SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Director of Alumni Relations holds a pivotal role in the university’s advancement efforts, with a primary focus on fostering alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives. This position spearheads the development and execution of strategic fundraising plans aimed at enhancing alumni contributions, particularly towards the SFSA Endowed Scholarship and other identified university priorities. In addition to providing executive support to the Schreiner Former Student Association (SFSA), the Assistant Director cultivates strong relationships with alumni, oversees alumni programs, and ensures effective management of the alumni budget. Collaboration with the development team is integral, aligning efforts to maximize philanthropic support for the university. The Assistant Director also plays a key role in setting both short and long-term goals for the alumni program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Working alongside the development team, develops and implements comprehensive fundraising strategies to elevate alumni and former student giving, emphasizing support for the SFSA Endowed Scholarship and other institutional needs.• Orchestrates a spectrum of former student engagement activities, including mentoring programs, networking events, recruitment support endeavors, reunions, and homecoming (RECALL) programming.• Manages a portfolio of major alumni donors and prospects, nurturing relationships to drive philanthropic support.• Ensures the integrity and accuracy of alumni records, maintaining up-to-date databases.• Acts as the primary liaison between the University and SFSA, providing guidance and leadership to SFSA’s board of directors, committees, and members, while coordinating their activities with university initiatives.• Drives SFSA’s growth and development through strategic program design and implementation, aiming to enhance alumni involvement in advancing university objectives.• Represents alumni interests on relevant committees, engaging with senior university officials and volunteer leaders.• Collaborates with various university departments, including marketing, admissions, athletics, and student services, to coordinate former student engagement efforts effectively.• Evaluates program effectiveness and monitors outcomes to drive continuous improvement.• Assists in university advancement events and undertakes additional duties as delegated by the Director of Development.• Conducts research on comparable university alumni relations programs to identify best practices and innovative strategies for alumni engagement and fundraising.• Conducts surveys, interviews, and data analysis to better understand alumni interests, preferences, and needs, and using this information to inform program development and decision-making.• Administer recognition programs to honor outstanding alumni achievements and contributions.• Manages all platforms used for communication with Schreiner Alumni, including email, social media, website and mailed letters or solicitations.• Assists with university advancement events and performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Three years of successful work experience in a related field including, fundraising, public relations, direct marketing or sales, event planning, and volunteer management. Alumni work preferred.• Bachelor’s degree.• Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills.• Well organized, systematic thinker.• Ability and willingness to travel frequently, sometimes overnight.• Commitment to the mission and values of Schreiner University.• The ability to work with and motivate a broad spectrum of people, including entrepreneurs, professionals, executives, advisors, students, volunteers, faculty, and staff members.• Experience with and ability to develop and use computer applications and capabilities to produce correspondence, reports, and tools for analysis and review, i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, Access.• Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.• Driving is required. Must have a valid Texas driver’s license, related insurance, and good driving record.• Proven experience in and knowledge of the full spectrum of development including, solicitations, stewardship, donor recognition, high-level boards, volunteer groups, and administration. Advanced project management skills, including skills to plan and implement successful events.• Creative ability to conceptualize, develop, and implement programmatic activities from only very general guidelines. Proven success in initiating, planning, and strategically implementing cultivation opportunities through engagement. Knowledge of the principles and practices of developing and utilizing volunteer leadership.• Proven ability to work with a high level of independence, prioritize assignments, and departmental needs to meet deadlines. Demonstrated strong managerial, leadership, and communication skills.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of Schreiner University preferred.• Experience in a higher education preferred.• Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other donor management software preferred.

Schreiner University

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Assistant Director of Development – Alumni Relations