Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Asbury University; Wilmore, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Asbury University in Wilmore, KY seeks an Assistant Director of Alumni Relations to cultivate lifelong relationships with alumni and create opportunities for connection, service, and philanthropic partnership.

The role leads alumni programs, communications, and data initiatives, while supporting the University's ministry and academic-spiritual mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Graduate of Asbury University preferred.
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, organizational and strategic planning skills and the ability to fully implement and assess plans/projects.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel, social media platforms and databases.
• Event planning and database management experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills along with the ability to show hospitality toward our Alumni Guests on campus.
• Someone able to manage challenges while maintaining a positive and professional outlook.
• A committed and dynamic Christian faith is vital with the ability to support the University’s theological position, lifestyle standards and mission.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and plan the annual Reunion Event, including vendor management and logistics.
• Manage assigned event budgets, contracts, invoices, purchasing, and vendor relationships.
• Coordinate alumni engagement events, especially with young alumni within 15 years of graduation.
• Assist with alumni board meetings and logistics for meetings.
• Oversee daily management of communication: social media, mailings, invitations, and the Alumni webpage.
• Assist with Commencement activities including gift distribution and class composites.
• Represent the Alumni Office on the data team and coordinate data requests.
• Develop an annual engagement calendar with goals, budgets, timelines, and staffing plans.
• Assist with two annual Launching Well retreats and supervise alumni student workers.
• Create programs that foster engagement and philanthropic support within Asbury community.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Strategic planning

Communication

Hospitality

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Adaptability

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Asbury University graduate preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Social media platforms

CRM / database management

Job description

Reports to: Director of Alumni & Church Relations

Job Purpose:

The Assistant Director of Alumni Relations advances Asbury University’s mission by cultivating lifelong, meaningful relationships with alumni—particularly recent graduates—and by creating opportunities for connection, service, volunteer leadership, and philanthropic partnership. Reporting to the Director of Alumni & Church Relations, this role leads and supports alumni programs, communications, volunteer engagement, event operations, and constituent-data initiatives in collaboration with colleagues across Advancement and the University. An important part of the position is supporting the ministry and mission of the University and advancing the academic excellence and spiritual vitality of our University and students. Each employee plays an important role in the development of the Christian faith in our students.

Essential Functions:

• Requires a very strong logistics and event planning individual to support the many activities coordinated through the Alumni department.
• Celebrate and serve alumni, working with the Director to identify potential leaders and connectors.
• Work with the Director to plan, coordinate, interview, schedule, implement and evaluate the annual Reunion Event, including vendor management, scheduling logistics and Reunion Ambassadors management. (NOTE: Annual Alumni Reunion is a significant focus of this role.)
• Manage assigned event budgets, contracts, invoices, purchasing, and vendor relationships in accordance with Asbury University policies.
• Coordinate alumni engagement events from ideation to execution that will provide opportunities to reconnect with and grow affinity for Asbury University and each other, working primarily with young alumni (alumni within 15 years of graduation).
• Assist with planning and coordination of alumni board meetings and activities and logistics surrounding the meeting.
• Coordinate and implement the daily management of communication, including social media, mailings, invitations, and the Alumni webpage.
• Assist with Alumni involvement in Commencement activities (gift distribution and senior class composite).
• Represent the Alumni Office on the data team, managing and coordinating data requests and needs.
• Develop an annual engagement calendar with goals, budgets, timelines, staffing plans, and post-event evaluation.
• Assist the Director with planning two “Launching Well” retreats each year.
• Oversee Alumni student workers and responsibilities in the Alumni Department.
• Create and develop programs and events that foster a culture of engagement and philanthropic support through the Asbury community, campus, and with key stakeholders.
• Work with class advisors and class cabinets to ensure the persistence of Class Identity to lay a foundation for future participation and giving.
• Actively seek and update alumni information.
• Collect and prepare reports as necessary from SLATE, the data management system.
• Serve as a representative of Asbury University and her alumni.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical requirements:

This role regularly requires the ability to communicate effectively; operate standard office equipment; and move throughout office, campus, and event settings. The employee may occasionally need to stand or walk for extended periods, set up or assist with event materials, and lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position, and normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.The position may also require occasional evening, weekend, and travel-related work associated with alumni events and University programs.

Travel:

Minimal travel is expected for this position.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Graduate of Asbury University preferred.
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, organizational and strategic planning skills and the ability to fully implement and assess plans/projects.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office, specifically in Word and Excel, social media platforms and databases.
• Event planning and database management experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills along with the ability to show hospitality toward our Alumni Guests on campus.
• Somone able to manage challenges while maintaining a positive and professional outlook.
• A committed and dynamic Christian faith is vital with the ability to support the University’s theological position, lifestyle standards and mission.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Institutional Commitment:

Asbury University is an independent, Christian, liberal arts university in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. In the desire to be a more inclusive community, reflective of the Kingdom of God, we especially encourage applications from women and from candidates from various ethnic backgrounds. At Asbury University, employees must display a committed and dynamic Christian faith along with the ability to support the University’s theological position, lifestyle standards, and mission. Candidates must agree, support and adhere to University policies and procedures – including the Faculty Manual, Community Standards Guidelines, Human Sexuality Statement, and the Standard of Conduct for employees. Asbury University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, or handicap in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.