The Associate Director of Regional and Affinity Strategy builds alumni networks and crafts strategic connections for an identified set of regional and affinity-based alumni groups. Regionally-based activity is centered on major markets including but not limited to Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, New York and New Jersey, Chicago, DC, and Boston. Affinity programs include, but are not limited to: student organizations, Greek groups, and athletic teams. The Associate Director of Regional and Affinity Strategy is a member of the regional and affinity team within Alumni Relations. This team connects our 80,000 alumni back to Lehigh for a lifetime through communications and digital programs, events, and volunteer opportunities.

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1. Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate programs and projects to promote engagement through regional and affinity networks
   
   
   
   • Develop and sustain regional and affinity-based communities based on Alumni interest and University priorities, with heavy emphasis on creating innovative digital networks and leveraging technology such as webinars, livestreaming, crowdfunding, and social media to motivate Alumni, parents and friends around the globe
   
   
   • Partner with Major Gift Officers to execute a systemic approach to cultivating and stewarding Alumni, parents and friends through comprehensive engagement programs
   
   
   • Forge relationships with University partners including the Office of International Affairs, Admissions, Multicultural Center, Baker Institute, the Center for Career and Professional Development and the Office of Economic Engagement to develop cohesive priorities
   
   
   • Serve as the lead staff for assigned regional and affinity communities and manage all associated events, communications, and outreach
   
   
   • Assist in overseeing regional and affinity program budgets
   
   
   • Sustain and strengthen existing programs; evaluate programs and establish metrics and benchmarks
   
   
   
   


2. Plan and execute a worldwide regional and affinity-based engagement strategy?
   
   
   
   • Work with the Director and other Associate Directors to plan and execute regional and affinity-based strategic plans for each fiscal year, emphasizing university-wide collaboration
   
   
   • Work with events, communications, and stewardship as well as gift officers and other staff to create a comprehensive vision that will meet Lehigh's goals and needs in a given market
   
   
   • Assist in the oversight and evaluation of the strategy using metrics and benchmarks developed for the process; suggest revisions as needed
   
   
   • Form strong relationships with other members of the Development and Alumni Relations team in order to effectively plan and execute strategy
   
   
   
   


3. Manage regional and affinity network volunteer boards
   
   
   
   • Develop and maintain an efficient volunteer structure for assigned groups
   
   
   • Recruit and retain regional and affinity volunteers
   
   
   • Evaluate programs and establish metrics and benchmarks
   
   
   • Meet with boards regularly in order to maintain positive working relationships
   
   
   
   


4. Collaborate with volunteers to plan and coordinate volunteer-driven and traditional events
   
   
   
   • Collaborate with events team to plan and execute larger regional and affinity events as a part of the regional and affinity engagement strategy
   
   
   • Assist the team with major alumni engagement events such as Reunion, First Year Student Rally, Incoming Student Sendoffs, etc.
   
   
   
   


5. Create strategies for the marketing and communications of regional and affinity engagement
   
   
   
   • Leverage digital media and virtual communications to strengthen regional and affinity networks
   
   
   • Own content for 15-20 regional network webpages and monitor volunteer-driven social media
   
   
   • Collaborate with communications team to develop effective regional and affinity communication strategies and marketing plans
   
   
   
   

• Occasional evening, holiday or weekend hours


• Occasional travel

1. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience


2. Three to five years related work experience


3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills


4. Experience building social media channels and adept use of digital communication preferred


5. Solid analytical, decision making and problem solving skills


6. Ability to complete projects on time and on budget, and report on status and progress


7. Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, county and national criminal background checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance. Based upon the requirements of the position Lehigh may also request credit history reports, motor vehicle checks and professional license/certification verification

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