Director of Alumni Relations

Job Summary: Using best practices and a market research-based approach to segmentation and messaging, the Director of Alumni Relations plans, implements and manages the university’s alumni relations programs. The Director of Alumni Relations develops and implements programs and services that engage, improve communications, and create a basis for a robust engaged alumni base and a culture of philanthropy 1) with and among Drury’s 14,000+ alumni; (2) current students and (3) parents of students who attend Drury. This individual will be responsible for working with alumni, students and parents and involving them in activities that support University goals. The Director supervises an Assistant Director- Alumni Relations and works in close collaboration with the annual fund staff. Some travel expected. Regular contact with members of the university leadership team, Alumni Association Council, and other key Drury alumni and friends.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Liaison for the Drury University Alumni Association and Alumni Council, responsible for the development and support of the regional committees and other groups formed to support increased national alumni and donor engagement. Conceptualizes and manages alumni events and programs, including reunions, Homecoming, Campaign events, and others as developed while involving volunteers to generate new ideas, create plans and implement events and activities for measurable outcomes.
• In collaboration with appropriate departments, university marketing and EVP, plans, oversees, integrates and is responsible for marketing, social media communication and production of material (i.e., direct-mail, email blasts, etc.) to increase all alumni and donor segment engagement and awareness of university and development and alumni activities and events.
• Oversees progress to goal and programmatic responsibilities, analyzing alumni engagement against established external benchmarks. Ensures that volunteers, student workers and interns are recruited, trained, and managed to support the goals of the programs as needed.
• Develop, implement, and oversee alumni engagement strategies that expand the number and range of alumni who have personal involvement with the university.
• Lead an innovative outreach effort that accelerates growth in alumni volunteerism and annual giving.
• Strengthen alumni networks and affinity groups: professional, cultural, diversity & Inclusion, identity, social, and geographic.
• Help identify alums who may be candidates for leadership roles on the university’s boards and advisory councils.
• Staff the National Alumni Council and other advisory councils as directed by the EVPA.
• Expand the number and range of alumni who have personal involvement with the University with an emphasis on regional chapters.
• Organize and execute events and communications that support activities to strengthen engagement (i.e., regional events, on-line communication, constituent research, and activities that support service, recruitment, and career development.)
• Prepare students, during their undergraduate years, to become engaged and philanthropic alums.
• Work with alumni from the traditional undergraduate program, the College Continuing and Professional Studies (Drury GO), and the graduate programs.
• Develop short and long-term goals for all annual volunteer campaigns. Leverage tools and resources to measure the impact of engagement programs.
• Manage, inspire, teach, and motivate all direct reports who will contribute to the outreach effort and reach the metric-driven goals of the alumni engagement and annual giving program
• Conduct face-to-face visits and solicitations from a pool of suspects (or prospects) to gauge interest and capacity in giving to Drury, with a goal of pushing to the Annual Giving pipeline leadership level gifts at $1,000 or more.
• Increase alumni participation numbers through Reunion efforts and giving.
• Responsible for advancing the university's mission, objectives, and strategies by creating long-term, positive alumni engagement. Accountable for developing and implementing a strategy to increase the Alumni Engagement Index by strengthening volunteerism, event attendance, and online engagement, while being responsive to trends and changes as priorities evolve.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to move a team, alumni, and volunteers forward with creativity, energy and openness to others’ input and ideas.
• Strong written and presentation skills with proven success in exploratory and qualifying visits with various constituents.
• Proven problem-solver with the ability to function effectively within tight deadlines and stressful situations, and to organize multiple projects and timelines simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain a broad knowledge of information about the university, schools, departments, and the overall organization and to understand its unique characteristics, purposes, and philosophy.
• Ability to represent Drury University to alumni and external constituents in a professional, positive, and knowledgeable manner at all times, establishing rapport with different types of people, while being discreet and maintaining confidentiality of information and abiding by the department’s confidentiality policy on university and donor information.
• Must possess the skills to collaborate, communicate and cooperatively work with faculty, staff, and administration, focusing on the shared strategic goals of the university to implement the annual fund and alumni program goals.
• Experience in planning and managing special events and fundraising activities. Experience in recruiting, training and collaboratively working with volunteers.
• Ability to counsel with donors, alumni, and friends to deal with problems and issues in a professional, customer service orient manner.
• Willingness to join professional fundraising associations, pursue professional certification, network with other higher education professionals and appropriate community organizations to represent the university and bring best practices to the annual fund and alumni programs.
• Ability to be analytical, use and generate statistical information for reporting on program outcomes and establishing metrics for program measurement and improvement.
• Ability to set goals, prioritize, organize, and manage tasks and details.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends and to travel in a personal car as needed.
• Experience with Raisers’ Edge preferred and skilled use of Microsoft Office software, including Excel, as well as presentation, and website applications expected.

Education and Experience: Must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 5 years’ experience in alumni and annual fund programs at a higher education level or as a development director in a community-based non-profit; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises staff and student staff members. Oversees the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the university’s policies and applicable law. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to sit
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception
• Must we able to travel off campus when required
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends