Associate Director of Alumni Engagement

Montclair State University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 76,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Montclair State University is seeking an Associate Director of Alumni Engagement to build a stronger alumni network and foster lifelong connections. The role includes planning events, managing programs, and coordinating with Annual Giving to grow donor pipelines.

You will develop targeted alumni programs, supervise student workers, and collaborate with campus and community partners to advance university priorities while delivering excellent service to alumni and students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in higher education or related field.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to develop program goals and procedures.
• Ability to plan and implement engagement programs/events/activities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement programs and activities for assigned alumni segments, including events, communications, benefits, and partnerships.
• Develop relationships with alumni and students through meetings, emails, and events to strengthen connection to the University.
• Manage a portfolio of annual giving prospects and cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
• Lead volunteers and committees to achieve engagement goals aligned with institutional priorities.
• Monitor budgets, analyze data, and generate reports to inform decisions.
• Collaborate with Annual Giving to increase giving and pipeline development.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Event planning

Relationship building

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Job Description SUMMARY

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement is responsible for building and strengthening the alumni network by planning and implementing engagement opportunities which foster lifelong mutually enriching connections, support University priorities and initiatives, create an inclusive community among alumni, current and prospective students and the University, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy, including events and programs, benefits and services, communications, volunteer opportunities, and campus and community partnerships. The Associate Director oversees designated segments of the engagement program, and does related work as required. The Associate Director works closely with Annual Giving to increase individual giving and pipeline development through the identification, engagement, cultivation and solicitation of annual gifts as well as through the development and support of targeted constituent giving programs.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan and implement programs/activities for assigned segments of the alumni engagement program, comprising events and activities, benefits and services, communications, volunteer opportunities and campus/community partnerships, including all logistics from space reservations, catering and speaker confirmation through marketing and follow up. Develop relationships with alumni and students through meetings, phone calls, e-mails and events / programs, to build and strengthen their connection to the University. Develop targeted constituent programs for assigned segments in support of giving; continuously review and evaluate programs; develop and implement improved methods as required. Manage a portfolio of annual giving prospects with the responsibility for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects/donors annually. Work to generate major gift leads through new and existing annual giving donors. Set goals and objectives for assigned segments, and develop strategies and action plans to achieve outcomes. Develop, recommend, monitor and revise budgets for assigned program segments. Compile, summarize and analyze statistical and other data and reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Lead alumni and student volunteer committees / groups; manage time, activity and expectations to achieve goals in support of institutional priorities. Establish and maintain communication and cooperative working relationships with fellow administrators, faculty, staff, students and student organizations, government and private agencies and/or the community in order to accomplish the objectives of the engagement program. Develop and conduct market research (surveys, roundtable discussions, interviews) as needed. Identify and implement technology to enhance the engagement program; advance proficiency in use of alumni database for contact/prospect and event management, tracking, information updates, reporting; keep up to date on website development, online community functionality, social networking. Provide outstanding customer service to all constituents including alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and the community; field phone calls, e-mails and walk-in visits. Supervise student workers as needed, develop performance standards, conduct performance evaluations. Maintain integrity and appropriate confidentiality in alumni/donor engagement program operations. Create and deliver detailed correspondence / e- and print communications, including event announcements/invitations and registration forms. Serve on standing and ad hoc committees as required. Maintains essential records and files. Perform other duties as assigned. Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in an institution of higher education, or other field that is directly related to the functions of the position to be filled.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively in developing program goals, policies and procedures for assigned segments of the engagement program.
• Ability to plan and implement engagement programs/events/activities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to set priorities and meet deadlines, while balancing multiple projects and performing assignments accurately.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of budget planning, development and administration.
• Ability to work evening and weekend events as required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and vehicle/access to transportation.

PREFERRED

• Master's degree from an accredited university.
• Experience in alumni engagement in higher education.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of an alumni engagement program purpose, goals, and objectives.
• Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising and the ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle.
• Experience managing and evaluating staff performance and objectives.
• Familiarity with and use of Raiser's Edge and other engagement platforms.

Salary Range $76,486.40-$95,599.98 Annually

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.

• Health insurance
• Retirement plans
• Tuition assistance

For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/

Department Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement

Position Type Professional - Non-Faculty

Inclusion Statement

Montclair State University values access and educational excellence. We are committed to an environment of diverse perspectives which ensures that graduates will be civically engaged, committed to democracy, and prepared to thrive as global citizens. We foster a community that promotes varied experiences and voices. We seek applicants who will contribute diverse ideas and perspectives and who value an environment that promotes educational growth and advancement for all.

EEO/AA Statement

Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity. Additional information can be found on the website at www.montclair.edu/human-resources/about-us/eo-aa-and-diversity/

Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy

Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities. The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/

About Us

Building on a distinguished history dating back to 1908, Montclair State University has evolved from an institution that was a recognized leader in teacher education to an R2 research institution ranked as one of the 100 best public doctoral universities in the nation. The University serves 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with more than 300 doctoral, master's and baccalaureate programs provided by 13 colleges and schools. Situated on a beautiful 252-acre campus just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair delivers the instructional and research resources of a large public university while retaining the supportive and personalized academic environment that provides a feeling of community more typical of smaller institutions. Montclair State University is proud to be committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in its recruitment and employment practices. The University is an inclusive, richly diverse community that fosters mutual respect, tolerance and understanding among all students and employees.