Program Manager of Alumni Relations and Development, College of Journalism (VPUR)

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

About The Position

The Division of University Relations seeks a highly organized and detail-oriented Program Manager of Alumni Relations and Development for the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This role is critical in fostering meaningful connections with alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and donors while supporting the College’s development strategy and programs. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer/Assistant Dean of External Relations of the College, the Program Manager will collaborate in the implementation of a comprehensive alumni engagement program that includes events, programs, email communications and volunteer management. The Program Manager will work with the college's careers/internships office to engage alumni in networking and mentoring opportunities with students. They will also help to implement and coordinate activities designed to increase alumni involvement and engagement with the college and provide support for the Journalism Alumni Network board. The Program Manager of Alumni Relations and Development will work to implement a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that strategically engages prospects, donors and key stakeholders for the purpose of fundraising. The Program Manager will direct the administrative functions for the Chief Development Officer and, at times, the Dean. This includes preparing meeting and event briefings, finalizing travel itineraries, overseeing the unit's budget, and tracking travel expenses and reimbursements. They will ensure consistent stewardship and donor relations practices, including making sure that scholarship funds are awarded and recipients are chosen annually. They will also manage and execute special events that will help support fundraising activities and they will prepare stewardship communications for donors, including acknowledgement letters, emails and videos. The Program Manager will also maintain College of Journalism data in the Advance database. The Program Manager of Alumni Relations and Development will manage a small portfolio of annual gift level prospects and donors (25-35) and engage in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding these donors. They will also work with the Chief Development Officer to manage the College's participation in Giving Day and Giving Tuesday. This position does not provide visa sponsorship now or in the future. Candidates must be able to provide proof of ongoing eligibility to work in the USA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Five (5) years of professional scholarship activities, gift administration, stewardship, or donor relations experience.
Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.
Knowledge of donor & alumni related policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Nice To Haves

Experience in planning and executing alumni programming and donor events, experience with email and contact management systems, such as Emma, Advance or Blackbaud.

Responsibilities

Collaborate in the implementation of a comprehensive alumni engagement program that includes events, programs, email communications and volunteer management.
Work with the college's careers/internships office to engage alumni in networking and mentoring opportunities with students.
Help to implement and coordinate activities designed to increase alumni involvement and engagement with the college and provide support for the Journalism Alumni Network board.
Implement a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that strategically engages prospects, donors and key stakeholders for the purpose of fundraising.
Direct the administrative functions for the Chief Development Officer and, at times, the Dean.
Ensure consistent stewardship and donor relations practices, including making sure that scholarship funds are awarded and recipients are chosen annually.
Manage and execute special events that will help support fundraising activities
Prepare stewardship communications for donors, including acknowledgement letters, emails and videos.
Maintain College of Journalism data in the Advance database.
Manage a small portfolio of annual gift level prospects and donors (25-35) and engage in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding these donors.
Work with the Chief Development Officer to manage the College's participation in Giving Day and Giving Tuesday.