Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Job Description :

The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement is a member of Washington and Lee University’s Alumni Engagement team, reporting to the Director of Alumni Reunions and Events. The Assistant Director will develop and implement creative and focused affinity programming for recent classes and a nationwide range of alumni groups including underrepresented communities, academic program graduates, career and industry groups, athletics, and student organizations. The Assistant Director will offer programs through on-campus reunions and events, virtual programs, social media, and local and / or alumni chapter events. They will collaborate with the university’s Offices of Inclusion and Engagement, Lifelong Learning, and Career and Professional Development, as well as campus-based affinity groups. The Assistant Director successfully engages and collaborates with alumni, university staff, and students to offer dynamic and inclusive programs and events.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

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Essential Functions :

Collaborate, coordinate, develop and facilitate programming with students, school partners and faculty that increases alumni connections, fulfills student requests and expands alumni involvement to a broad constituent group.

Serve as key point of contact for events such as Black Alumni Weekend, departmental milestone anniversary celebrations and affinity programming. Collaborate with Director of Alumni Reunions and Events on signature alumni events such as Young Alumni Weekend, Alumni Weekend, and Five-Star Festival.

Develop and organize events, gatherings, and alumni affinity engagement opportunities on and off campus and virtually. An affinity group is any set of alumni who share a common prior student experience, interest, identity or purpose, career, etc. who can be brought together in person or digitally to engage with each other and with the University.

Actively engage and listen to W&L alumni, faculty, staff, and students to develop creative methods for fostering alumni connection.

Work closely with University partners in Lifelong Learning, Career and Professional Development, University Advancement, Office of Inclusion and Engagement, Academic Departments, Student Affairs and Athletics.

Proactively build relationships with an alumni portfolio to foster increased engagement or reengagement with Alumni Engagement programming.

Make data-driven recommendations for programming and engagement strategies. Benchmark with peer institutions to determine best practices and evaluate ROI of current engagement programming.

Serve as an effective representative of the University at on-and off-campus events.

Use data and input from key university partners and volunteers to identify and encourage diverse affinity groups with potential for high engagement, valuable and meaningful experiences, and associations with each other and with the University.

Maintain internal master affinity programs calendar, online events calendar and program records. Collaborate closely with other University Advancement colleagues to ensure efficiency and avoid overlap.

Use University database software to create queries to identify affinity group prospects. Maintain event information and enter RSVP lists in the applicable systems. Use analytical skills to identify and correct missing or incorrect information, pull data, and maximize the utility of available data.

Work with the Alumni and Career Services marketing team to create effective communications strategies that engage alumni around their affinities and upcoming events. Coordinate a high volume of accurate and appealing communications to generate alumni interest and participation in upcoming programs and events.

Collaborate closely with the Director of Alumni Chapter Programs, participating in the management of an extensive network of local alumni chapters, including some event planning.

Oversee budgeting and financial management of events with varied funding sources. Ensure events stay within budget.

Execute and plan alumni affinity events including venue selection, securing hotel blocks, entertainment, meals, etc., keeping the alumni experience top of mind.

Actively participate and provide input on the Alumni Engagement goals, revised annually.

Staff major campus reunions and other events. Pay careful attention to the alumni experience, resolving issues and concerns as they arise.

Additional related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree required.

Two or more years of experience in a related field, such as higher education, nonprofit, customer service, or event planning. Experience may be as a student, intern, volunteer, or employee.

Excellent communication skills fostering positive relationships.

Experience and creativity working with different forms of digital communications, including Web content management, email, and basic social media applications.

Must be proficient in Microsoft Office software.

Must be a self-starter and have the ability to work independently, and to work collaboratively on a team to engage all segments of the increasingly diverse alumni and friends of the University.

Must be available to occasionally travel overnight and perform some evening and weekend work.

Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience with project management or CRM platforms such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database system, Slate Higher Ed CRM, Qualtrics, Monday.com, etc.

Experience in Higher Education, volunteer management and event planning.

Knowledge of issues and best practices related to inclusion and engagement.

Above-average communication skills and ability to manage difficult relationships Global awareness and understanding. Ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds, education, and experience including those from outside the USA.

Application Instructions :

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please upload a resume and cover letter in your application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Application instructions and information about Washington and Lee University can be located at .

Position Type :

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay :

56,227.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

Salary : $56,227