What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Alumni and Church Relations Kentucky Christian University position at Kentucky Christian University?
- 100 Academic Parkway, Grayson, KY 41143
SUMMARY:
The Director of Alumni and Church Relations has primary responsibility to nurture all aspects of relationships between the University and its alumni and supporting churches and to foster growth in the number of alumni and churches connected to the institution. The Director of Alumni and Church Relations is responsible for the organization, coordination and implementation of an effective strategy to engage alumni and churches to participate in advancing the mission, vision and cause of the University through the giving of their personal financial resources as well as participating in shared philanthropic activities.
The Director of Alumni and Church Relations is a fulltime, exempt position.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
The Director of Alumni and Church Relations reports administratively to the President of the University.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS:
The Director of Alumni and Church Relations is first and foremost a Christian of mature faith with the capacity to clearly articulate his/her relationship with Jesus Christ. The Director of Alumni and Church Relations has a thorough understanding of biblical stewardship and an ability to communicate the mission and vision of the University with passion and conviction. The Director of Alumni and Church Relations will be a self starter, be able to work independently of direct supervision, is able to establish reasonable goals, develop strategies for departmental growth and effectively monitor and measure outcomes for continued success and improved productivity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director of Alumni and Church Relations has the following duties and responsibilities:
- Represent the University through regular church visits, supply preaching and event speaking and act as a goodwill Ambassador for the University at conventions and other church related events.
- Articulate, support, and promote the shared vision of the University.
- Create fund raising connections in partnership with the President and the Director of Advancement.
- Ensure compliance with all policies and procedures included in the KCU Staff Handbook.
- Develop and implement an annual budget for the Office of Alumni and Church Relations unit that supports the University’s funding initiatives.
- Develop and implement a systematic and on-going planning and evaluation process to ensure the improvement and effectiveness of each functional area within his/her areas of responsibility.
- Organize and oversee the Covenant Church Program which exists to enhance and strengthen the University’s relationship and image with supporting churches and non-supporting churches. Ensure the program’s effectiveness through regular reviews for enhancements with written recommendations to the President.
- Organize, facilitate and supervise activities related to Alumni receptions at conferences and regional gatherings.
- Organize and oversee Alumni and Church visits made by staff and volunteers within the KCU community. This includes identifying churches to be visited and the general timing of the visit.
- Direct and oversee all alumni and church correspondence, including, but not limited to, general correspondence, gift solicitations, campaign efforts, and informational requests submitted by alumni and churches.
- Schedule the dispensing and returning of KCU promotional display requests.
- Demonstrate leadership in Alumni and Church Relations across the campus through significant personal interaction with University departments.
- Work with campus organizations and offices to organize alumni information and plan key alumni events (i.e. Alumni Homecoming, and so forth.)
- Provide information for the Alumni Insider’s Report of the Voice publication.
- Work closely with administrative units to foster an attitude and expectation of lifelong connection between KCU and alumni. Develop a campaign to support this initiative.
- Assist Admissions and Financial Aid in the administration of the Alumni Legacy Scholarship program.
- Respond in a timely manner to inquiries from church constituents and their representatives regarding concerns or questions which are linked to the responsibilities of the Office.
- Track and monitor church giving, identify areas of concern and opportunity and develop and implement plans for addressing them.
- Help maintain and build alumni and church donor databases and become proficient in the use of the University’s donor management software, E-tapestry.
- Assume other duties as designated by the President.
- Provide leadership with regard to the digital footprint of the alumni and church relations areas.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
The individual holding this position must possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
- Travel extensively to engage both churches and alumni in the mission of the University.
- Preach/speak effectively and represent KCU in both supporting and non-supporting churches.
- Read and comprehend detailed instructions, correspondence, memos, gift reports and budget reports.
- Clearly write complex correspondence, memos, and reports.
- Present information in one-on-one, small and large group settings.
- Communicate the vision of the University both personally and over the telephone.
- Understand and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
- Define problems, evaluate and make independent decisions based on experience or knowledge with supervision.
- Use computer technology at an elementary to intermediate level.
- Demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity in at least one hand to be able to operate all electronic and computer equipment and manually complete paperwork.
- Listen and hear faculty and staff and administrators speak about the University activities.
- Sit and/or stand and continuously perform essential job functions for a nine hour day, with an hour lunch break.
- Grasp and lift or otherwise move goods weighing up to 25 pounds. At times, folders and other records must be filed.
- Learn and perform all essential job functions accurately with minimal direct supervision within three (3) months after the employee begins work.
- Maintain confidentiality of information.
OTHER ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS:
Current institutional operations and building designs ordinarily require the individual to reach, bend, lift, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, and perform similar physical functions while doing the work of Alumni and Church Relations. All individuals are required to be able to perform these movements without a significant risk of injury, or to otherwise demonstrate or explain how they can perform the essential functions listed above.
QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:
Education: A bachelor’s degree. Preference will be given to candidates with a degree in ministry from Kentucky Christian University.
Experience: Successful candidates will possess experience in: local church ministry, administrative leadership and public speaking.
Values: The Director of Alumni and Church Relations must be sympathetic with the mission and purpose of Kentucky Christian University, enthusiastically support the school’s core values, and must be an active member of an Independent Christian Church or Church of Christ.
Application Procedure:
Interested individuals must submit the following materials by February 7, 2025 for full consideration.
1. Detailed letter of Interest connecting the applicant’s experiences to the role, including experience with fundraising
2. Current Resume
3. KCU Staff Application available at kcu.edu
Application materials should be submitted to:
Karla Back
KJBack@kcu.edu