Manager of Alumni Engagement

Position Title: Manager of Alumni Engagement

Reports to: Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement

Team Structure: Member of the Philanthropy & Engagement Team, includes fundraising, admissions, marketing, and alumni - all reporting up to the VP.

FSLA Classification: Exempt/12-month employee

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Elevate relationship-building and meaningful engagement efforts with alumni to strengthen their connection to Sion. Develop and execute a strategic annual engagement plan by “generation” effectively building marketing, events, and other opportunities for alumni of both the Grade School and the High School at different stages of life. Success will be measured in alumni participation, engagement, and philanthropic giving.

This is an exciting opportunity as there is significant opportunity and demand for enhanced efforts in alumni relations. This is a major component of our upcoming 6-year strategic plan, so this person will be positioned to make an impact. This will require an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to develop tracking systems and assess new resources.

• Particular areas of interest to launch in the near-term:
• Support recent graduates through their time as young alumni and professionals
• Create networking and development opportunities, such as an alumni speaker series
• Capture data from young alumni in High School and College to demonstrate Sion’s ability to prepare students for success in life
• Build a database with accurate contact information for alumni
  
  
  

Essential Job Duties

Alumni Relations Strategy and Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni relations strategy that strengthens connections with alumni, deepens engagement, and increases alumni participation in school events, programs, and giving.
• Lead the Alumnae Association Board: set strategic vision for the Board, recruit members, set annual goals and priorities, and lead effective meetings with strong communication and follow through.
• Create and nurture a dynamic alumni network through events, social media, and personalized outreach.
• Cultivate alumni participation in school activities, such as serving on school committees, volunteering, and attending reunions or other school events.
• Communications and Outreach:
• Develop and manage a regular alumni communication plan, including newsletters, social media updates, and email campaigns to keep alumni informed of school news, events, and initiatives. (This will be done in collaboration with the Marketing team.)
• Create and maintain an up-to-date alumni database, ensuring accurate contact information and engagement records.
• Utilize digital tools, social media platforms, and alumni-specific platforms to foster connections and promote events and activities.
• Serve as a member of the Philanthropy & Engagement team and participate in shared responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Event Planning and Coordination:

• Plan and execute alumni events such as reunions, Breakfast with Santa, socials, networking gatherings, and other school-related activities.
• Coordinate with other team members and committees to align alumni outreach with broader school goals.
• Facilitate alumni participation in school events, including guest speaker engagements, career panels, and class reunions.
  
  
  

Fundraising and Stewardship:

• Support fundraising initiatives in collaboration with the Philanthropy & Engagement team.
• Build relationships with alumni donors and ensure proper acknowledgment and stewardship of gifts.
• Promote a culture of giving and ongoing support among alumni, helping them feel personally connected to the mission and needs of Notre Dame de Sion.
  
  
  

Relationship Management:

• Deeply understand the current database of 4,000 alumni community, work with the Donor Relations Manager to update/access data and develop strategies to capture key data to enhance donor relations and communication.
• Follow up on all relationship management aspects with alumni and alumni parents.
  
  
  

Knowledge & Skills

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Passion for building relationships
• Ability to review and analyze data
• Capacity to strategically plan and manage projects, prioritizing effectively to meet goals, budgets, and deadlines
• Openness to professional feedback and ability to incorporate professional feedback into ongoing practice
• Strong ownership of work with the ability to work independently and collaborate with a team of diverse individuals
• Positive attitude and willingness to embrace challenges and develop creative solutions
• Proficiency in Google Suite, social media platforms, and donor database management
• Experience in Blackbaud and other development platforms and vehicles preferred
• Creative, energetic, and proactive
• Flexibility in working with a variety of constituents across Grade School and High School
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary
• Commitment to equitable practices
  
  
  

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years of experience in alumni relations, community engagement, fundraising, or related fields
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with diverse groups
• Must embrace the mission, vision, and values of Notre Dame de Sion
• Preferred - Alumni of the Notre Dame de Sion Grade School or High School
  
  
  

Commitment to Non-Discrimination & Diversity

Notre Dame de Sion is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. Candidates who have experience working with a wide range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experience in these areas.

The above description covers the most significant duties performed but does not exclude assignments not mentioned.