Director of Volunteer Engagement

The Director of Volunteer Engagement (Director) reports to the Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement Operations (AVP-AEO) and is a senior member of University Advancement’s Alumni Engagement team. The Director has a deep understanding of Princeton University and its mission, familiarity with the University’s diverse and global community of alumni, and genuine appreciation for the critical role that alumni volunteers play in the success of the University’s alumni engagement and fundraising activities. The Director plays an integral role in supporting the alumni trustee election processes through which approximately 25 percent of the University’s trustees are elected, engaging with the Vice President and Secretary of the University as appropriate. This highly visible and strategic role presents an opportunity for the right incumbent to engage with senior University leadership and alumni volunteers on a broad range of high-priority efforts. In addition, the Director supervises the Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement.

Responsibilities include:

• Alumni Trustee Election Processes for Princeton’s Board of Trustees (40%)
  • Stewards and supports the Committee to Nominate Alumni Trustees, a special standing committee of the Alumni Council that selects the undergraduate and graduate alumni candidates to run on an annual ballot for election to Princeton University’s Board of Trustees
  • Working closely with the CTNAT chair and committee members, the Director helps to ensure that CTNAT effectively fulfills its responsibilities to review all nominations received, research and interview potential nominees, and create balanced and diverse slates of candidates each year, in which all candidates would be strong trustees
  • Provides guidance and counsel to CTNAT members and potential alumni candidates throughout the election cycle
  • Oversees all communications pertaining to the CTNAT process
  • Works closely with the chair of the Alumni Council and the deputy vice president for alumni engagement / director of the Alumni Council to help identify and on-board members to serve on the committee
  • In partnership with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, stewards and supports the Young Alumni Trustee election process
  • Provides guidance and counsel to students interested in running for Young Alumni Trustee
  • Oversees all communications pertaining to the YAT process
     
• Academic Department Advisory Councils (35%)
  • In partnership with the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, identify and recommend Princetonians to serve on advisory councils for more than 50 academic departments
  • In partnership with Advancement colleagues, manage relationships with departmental faculty chairs, department managers, and senior alumni leaders
  • Provide departments with expertise in governance, volunteer management, and best practices
  • In partnership with colleagues in the Dean of Faculty’s Office and the Advancement Office, provides vision and leadership for university-wide engagement of advisory council members
     
• Volunteer Leadership Pipeline Development (15%)
  • In partnership with Advancement and campus colleagues, develop and maintain a robust pipeline of alumni to recommend for entry- through senior-level volunteer opportunities extending beyond the above referenced alumni trustee elections and advisory councils to volunteer roles for the Alumni Association, Annual Giving, and numerous campus partner opportunities (e.g., speakers, mentors, hosts, ambassadors, task forces, etc.)
  • Partner with Advancement and campus colleagues to create metrics-driven reports that reflect a comprehensive view of volunteer engagement, leveraging this data to identify up-and-coming leaders and steward proven volunteer leaders with “service laddering” opportunities
  • Partner with Advancement and campus colleagues to create more accessible entry points for alumni interested in volunteer service
     
• Other Duties as Assigned (10%)
  • Take on special projects from time to time as assigned by the AVP-AEO.

Qualifications:

•  Essential Formal Education: Bachelor’s degree
   
•  Essential Work Experience: 7+ years
   
•  Essential Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
  • Proven ability to develop and foster relationships with people at all levels of an organization, and to collaborate and influence at a high level
  • The ability to collaborate, listen well, and take the lead in problem-solving and consensus building
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills, and superb organizational skills; excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills
  • Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and in teams, with high personal standards representative of Princeton’s commitment to excellence
  • Discretion, good judgment and commitment to keep confidential all data related to Princeton and its alumni and donors
  • Ability to respond quickly to changing business needs and priorities.  Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to produce high-quality and compelling work product under tight deadlines. Ability to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Commitment to University Advancement’s mission of fostering alumni engagement and maximizing philanthropic support for Princeton University and to adhering to its guiding principles of High Performance, Innovation, Civility, and Collaboration
     
•  Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Experience, and Other Education:
  • Strong familiarity with Princeton University, its mission, and its global community of alumni
  • Strong familiarity with board of trustees and governance structures and processes
  • Strong volunteer management experience
  • Ability to authentically engage and inspire others as a representative of the Advancement Office