical operational outcomes and metrics.
• Written and oral communication skills and the ability to use common productivity software programs such as Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge alumni and donor database software or other alumni database management software.
• Experience managing a portfolio of donor prospects and creating/presenting donations proposals of $5,000 or more.
• Direct experience at Southwest Minnesota State University as a graduate or former student.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an on-campus spokesperson for over 25,000 living alumni across the state, country and around the world and is the primary contact for the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
• Plan and host social, recreational, and networking events on campus and throughout the state and country to connect alumni, faculty, students, and friends of SMSU.
• Plan and manage the execution of the Gold College program to engage SMSU alumni and friends through relevant educational opportunities.
• Analyze and assess opportunities and weaknesses of alumni engagement and outreach programs and implement changes to structure, processes, and people to improve performance.
• Develop new programs as needed to facilitate lifelong dialogue between the University and its Alumni to increase alumni engagement.
• Develop and monitor a regular annual budget for the Alumni Relations office that maximizes the impact of resources available and utilizes meaningful metrics to show the results of activity to internal and external stakeholders and is based on a larger multi-year plan to invest in these activities for the University.
• Support the work of the SMSU Foundation to engage alumni and friends to actively contribute back to the University.
• Manage personal relationships with a portfolio of 10 to 25 major gift donors and prospects.
• Create and present major gift fundraising proposals to prospects and donors.
• Develop and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships with University units, such as Admissions, Career Services, Athletics, Student Affairs and academic colleges and departments.
• Oversee the production and distribution of the FOCUS Magazine, regular email newsletters, website and social media content directed to alumni and friends of the University.
• Serve as the chair of the Homecoming committee to plan and support the execution of various events and activities during homecoming week each year.
• Manage multiple large and complex projects simultaneously.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling
• 12 paid holidays
• Generous vacation and sick time
• Six weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Pension Plan
• 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts
• Various investment options
• Professional development
• Tuition waivers for both you and your dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director