Director of Alumni Engagement

Loyola University New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola University New Orleans seeks a Director of Alumni Engagement to lead the university's efforts to inspire alumni, parents, and friends toward volunteer work, philanthropy, career networking, and advancement.

The role includes planning and executing Commencement, coordinating events, forecasting budgets, and partnering with UA staff to engage alumni across campuses and communities. Travel and evening/weekend commitments are required.

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of professional level work in alumni or volunteer management, university relations, fundraising, or related field.
• Strong organizational abilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to plan sequential and concurrent programs.
• Expertise in event planning and budget management.
• Experience supervising exempt and non-exempt professionals.
• Willingness to travel and participate in evening and weekend advancement activities.
• Understanding of and commitment to the Ignatian mission of Loyola University New Orleans.
• Graduate or professional degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead alumni engagement strategy for Loyola alumni, parents, and friends.
• Plan and execute Commencement and related events.
• Coordinate fundraising and engagement campaigns with UA staff.
• Forecast expenditures and manage office budgets.
• Represent the office on committees and at events locally and nationally.
• Oversee Alumni Association activities and volunteer programs.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs on recruitment activities.
• Travel as needed for events and partner outreach.
• Supervise staff and volunteers across programs.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Event planning

Budget management

Staff supervision

Travel flexibility

Ignatian mission understanding

Education

Graduate or professional degree

Job description

Under the supervision of the Vice President of University Advancement, it is the responsibility of Director of Alumni Engagement to oversee and coordinate the university’s efforts to inspire Loyola alumni, parents, and friends toward fruitful engagement with the university as manifested in volunteer work, philanthropy, career networking and advancement, prospective student recruitment, and other areas.The Director of Alumni Engagement is also responsible for the planning and successful execution of Commencement, the event at which Loyola students become Loyola alumni.

Examples of Duties

Serve as the campus leader in two primary areas:

Alumni Relations

• Commencement planning and execution.
• Serve as a member of the Advancement leadership team and as team leader for the Office of Alumni Engagement; supervise activities; supervise staff in implementing programs.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Vice President of University Advancement and other Advancement team members in planning and executing comprehensive, targeted, and annual fundraising and engagement campaigns.
• Effectively forecast and maintain expenditures for the office including oversight of the operating and event revenue budgets.
• When needed, represent the office of university advancement on university committees and at university events locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Facilitate the planning and assessment of annual and long-range goals and objectives designed to engage alumni in the life of the university.
• Develop programs and events to engage alumni, parents, and other constituents, and strengthen their ties with Loyola, with success measured in terms of event attendance, volunteer hours provided to the university by alumni and other volunteers, and alumni giving measured in donor and dollar count.
• Work with University Advancement (UA) staff, to identify, and qualify new volunteer and philanthropic leaders.
• Serve as the university’s liaison with all alumni, and any organization or associations representing these volunteers.
• Encourage administrative and faculty communication with alumni.
• Work with the Offices of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to coordinate alumni support of recruiting and student and parent activities and solicitations.
• Facilitate the planning and coordination of alumni association activities.
• Oversee the activities of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Young Alumni Pack, and College of Law Alumni Board.
• Coordinate all alumni activities, including reunions, chapter activities, service oriented and spirituality-based programing
• Develop programs to introduce students to the Alumni Association before graduation.
• Identify, recruit, and train chapter leadership and volunteers.Assist with the planning, implementation, and follow-up of alumni chapter activities.
• Identify affinity groups of alumni and design programs and activities that will serve each constituency.

Coordinate with Development Team on solicitation of annual gifts from all university volunteers.

• Serve as the chair of the Commencement Committee.Oversee the Commencement budget and coordinate all Commencement activities among the various colleges and departments of the University. Supervise the work of the Special Events Manager, who is the primary logistical manager for Commencement.
• Oversee successful and inspiring Commencement exercises for the university as a whole and for its constituent colleges and programs as needed.
• Frequently work evenings and weekends and travel to fulfill essential duties.
• Monthly travel to support alumni engagement events and volunteer management
• Other duties as assigned

Essential Qualifications:

• Minimum of seven years of previous professional level work in alumni or volunteer management, university relations, fundraising, or related field in a university or equivalent institution.
• Strong organizational abilities.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to prepare sequential and concurrent plans for several programs.
• Expertise in event planning and budget management
• Experience supervising exempt and non-exempt professionals.
• Proven record of organizing, inspiring, and supporting volunteers and a volunteer structure.
• Must be willing to travel and participate in evening and weekend advancement activities.
• Understanding of and professional commitment to the Ignatian mission of Loyola University New Orleans and the Society of Jesus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate or professional degree

In accordance with the Campus Security Act as amended, Loyola University publishes annually and distributes to members of the academic community, and upon request to prospective (students/employees), an annual security report.That report includes current policies and procedures of the University Police Department for the reporting of campus crimes, notifying the campus community of occurrence of campus crimes, policies regarding access to campus buildings, the enforcement authority of the University Police Officers and their relationship to local police.University policies on the possession, use and sale of alcohol and illegal drugs are outlined. The Campus sexual Assault Program and policy is described.Campus crime statistics as defined under this law for the last three calendar years are included.A copy of this report may be secured from the (Office of Admissions), (Office of Human Resources), or from the University Police Department.

• Loyola University New Orleans does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran's status or national origin in its educational programs or activities, including employment and admissions. At the same time, Loyola cherishes its right to seek and retain personnel who will make a positive contribution to its religious character, goals, and mission in order to enhance the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.