Executive Director of Alumni Relations

The University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications and

nominations for the position of Executive Director of Alumni

Relations. The Executive Director of Alumni Relations sets the

strategic direction for engaging the university's 355,000 living

alumni across the world. Production, collaboration, innovation, and

purpose will guide this advancement leader.

The Executive Director of Alumni Relations serves as a key

member of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) senior

leadership team and through close partnerships with university and

volunteer leadership is responsible for developing strategic

objectives for constituent programs, services, and activities to

ensure successful engagement and participation among students,

alumni, donors and friends of the university. The Executive

Director of Alumni Relations reports directly to the Senior

Executive Director of Development and will maintain close working

relationships with the Vice President for Development and Alumni

Relations and other leaders in the division, the UGA Alumni Board

of Directors, the University of Georgia Foundation, the President's

Office, the deans of UGA schools and colleges, unit directors, the

UGA Athletic Association, alumni committees, and key volunteers in

the support of a cohesive and coordinated approach to programming,

services and activities.

The Executive Director will lead and direct a staff of

professionals in creating forward-thinking programs and work

collaboratively with the team to increase commitment among alumni,

setting the operational and strategic plan, identifying key

metrics, and managing the budget for the UGA Alumni Board and the

department of Alumni Relations. The Executive Director will provide

guidance and assist with the efforts of schools, colleges, and

other units in developing and enhancing strategic programming and

constituent engagement while promoting opportunities for financial

support of the university. The Executive Director of Alumni

Relations will also serve as liaison to the UGA Alumni Board of

Directors and work closely with the Board and volunteers in

implementing strategies to increase engagement of alumni, students,

donors and friends of the University of Georgia. More information

can be found at the following websites: , and

Responsibilities:

Strategy and Leadership: Internal Partnerships

(55%)

Alumni Relations Team

• Build and lead results-focused teams with a leadership style
  
  that encourages confidence and promotes an entrepreneurial and
  
  innovative spirit among the team and shareholders.
• Lead a strategic and financial annual review and development
  
  process for the Alumni Relations team. This includes close
  
  collaboration with leadership across DAR and development of a plan
  
  that provides guidance and mentorship to the Alumni team for their
  
  annual priorities and activities in support of the mission goals of
  
  the Division.
• Structure, appoint, establish, communicate, and reinforce staff
  
  assignments, accountabilities, performance expectations, and goals
  
  for staff reporting to this position.
• Ensure representation of the Alumni Relations team in the
  
  planning and execution of DAR signature programs, including
  
  strategic planning, engagement, and event execution.
• Collaborate with DAR leadership on strategy to set goals,
  
  annual plans, and metrics to measure engagement and alumni
  
  programming in connection to fundraising and other DAR
  
  priorities.

Campus Partners

• Establish and nurture strong relationships and promote
  
  engagement with academic leaders, senior staff, and DAR colleagues
  
  across campus to strengthen alumni programming and align the work
  
  of the Alumni Relations team with the strategic goals and
  
  priorities of DAR.
• Provide guidance and assist with the efforts of the schools,
  
  colleges, and other units in developing and enhancing alumni
  
  programming and engagement and promoting opportunities for
  
  financial support of the university.

Strategy and Leadership: External Partnerships

(45%)

Engagement of alumni, donors, and friends of the

university

• Provide the architecture for engagement between UGA and its
  
  alumni, friends, and constituents.
• Lead and create strategies and programs that drive personal
  
  connection, affinity, and investment in UGA pursuing, always, the
  
  best constituent experience.
• Grow the pipeline of engaged alumni, parents, friends, and
  
  constituents to support fundraising priorities and advance the
  
  mission of UGA.
• Develop strong relationships with UGA alumni and community to
  
  support strategic objectives for the alumni programs, services, and
  
  activities to ensure successful outcomes. Ensure that programming
  
  and engagement are connected to opportunities for financial support
  
  of the university.
• Lead the strategy for engagement of alumni in geographic
  
  markets in collaboration with the priorities of DAR.
• Manage internal teams responsible for programing to external
  
  audiences.
• Deliver speeches and present information that promotes the
  
  mission of the Office of Alumni Relations, encourages constituent
  
  engagement, alumni giving and participation, and accomplishes other
  
  objectives pertinent to the role.

Strategic Leadership of the UGA Alumni Board and

Volunteer Leaders

• Lead the direction of the UGA Alumni Board, prioritizing the
  
  recruitment, selection, and training of effective alumni board
  
  members.
• Create and sustain an effective volunteer alumni board
  
  strategic plan that enables DAR and the University of Georgia to
  
  achieve their mission.
• Coordinate alumni board assignments and goals to enhance the
  
  collaborative goals of the priorities of DAR.
• Confer with board members, organize board leaders, and staff
  
  liaisons to carry out the priorities of DAR.

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing,
  
  Communications, Public Relations or a related field.

Relevant/Preferred Education and Experience

• A Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing,
  
  Communications, Public Relations or a related field.
• At least five years of senior level management experience in
  
  resource development, strategic planning, public
  
  relations/communications.
• At least 12 years of related higher education experience; OR an
  
  equivalent combination of education and experience related to
  
  marketing, development, business administration, higher education,
  
  project management, or relationship management.
• At least five years of experience working with and managing
  
  volunteer boards.
• Proven track record of fundraising success in higher
  
  education.
• Proven track record with comprehensive campaigns.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and/or

Competencies:

• Strong people management skills and time management
  
  skills.
• Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level
  
  prospects.
• Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher
  
  education.
• Knowledge of IRS rules and regulations regarding charitable
  
  gifts and non-profit organizations.
• Self-starter and highly motivated.
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to
  
  work in a team-based environment.
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and
  
  confident, strong verbal communication.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while
  
  being flexible.
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex
  
  situations.
• Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong
  
  relationships with key faculty/staff.
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and
  
  deadlines.
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving
  
  priorities.
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and
  
  responsibility regarding information related to university business
  
  and confidential donor and prospect information.
• Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word,
  
  and PowerPoint.
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback
  
  on ideas.
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and
  
  professional way.
• Ability to travel in and out of state.
• Willingness and flexibility to work nights and weekends if
  
  necessary.
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face
  
  discussions, paper form correspondence.
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and
  
  listening.
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail;
  
  multi-task.

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has

operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most

diversified institution of higher education ). The proof is in

our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements

and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently

ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News &

World Report. The university's main campus is located in

Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended

campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.

UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700

full-time staff. The university's enrollment exceeds 40,000

students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000

graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18

schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta

University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

As one of the top public universities in the nation, UGA offers

a culture of academic excellence and opportunity made all the

richer by our renowned faculty, diverse community of

scholar-citizens, and vibrant student life program.

Applications: Applicant screening will begin

immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by

Sunday, February 25, 2024; however, screening will continue until

the position is filled. The application packet should include a

cover letter detailing how the applicant's credentials and

experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications

stated above; a current resume; and contact information for three

references (who will not be contacted without further

correspondence with the applicant).

All applicants must apply online at

Please see the job posting at:

To request a descriptive Opportunity

Profile for this position, provide a nomination, or

seek additional information, please contact Callie West, Primary

Consultant with the UGA Search Group, or Letters of

recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and

contact information for the nominee.

The University of Georgia is an

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified

applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard

to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age,

genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual

orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing

accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials

related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR

).

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