Associate Manager, Scarlet & Gray Success

The Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 68,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University is seeking an Associate Manager for Scarlet & Gray Success to lead operations across student engagement, alumni transitions, lifelong learning, mentoring pathways, and alumni travel programs. Translate strategy into actionable workplans and ensure programs function as connected pathways rather than standalone offerings.

In collaboration with the Director of Constituent Experiences, you will align deliverables, monitor progress, coach staff, and uphold service standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or Non-profit management.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience in fundraising and/or related program management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for the Scarlet & Gray Success portfolio spanning student engagement, alumni transition, lifelong learning, mentoring pathways, and alumni travel.
• Recruit, train, evaluate, and coach staff; manage performance and professional development; ensure resources and routines support delivery.
• Partner with the Director to align priorities, monitor progress, and coordinate cross-portfolio execution to meet goals.

Skills

Excel

Project management

Fundraising strategy

Donor engagement

Alumni programs

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Job description

Associate Manager, Scarlet & Gray Success

Reporting to the Director of Constituent Experiences, Strategy, the Associate Manager, Scarlet and Gray Success provides people leadership and day-to-day direction for a multi-area portfolio that advances lifelong engagement, through student engagement and alumni transition experiences, lifelong learning, alumni career and mentoring pathways, and alumni travel and related programs. This role operationalizes Constituent Experiences priorities by translating direction into annual and short‑term workplans, aligning timelines and team capacity across portfolio areas, and ensuring programs function as connected pathways rather than standalone offerings.

Working closely with the Director of Constituent Experiences, Strategy, the Associate Manager operationalizes Constituent Experiences priorities by aligning team deliverables, monitoring progress, and adjusting execution in support of unit priorities and broader university advancement goals, while maintaining a constituent‑centered approach that reflects Buckeyes’ evolving personal, professional, and intellectual needs over time.

The Associate Manager establishes and maintains consistent operating rhythms, documented procedures, and service standards to support high‑quality constituent experiences and reliable cross‑portfolio delivery.

The Associate Manager supervises staff, sets performance expectations, coaches and develops team members, and administers unit policies and procedures under the guidance of the Director. As applicable, the role partners and coordinates with alumni clubs/societies, volunteers, and governance bodies to support program delivery and constituent experience goals.

All members of External Affairs are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State University’s Shared Values. The Office of External Affairs is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

Duties and Responsibilities

60% Provide operational leadership for the Scarlet & Gray Success portfolio of assigned programs spanning student engagement/alumni transition, lifelong learning, alumni career and mentoring pathways, and alumni travel and related offerings. Oversee the delivery of lifelong learning experiences that support intellectual enrichment, personal development, and continued connection to Ohio State by coordinating timelines, deliverables, staffing plans, and operational readiness. Guide delivery of alumni career and mentoring pathways and related experiences designed to support professional outcomes (e.g., mentorship, networking, skill development, and career mobility) by aligning program operations, communications, and partner inputs. Translate direction into executable workplans (deliverables, timelines, staffing plans, risks/issues) and coordinate across portfolio areas so experiences operate as connected pathways rather than standalone offerings, align timelines, team capacity, and program operations to support consistent constituent experiences. Support alumni programs and services, including programs such as travel that enhance involvement opportunities across the alumni network. Establish, document, and continuously improve operating procedures, service standards, and workflows that enable consistent delivery and effective cross‑team coordination. Monitor program performance using defined metrics (e.g., participation, engagement outcomes, satisfaction/feedback, operational efficiency), analyze results and recommend adjustments to improve quality and impact. Manage assigned budgets and resources, track expenditure, support forecasting, and ensure fiscal practices follow unit and university procedures.

30% Recruits, trains, evaluates, motivates, and coaches employees of various backgrounds and identities, establishes and monitors goals, provides performance feedback and coaching, and supports professional development, completes annual performance management procedures, manages performance issues, is responsible for using independent, consistent and fair judgement in exercising authority, develops procedures, assigns and prioritizes work, and ensures that the resources needed to accomplish work are provided. Plan and assign work, prioritize across competing demands, assess progress, and adjust execution to meet short‑term goals and deliverables, administer policies and execute procedures under the guidance and oversight of the Director. Establish team routines and accountability practices that support consistent execution across multiple program areas, including cross‑coverage and workload balancing.

10% Partner closely with the Director of Constituent Experiences, Strategy to align priorities, share progress, and coordinate execution across the broader engagement ecosystem. Collaborate with internal partners and peers to share information, resolve matters and explain applicable policies, standards, and processes to enable consistent operations. Incorporate constituent listening (e.g., discovery conversations, feedback loops) into program improvement and, when appropriate, route actionable insights and qualified leads to development partners. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or Non-profit management.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience. in fundraising and/or related program management experience.

Desired Qualifications

We’re committed to building a team that reflects a variety of skills and experiences and encourages you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly

• Master's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or Non-profit management.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Experience building and implementing donor and engagement acquisition strategies.
• Experience working in healthcare philanthropy with an understanding of grateful patient fundraising.
• Experience with career management.
• Experience with constituent travel programs.
• Experience with a CRM such as a Blackbaud database.
• Proficiency in Excel and project management.
• Experience working in higher education.

The Office of External Affairs is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices.

You Need to Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the vibrant, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research. Learn more here: Careers at Ohio State.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17 this position has been designated as a standby position.

Additional Information

To learn more about the Office of External Affairs, please visit Advancement Careers.

The budget for this position is up to $85,300.00. The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications.

Function: Development and Engagement

Sub-function: Engagement and Alumni Relations

Career Band: People Leader - Managerial

Career Level: M1-Entry

Location:Longaberger Alumni House (0022)Position Type:RegularScheduled Hours:40Shift:First ShiftFinal candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.