Communications & Events Specialist, Constituent Engagement

University of Portland; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Tuition remission benefits

Job summary

The University of Portland seeks a Communications & Events Specialist in Constituent Engagement to design communications, plan events, and strengthen connections among students, alumni, donors, volunteers, and the University. This role supports student philanthropy, advises student organizations on fundraising, and helps drive annual giving.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Constituent Engagement, you will oversee engagement programs, manage staff and budgets, and assess outcomes to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; two years relevant professional experience preferred.
• Experience in alumni engagement, fundraising, event planning or nonprofit leadership is desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop communications and outreach to promote engagement programs and events.
• Coordinate planning and execution of alumni, donor, student, and engagement events.
• Advise student organizations on fundraising and donor stewardship.

Skills

CRM systems

Email marketing platforms

Content creation

Event planning

Donor stewardship

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Two years relevant professional experience

Master’s degree

Higher ed experience

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title

Communications & Events Specialist, Constituent Engagement

Department

Alumni Relations Office

Job Code

C33504

Job category

Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours

Full Time Non-Exempt, 35 hour work week

Salary Range

Starting Hourly Wage $25.29; commensurate with experience

Job Summary

The Communications & Events Specialist develops communications, events, and engagement programs that strengthen connections among students, alumni, donors, volunteers, and the University. The position creates constituent communications, coordinates engagement events, supports student philanthropy and alumni programs, and provides operational leadership for assigned student philanthropy initiatives. The Specialist also advises student organizations on fundraising initiatives, supports student employment supervision, and evaluates program outcomes to enhance engagement and foster lifelong affinity with the University to drive annual giving. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Constituent Engagement.

Core Duties

• Develop and execute communications and outreach that promote alumni, donor, student, and University engagement programs, initiatives, and events.


• Create, edit, and distribute engaging content across email, digital platforms, newsletters, event promotions, and other constituent communications, highlighting University traditions, donor impact, student success, and engagement opportunities.


• Support in the planning and execution of assigned alumni, donor, student, and engagement events, including components of Alumni Weekend, regional and affinity programs, donor events, volunteer programs, and milestone celebrations.


• Manage event logistics, including venues, registration, catering, audiovisual needs, vendors, contracts, event materials, schedules, and onsite execution.


• Develop communications and promotional materials supporting regional and affinity chapter programs, volunteer engagement, and other alumni initiatives.


• Coordinate opportunities that connect students with alumni, donors, and volunteers to strengthen affinity and lifelong engagement with the University.


• Serve as the primary advisor and resource for student organizations engaged in fundraising activities, providing strategic guidance on fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and compliance with University policies and procedures.


• Support in the implementation of student philanthropy and engagement programs, inclusive of key leadership support with the STAT program, to foster a culture of engagement and lifelong connection to the University.


• Provide operational leadership for student engagement programs with overisght of staffing, workflows, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure effective program delivery and advance student engagement goals, working in collaboration with the Associate Director of Constituent Engagement, Student Programs and Young Alumni.


• Assess and evaluate student engagement programs and initiatives using participation data, student feedback, and established outcomes to measure effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement.


• Support in the supervision and mentorship of student employees as assigned. Supervisory responsibilities include hiring processes, setting of expectations, training and professional development, performance management and evaluations, and disciplinary processes including termination of employment.

Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s purview and responsibility.

Education & Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s degree


• Required: Two years of relevant professional experience in alumni engagement, fundraising, event planning, volunteer management, advancement, nonprofit leadership, or related field.


• Preferred: Master’s degree


• Preferred: Professional experience at an institution of higher education.


• Or a combination of equivalent education and/or experience.

Certifications & Licenses

• None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven ability to build relationships, manage cultivation of a portfolio, develop volunteer leadership, and create engagement strategies with measurable success.


• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to craft compelling content.


• Strong strategic planning and organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects and set priorities effectively.


• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.


• Effective ability to synthesize information and key initiatives to share with various audiences.


• Knowledge and proficiency with CRM systems, email marketing platforms and digital engagement tools.


• Strong orientation towards taking initiative and ownership of projects and assignments and being proactive with assignments and process improvements.


• Strong organizational and time management skills; excellent attention to detail and accuracy.


• Ability to think strategically, problem solve, make decisions with sound judgement.


• Effective ability to use and learn computers, technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and social media.


• Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.


• Ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of individuals, groups, policies, and processes.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.


• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.


• Occasionally: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.


• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and other audiences.

Working Conditions

• Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays when necessitated by projects.


• Work-related stress: sometimes there may be stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

Work Standards

• Respect for the University’s mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University’s mission statement states in relevant part: “we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world.” The University’s Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: “Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity.”
  
  
  • The full Mission Statement is at: www.up.edu/about/mission.
  
  
  • TThe full Statement of Inclusion is at: www.up.edu/disclosures/inclusion.
  
  


• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.


• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.


• Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting university business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.


• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

Benefits

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University’s home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Posting Number

S400-2023

Number of Vacancies

1

Open Until Filled

No