Simon Alumni Engagement Director

University of Rochester•City of Rochester, NY

4d•$70,197 - $105,295

About The Position

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive. The Alumni Engagement Director is responsible for the strategic planning, creation and implementation, and maintenance of a widespread alumni engagement program that fosters strong relationships and broad support from alumni. This position reports to the Executive Director of Simon Advancement and works collaboratively with colleagues in Simon Business School (Simon) and University Advancement, as well as with faculty, staff, deans and directors at Simon. This role currently manages two team members: an associate director of engagement and a program assistant. This role will involve travel in support of various alumni events and 1:1 visits with alumni volunteers and donors for Simon Business School to drive engagement efforts and steward relationships. Additionally, this role will involve interaction with the Dean of Simon Business School, faculty, as well as senior-level leadership volunteers of the business school. The Director will serve as key point of contact for the Simon volunteer structure in collaboration with the Executive Director, and orchestrates meetings, communications, and execution of all volunteer board activities. The Director will be responsible for tracking and reporting engagement metrics that relate to Simon-specific events and University-wide engagement and manage special projects as assigned, including developing and building alumni networks and annual fund initiatives that will involve management of volunteers and some solicitation of gifts. This role will work with the Executive Director in alumni engagement strategy, volunteer management, Simon reunion and event programming. The Director is responsible for developing strategies and an annual plan to maximize donor engagement. This includes the development and execution of events and programs for a variety of targeted constituencies, including Simon specific events as well as those in collaboration with donor relations and central alumni relations as appropriate, including Meliora Weekend/URochester’s homecoming weekend. Will involve travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (required), Master’s Degree (preferred)
A minimum of seven years of development/alumni relations experience at a university or college as well as experience working with volunteers and boards. Experience in a similar field will be considered.
excellent communication and organizational skills; the ability to meet deadlines and work effectively with volunteers, faculty, alumni, and friends; and the enthusiasm to represent URMC Academic Programs effectively to alumni and other constituents.
Advanced computer skills working in Microsoft Office.
The ability to adjust to changing priorities and challenges in a busy environment, with a positive, can-do attitude is key.
Travel is required for this role, roughly 1 trip a month, often to the west coast.
Evidence of ability to work effectively with faculty and senior-level prospects and donors.
Ability to work self-sufficiently in a fast-paced environment is crucial, as is time management and prioritization based on campaign timetables, competing priorities, and return on investment.
This position requires an individual who excels at cultivating and soliciting in an organized fashion
Strong skills in written and oral communication.
Demonstrated ability to communicate campaign priorities and funding opportunities.
Strong collaborative skills.
Sufficiently well-organized to deal effectively with donor stewardship issues and “moves” to advance donors according to a plan.
Highly motivated and independent working style.
Flexibility – given the changing demands of executing a comprehensive capital campaign, responsibilities within this position may change.

Nice To Haves

Previous supervisory experience (preferred) or equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

Alumni Engagement Develop and implement Simon Business School’s alumni engagement strategy through events, programs, and activities.
Set, track, and monitor engagement goals, and produce reporting and analysis of engagement results to drive strategy and activity.
Work collaboratively with gift officers on donor engagement and stewardship to advance holistic development goals.
Collaborate with UR Advancement colleagues (i.e. UR Alumni Relations, Special Events, Communications) and Simon campus partners (e.g. Benet Center, admissions, office of student engagement, etc.) to develop value-added activities and programs for Simon alumni.
Create and implement a series of virtual engagement opportunities for alumni and donors nationwide.
Drive alumni engagement activity to achieve ambitious goals outlined in URochester’s “for Ever Better University campaign.”
Volunteer Management Grow, enhance, and manage Simon’s alumni boards and committees—including the Simon Alumni Board, Simon Consortium Alumni Council and Simon Women’s Alliance—to enhance the alumni experience and success of Simon Business School.
Serve as key point of contact for the Simon volunteer structure and support meetings, communications, and execution of all volunteer board activities.
Develop and execute strategies to engage volunteers across Simon Business School, and coordinate closely with the Executive Director and gift officers on the cultivation and stewardship of donors and prospects.
Alumni Events Oversee the planning and implementation of events assigned to the Simon team and manage Simon’s involvement in centrally-run events and programs.
Ensures all event planning and execution aligns with and supports community needs and interests.
Identifies opportunities for new events, programs or partnerships that align with organizational goals and community needs.
Represent the University and Simon Business School at events as a primary contact point and, through events, programming, communications, and 1:1 meetings, engage alumni individually and collectively in the life of the University.
Provide leadership and vision for events and programming to best showcase Simon Business School and most effectively engage target audiences.
Evaluate current event practices and procedures based on community feedback and implement improvements.
Enhance overall event experience by incorporating community suggestions and best practices.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulations, and legal requirements during event planning and execution.
Manage risk factors associated with events, including safety, security, and liability considerations.
Conduct post-event evaluations to assess success, gather feedback, and identify areas for improvement.
Prepare reports and presentations for senior management and stakeholders on event outcomes and recommendations.
Management Oversee day-to-day activities of Simon Advancement Alumni Engagement including staff hiring and supervision, performance appraisals, and recommendations on staffing structure and promotions.
Provide oversight, training, and mentorship to junior staff members involved in event planning and execution.
Delegate tasks effectively and ensures staff are equipped with necessary skills and resources.
This role will directly oversee one Associate Director with significant event planning responsibility, and a Program Assistant of Alumni Engagement.
Communications and Marketing Utilize print, digital, and social media to keep alumni informed of Simon news and to feature accomplishments of alumni, faculty, and students.
Coordinate closely with Executive Director, UR Advancement Communications, and Communications and Marketing to facilitate unified and concerted outreach to alumni.
Develop and implement an alumni communication strategy that incorporates messaging, themes, and priorities in support of the University’s campaign goals.
Other duties as assigned Maintain a broad knowledge of key areas of importance to the engagement of business school alumni.
Partner with the Executive Director and others in managing special development projects and events, including campaign preparation, data and analytics, and volunteer management.
Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director of Simon Advancement.