Alumni + Family Relations Project Coordinator

Rhode Island School of Design; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island School of Design in Providence is seeking an Alumni + Family Relations Project Coordinator to support a portfolio of alumni clubs and campus initiatives within Institutional Advancement.

You will coordinate communications, events, and volunteer activities, track project plans, assist with newsletters and web content, and collaborate with campus partners to ensure smooth operations while upholding RISD's commitment to equity and engagement.

Qualifications

• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of colleagues and contribute to inclusive culture.
• Knowledge of digital and diverse mediums of communication.
• Strong time management; ability to multitask to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Database entry and reporting experience (Raiser's Edge preferred); strong MS Office skills.
• Ability to write persuasively and have strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, engaging nature.
• Ability to speak in public and present in meetings.
• Ability to interact professionally with senior staff and alumni.
• Ability to monitor and track budgets and expenses.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of alumni clubs (12–20) and recruit/coordinate volunteers.
• Provide operational coordination for internal projects using PM tools and tracking.
• Develop project plans and execute communications for websites, social media, email campaigns.
• Collect and post alumni content for events and monthly newsletters.
• Create forms, registrations, invitations, and notifications; support campus events.
• Assist with special assignments and onboarding, research, and benchmarks.
• Monitor budgets and expenses across projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Digital communications

Time management

Teamwork

Persuasive writing

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Budget tracking

Database experience

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Alumni + Family Relations Project Coordinator

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a new Alumni + Family Relations Project Coordinator to join its division of Institutional Advancement (IA). IA is responsible for engaging RISD’s alumni, parents, students and donors in meaningful ways and encouraging them to financially support the college.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Alumni + Family Relations, the Alumni + Family Relations Officer and Project Coordinator (ARO) is responsible for supporting a portfolio of existing and emerging alumni clubs in secondary and emerging alumni markets. The ARO also serves as the Alumni + Family Relations coordinator for logistics and communications in support of all clubs. The incumbent will liaise with and between key internal and campus partners to ensure efficient operations and workflow across campus partners as well as councils such as AALC (Alumni Association Leadership Council).

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions

1. Manage a portfolio of existing and emerging alumni clubs (estimated to be 12-20) including recruitment and management of volunteers; providing guidance and direction on club activities; managing communications between clubs and members.
2. Provides operational coordination for internal and campus partner projects and initiatives utilizing project management tools and software, including:
   • a. documenting, tracking and monitoring identified project scope, deadlines, assignments and goals. Proactively alert Executive Director to progress, potential needs and obstacles and make suggestions as appropriate;
   • b. monitoring and tracking project plans for alumni events such as regional club and affinity group events, lifelong learning programming and ensure overall operational logistical elements within the division are working together from concept to execution;
   • c. In partnership with divisional colleagues, develops a project plan and executes communications initiatives and promotions for academic and administrative departmental websites, social media channels, email campaigns and other communications channels.
3. Collect and post content on alumni website relating to events and activities of interest to alumni and/or supported by the Office of Alumni + Family Relations. Collect web content, calendar postings, campus news, and alumni programs/opportunities of interest to assist in creation of monthly e-newsletter for alumni.
4. Create forms/applications, online event registration, invitations and notifications using various web applications, and email. Support on-campus events, including RISD and reunion weekend, alumni club events by creating email blasts, and calendar entries. Support, directly and indirectly, alumni social media ambassadors to advocate for and disseminate news and events from the College.

Additional Functions

1. Takes on temporary special assignments and projects at the direction of the Executive Director, which may include work in support of any of the individual units within IA. Examples may include:
   • a. Coordinating and scheduling candidate interviews and supporting Executive Director with new hire onboarding;
   • b. performing benchmark research on other institutions;
   • c. gathering and completing specific research for projects and initiatives.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of divisional and institutional colleagues, within an environment that values diversity as defined by, race, color, religion, age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Must have knowledge of, or experience with digital, and diverse mediums of communication.
• Strong time management skills. Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and under deadlines.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated database entry and reporting experience (Raiser's Edge preferred) and strong computer skills in programs such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
• Ability to write persuasively and have strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and engaging nature.
• Ability to comfortably and effectively speak in public and make presentations in meetings.
• Ability to interact and correspond professionally with senior staff and distinguished alumni.
• Ability to monitor and track budgets and expenses.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum two years of experience in an office setting is required; experience in the higher education or nonprofit sector is greatly preferred.