ALUMNI GENERAL - Director Alumni

Job Classification

  Salaried Administrative

Position summary

The Director of Alumni Services serves as an ambassador charged with developing, coordinating, and directing alumni activities for Andrews University by performing the following duties for more than 84,000 alumni and 10,668 students (3,551 enrolled on campus, 3,686 affiliate/extension sites and 3,431 Griggs University). Motivated to advance the mission and goals of Andrews University, while maintaining the pathways for alumni participation and engagement.

The Office of Alumni Services serves as a gateway of communication between the University and its alumni constituents, thus collaboration with administrators and colleagues is a must.

Qualifications summary

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required, Andrews University granted degree is highly preferred, as this person will serve as an advocate of the alumni population and affinity to the institution is crucial.

Three or more years of related managerial work experience in special events management, public relations, marketing and/or fund raising is required. Must be familiar with various forms of electronic communications, have good mathematical & problem solving skills.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

• Functions as contributing editor for Focus magazine and serves as a member of the Focus Advisory Board.


• Creates an annual operating strategy in accordance with overall University and Advancement strategic goals, while reflecting on the progress of alumni goals.


• Communicates and promotes the overall mission and strategic initiatives of the University to alumni constituents.


• Prepares and manages the Office of Alumni Services operating budget.


• Collaborates with fund-raising activities and campaign initiatives with the Office of Development, interfacing with the overall strategies of Advancement.


• Serves as an active member of the Legacy of Leadership Campaign.


• Represents alumni constituents by participating in President's Council meetings.


• Maintains an accurate and secure alumni database, by overseeing the evaluation and training of data entry processes.


• Initiates data mining every two years, in order to increase the number of contactable alumni.


• Creates and manages a new alumni print directory every five years.


• Plans, promotes and conducts nearly 100 annual events: 45-50 events during Homecoming weekend, 5-10 campus events and 40-50 regional events each year.


• Travels extensively with the fundraising team to connect with alumni and potential donors, which requires travel and weekend commitments.


• Identify and referral First face alumni engagement


• Active member of fundraising team Intricately involved in phase one and phase two of fundraising efforts.


• Promotes connectivity and engagement through the alumni community AU&ME, alumni website and various social media tools such as LinkedIn, Flickr, Twitter etc. 


• Communicates, promotes and collects valuable data via monthly alumni e-newsletters.


• Maintains the Alumni House as a center of hospitality and school spirit for alumni, current students, and university employees.


• Engages current students in the life of Andrews University, to establish life-long relationships with their alma mater. Serves on the Acceptance to University Committee and hosts annual events such as Lend-A-Hand Move-In, New Student Barbeque and the Alumni vs. Student Hockey game.


• Protects and promotes the history and traditions of Andrews University to both on and off campus constituency.


• Responds and manages queries from alumni constituents, resolving complaints in a timely and customer service centered manner.


• Continually explores ways to expand, enhance and maximize the benefits associated with alumni status.


• Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Advancement.

Supervisory responsibilities

• Supervises and evaluates the Assistant Director/Market Analyst, Office Manager/Alumni Records Manager, and student workers, ensuring they are adequately trained and the department functions according to the highest standards of professionalism. Leads team meetings in identifying and assessing best practices.


• Serves as the Executive Director of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Schedules, coordinates and facilitates monthly board meetings.  Recruits, engages and communicates with a team of at least 12 board members.


• Presents the annual Honored Alumni of Achievement awards and is actively involved in the complete process of collecting nominations, voting and awarding honorees.


• Coordinates volunteers; develops relationships with alumni who are willing to serve. Recruits, trains and communicates with alumni volunteers.


• Represents Andrews University; through professional memberships, booth assignments and/or serving as a presenter at conventions and conferences such as the General Conference, Adventist Laymen's Services (ASI), Philanthropic Services for Institutions (PSI) and Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).


• Serves as project manager for Alumni Homecoming each fall. Implements up to 50 University events to be held during the four-day weekend, each requiring advance planning and committee assignments. Also responsible for communication and promotional pieces such as: overall weekend and individual event brochures, Lake Union Herald ads, features in Focus, Save the Date postcard, honor reunion postcards, broadcast emails, e-newsletters and so forth.


• Continually assesses departmental procedures and processes.  Serves as a member on the Assessment Committee, plays an ongoing role in the University accreditation process and conducts post-event surveys.


• Assigns and supports reunion leaders for honor classes.  Particularly the 50^th reunion, with their class gift and special reunion projects.  Which may entail committee meetings and making any necessary requests and follow-through inquiries.


• Manages overall day-to-day operations of the alumni office.


• Serves on various campus committees. 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Ability to manage volunteers effectively and projects efficiently.


• Flexible; willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.


• Ability to effectively communicate both in writing and verbally before small and large groups.


• Budget management experience, word processing and spreadsheet skills.


• Proficiency in various computer technologies as well as experience with Microsoft Office suite.


• Experience with computer databases, preferably Banner, word processing software and spreadsheets.


• Commitment to higher education and cultural diversity.


• Ability to work independently as well as establish and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse constituency.


• Successful clearance of a criminal conviction record check.

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

• Budget management experience, word processing and spreadsheet skills.


• Proficiency in various computer technologies as well as experience with Microsoft Office suite.


• Experience with computer databases, preferably Banner, word processing software and spreadsheets.

Interpersonal interactions

• Value individuals as persons and promotes the dignity of the human. 


• Function as a team builder across the university and external communities.


• Work effectively in, and promote, the multicultural environment of Andrews University.


• Be a visionary who can create and implement a strong vision for the University. 

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and required to stand and walk.  





 

Work environment

Normal office environment. Attend meetings across campus.