Assistant Director of Engagement

The Assistant Director of Engagement serves as an active member of the alumni and engagement team responsible for sustaining and strengthening connections between the college and alumni, families, donors, and friends. The Assistant Director is responsible for collaborating with campus partners as well as alumni volunteers to build and implement programs that engage alumni and friends around the affinities which shaped their Luther experience, including athletics, music, academics, and identities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage programs that engage alumni and friends around shared interests and experiences. Partner with colleagues across campus to create new and enhance existing affinity programs. Develop a strategy to integrate and implement affinity events, reunions, communications, and awards.
• Nurture relationships with volunteers and facilitate their support for affinity activities. As appropriate, convene committees and work with associations, such as the Black Alumni Association. 
• Partner with colleagues in advancement to develop and expand affinity giving programs in ways that increase donor participation and maximize the philanthropy of Luther alumni.
• With the director of alumni & engagement, partner with campus colleagues, such as admissions, athletics, office of student success, student engagement, and academic departments, to align affinity programs with broader college initiatives.

• Evaluate existing activities to maximize engagement and fundraising potential, and develop new programs that align constituent engagement efforts with institutional priorities and revenue generation opportunities.
• Recruit, train, and support volunteer leaders for affinity groups, providing them with the tools and resources needed to expand the impact of the programs they support. Recognize and celebrate the contributions of volunteers, fostering a culture of appreciation, engagement, and philanthropy.

Other duties as assigned

• Participate in team meetings for the alumni & engagement team, along with other meetings in the division and around campus in which this role will provide collaborative and cross-team support.
• Contribute to the overall success of the alumni & engagement office through teamwork and collaboration.
• Advance equity-centered principles, practices, and learning within the  division and across campus.
• Cultivate community relationships and networks that support Luther’s advancement.
• Represent Luther as a professional collaborator at public functions and events, including social and professional gatherings.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Student work

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS: 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree minimum; 
• Degree from a liberal-arts college preferred.

Experience: 

• 3 years of experience in higher education event planning, volunteer management, or related fields.

Skills/Abilities: 

• Volunteer management: Adept at establishing and nurturing strong relationships with volunteers, earning their trust and confidence across all levels, facilitating meetings and managing volunteer-led events, fostering a strengths-based environment that achieves common goals with flexibility and integrity. 
• Communication proficiency: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to develop compelling proposals, deliver presentations, and connect professionally and sincerely with constituents. 
• Project Management and Planning: Excellent skills in managing projects, evaluating priorities, and allocating and managing resources to meet deadlines and outcomes. 
• Systems Proficiency: Knowledge of CRM systems and practices - particularly a willingness to learn Slate Advancement - and a strong working knowledge of Google office and shared drives for collaboration purposes.
• Fundraising: knowledge of philanthropic principles, practices, and emerging trends. Proven success in developing creative, revenue-producing solicitations through direct mail, online giving, telemarketing, and/or personal solicitation.
• Inclusive and Equity-Centered Approach: Demonstrated willingness to promote and contribute to a workplace culture that supports equity, diversity, and inclusion, and advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.
• Continuous Learning and Growth: Engages in a culture of learning,  staying up to date on established and emerging trends in fundraising and constituent engagement, including current and emerging technologies and systems that support effective fundraising and engagement.
• Alignment with Organizational Values: Ability to clearly represent the mission and vision of Luther College as a residential, Lutheran, liberal arts college.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Physical demands and environmental conditions: Work performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment. Involves sitting for a long period of time, standing, and walking in a well-lighted and well-ventilated office.
• This position may be required to travel regionally and work evenings and/or weekends as necessary to support Alumni/ events and programming.