Director of Alumni Engagement

The St. Mary's University alumni community is an important and valued member of the institution. The Director of Alumni Engagement & Events is responsible for development and management of alumni events and engagement activities to strengthen the relationship of alumni with their alma mater. The position works with the entire Advancement team in the overall planning, integration, and oversight of alumni events and engagement activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, coordinates, and executes special signature events and gatherings that maximize alumni engagement (Oysters & Pearls Gala, Distinguished Alumni Dinner, Faculty Appreciate Dinner, Annual Turkey Fry, Christmas Alumni Social, and the Alumni Association Golf Tournament)
• Assists in the execution of and hosting of other alumni special events, gatherings, and activities (Fiesta Oyster Bake, Homecoming Weekend events, class reunions, graduation activities, and chapter programming)
• Collaborates effectively with other campus offices/departments to plan and execute comprehensive communication programs that drive alumni engagement
• Works collaboratively with leadership to review, revise, and manage all communication materials for the Office of Alumni Engagement (web site content, annual appeals, newsletter, and Gold & Blue magazine materials)
• Works collaboratively with teams on events: assist with event logistics and communications, compose letters, compile invitation lists, create programs and provide program materials, prepare event briefing documents, program scripts and participant remarks (as needed), and create and/or obtain awards and recognitions activities/services/gatherings, or otherwise deepen their engagement with the University, and ultimately lead to service and philanthropy
• Partners with campus colleagues to build alumni engagement
• Serves as the point of contact and manages social media, website updates, and digital communication for the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Alumni Association (including full communication plan for Fiesta Oyster Bake)
• Promotes University and Association interests through interaction to include correspondence, personal visits, and attendance at functions, both locally and out of town
• Builds strong relationships with academic leadership, faculty, and staff across campus to creatively connect institutional needs and alumni engagement opportunities; works collaboratively with support services across campus to ensure events are executed efficiently
• Actively develops and maintains relationships with organizations that relates to alumni through special events, lectures, and other volunteer opportunities to improve alumni engagement
• Identifies key members of leadership to participate in appropriate events and conversations; shares upcoming opportunities to attend events, volunteer, and participates in Alumni Association activities
• Serves as a University Advancement representative to various constituencies.
• Assists with the coordination of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and other volunteers by providing support and acting as staff liaison
• Monitors, analyzes, and accesses data related to engagement and employs appropriate solutions through innovative practices and strategies
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university required, Master's degree or higher preferred.
• 3 years of applicable experience in alumni relations, development, volunteer management, marketing, or similar experience
• Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance
• Must have valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance and personal injury insurance; or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business daily
• Must have the ability to demonstrate intermediate knowledge of MS Office/Office 365 (Word, Teams, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook), experience with virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams, or similar).
• Must be able to travel and be flexible and able to work off-campus, weekends, and evenings, as required.
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours during the workweek.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong public relations and customer service skills with an ability to implement diplomacy and discretion at all times; ability to work effectively with communities across the university. (Donors, Trustees, High-Profile Individuals, External Organizations)
• Must have high ethical standards and a strong sense of confidentiality; ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines; thrive in a complex work environment; display solid problem solving and interpersonal skills; work well independently and as part of a team.
• Must have a high attention to detail and be able to use analytics, organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without loss of efficiency in a multi-tasked environment and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ability to stay abreast on all matters and activities of the University in order to effectively articulate and incorporate relevant information in University Advancement mediums.
• Ability to think independently and take initiative to plan and implement effective partnerships and relationships to find new and sustain existing sponsorships from a variety of constituents.
• Understanding of the St. Mary's culture and ability to represent and communicate the university mission to prospective students and families is preferred.
• Shows a working knowledge and proven ability to use metrics as part of a comprehensive alumni engagement strategic plan.
• Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish with the ability to understand and to make one's self understood to Spanish speaking individuals).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Working conditions are in an office environment and university campus setting. Must be able to move across the university campus to conduct day to day business.
• Position requires a substantial amount of walking and climbing stairs to properly address any situations or employee concerns before, during and after annual events or projects.
• While performing this role, the employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates apply.