DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

PAY GRADE: 28S

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

Supporting the University of Delaware's network of more than 175,000 alumni worldwide, the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations serves as the primary liaison between the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the Regional Alumni Clubs. The Assistant Director is directly responsible for recruiting and managing volunteers who serve as UD ambassadors, advocates, donors and supporters. In addition, this individual will identify, qualify, and solicit alumni and prospects in the region to support the University's annual giving program while also managing a number of alumni clubs in cities and regions across the country.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Discovery Visits

• Actively identify, qualify, cultivate and solicit alumni locally and in assigned regions and encourage increased participation in the University's annual giving programs.
• Secure and complete assigned discovery visits annually and track progress of visited alumni.
• Actively collaborate with development officers to establish appropriate engagement strategies guided by the direction and scope of a prospect's interest.
• Manage and track prospects by updating contact report information using Advance.
• Coordinate with colleagues in Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving (AEAG) on activities to engage prospects throughout the region. Assists with alumni related activities and events in the region.
• Create a pipeline of engaged alumni to serve as volunteers and move them through appropriate referrals to Leadership Annual Giving, Young Alumni Programs and to Major Gift Officers.

Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers serving in various capacities with the Alumni Clubs. Work to provide guidance and counsel to those serving on committees or boards for the larger Alumni Clubs. Manage the application process and assignment of board positions.
• Coordinate and attend the inaugural board meetings of each Alumni Club and exercise oversight and authority to ensure adherence of university policies and procedures; take appropriate action to correct the performance and management of boards that are out of compliance. Conduct regular volunteer leadership calls and meetings.
• Develop goals and strategies for volunteers that clearly outline their responsibilities, including timelines, budget information, and resources available to ensure their success.
• Develop a stewardship program for volunteers that keeps them motivated and successful in their current roles and move them through the volunteer engagement pyramid upon completion of their term.
• Review the alumni club handbook and training documents and make changes as necessary.
• Recognize alumni club board members by nominating them for appropriate awards and committees.

Event Planning

• Develop strategic alumni engagement activities in regions and cities where there is a critical mass of alumni, prospects and donors; assess the resources needed to develop and sustain alumni activities in these markets; and determine other engagement resources and activities for alumni living in communities with smaller alumni populations.
• Develop, and implement short and long-range regional alumni programming goals, strategies, events, and policies for alumni, aimed at increasing participation and involvement from these constituencies.
• Broaden the scope and increase the quality and diversity of programs, services, and activities; provide meaningful opportunities for alumni of all class years, life cycle stages, and interests to engage with the University.
• Manage clubs to ensure the development of signature events and participation in specific programming designated by the University as critical to supporting its overarching goals and mission related to campaign priorities.
• Identify and plan programs with companies and corporations that employ large numbers of alumni.
• Partner with university departments such as Colleges, Admissions, Career Services, Athletics, etc., and use those partnerships to identify alumni, parents, and friends for strategic programming for alumni events.
• Conduct surveys and focus groups with the alumni constituency, as needed, and use data to develop strategic programming and activities that are of interest to a broad constituency.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Alumni Engagement and Student Programs to develop opportunities for students to engage in regional activities and encourage their participation with regional programs once they graduate.
• In cooperation with the Development and Alumni Relations Communications team and the Office of Communications and Marketing, ensure strategic utilization of all communication mediums to promote and advertise Alumni Clubs events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of two years of experience in alumni relations, fundraising, sales, marketing, strategic event planning and execution, and/or volunteer management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of people internal and external to the organization, including working effectively in a team setting.
• Experience with program design and implementation and leading teams to desired results.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management.
• Ability to persuade, motivate, and influence others.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with alumni, prospects, and donors.
• Ability to work in a timely manner with multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Effective oral, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience partnering with companies and corporations to engage large numbers of alumni preferred.
• Experience working with a campaign and implementing campaign priorities to achieve desired outcomes preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel regionally and nationally is required which will include some evenings and weekends.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

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