DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICER

JOB TITLE: Development & Alumni Relations Officer

DEPARTMENT: Development & Alumni Relations

REPORTS TO: Director of Development Operations

UNIVERSITY MISSION: Rochester Christian University prepares students for professional and personal success as they serve in God’s world.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree required. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, communications, public relations, business administration, or related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Writing and communication skills (emails, newsletters, social media, magazine, etc.)
• Higher education or nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated experience in alumni relations.
• Experience fundraising for unrestricted gifts.
• Commitment to the values of a Christian institution of higher education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Writes and edits a variety of content for print and digital platforms including email copy, event/program marketing pieces and invitations, alumni spotlights, news items, and social media posts, etc.
• Coordinates with Marketing and Communications Department for various web, socials, and print projects, as directed. Plans, coordinates, implements, and finalizes projects according to the needs and established deadlines. Creates communication plans including, but not limited to social media, emails, donor letters and yearly mailers.
• Manage and participate with the Rochester Christian University Alumni Board and their goals of mentoring, networking and fundraising.
• Manages, organizes, and executes community reading program in the month of March, specifically highlighting local alumni teachers and their schools.
• Creates, maintains, and manages alumni engagement and events. Assists with all Development Office events such as the annual Golf Classic, Partnership Dinner, President’s Circle of Honor Reception, among others.
• Cultivates and stewards relationships with alumni, donors, and community members to become engaged members of the university.
• Develops a sustainable plan to preserve relationships with recent graduates for continued interaction with the RCU Alumni Office.
• Develops opportunities for alumni engagement, including volunteer events, mentorship, alumni/student events and reunions while building connections to the greater Rochester community.
• Develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for annual donors/alumni identified through the annual giving pipeline.
• Displays independent initiative to proactively foster relationships with current and potential donors and supporters.
• Identifies opportunities for collaboration through engagement with key alumni and donors to provide increased outreach efforts to grow RCU’s constituency.
• Assists in capital campaign fundraising as needed and assigned.
• Complies with all Rochester Christian University policies and procedures including but not limited to solicitation and acceptance of gifts, alumni policies and naming policies.
• Willing to work standard office hours with occasional after-hours commitments and events.
• Promotes an inclusive environment through demonstration of RCU’s Diversity Statement. Additionally, participates in developmental activities to increase understanding and awareness of issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion both individually and as related to the field of work, profession, or discipline.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Basic understanding and interest in alumni relations' best practices and general operations.
• Experience in a higher education alumni relations or non-profit environment preferred.
• Strong copy writing and creative design skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• A basic understanding of a CRM database (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and/or other software to retrieve data and perform comprehensive analysis related to all aspects of the annual fund.
• Experience with various software systems including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, Canva, etc.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Supportive of the University mission. Indicators of this support include a demonstrated personal faith in Jesus Christ and being active in a local church.