Director of Alumni Engagement
FLSA Status: Exempt
Months Per Year: 12
Employment Status: Full-Time
Work Model: Hybrid Eligible*
Seattle
University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic
universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate,
graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for
defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender,
gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic
class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status,
political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle
University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who
learn, live and work at Seattle University.
Position Description
The University
Advancement Office is committed to creating an anti-racist
environment that addresses and works to eliminate inequities and all
forms of oppression, while celebrating different cultures.
We are looking for like-minded team members
from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
complex issues surrounding implicit bias, and other systemic oppressions, as
well as a commitment to the university’s mission, vision, and values, with the
goal of developing an equitable and inclusive work environment.
Purpose:
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement,
the Director of Alumni Engagement is a leadership position responsible for
developing and leading alumni engagement programming strategy.
The Director works collaboratively with Seattle University staff
and volunteer leadership to increase engagement with all alumni, in support of
the University and in support of alumni throughout their lifetime.
The Director of Alumni Engagement supervises staff, administers
program operations and assessment and provides direct operational leadership
for strategic engagement priorities and outcomes.
While this position works to engage all 90,000+ Seattle
University alumni with virtual, hybrid and/or in-person programming, they will
prioritize the methods needed to engage alumni of color, young alumni and
underrepresented communities to ensure that all alumni find value in and
feel they belong at any engagement program. This work begins with students, and
the Director of Alumni Engagement will prioritize and partner with
student-facing programming at Seattle University to engage and support the
entire lifecycle of a Seattle University alum.
Position Summary:
The
primary role for the Director is to design, build, sustain, and evaluate
programs that support the alumni community and ultimately lead to meaningful
alumni engagement with the University. This position oversees the Alumni
Engagement Team, which is comprised of three full-time Assistant Directors of
Engagement and, often, students and graduate assistants. This position serves
as the hiring authority for all Alumni Engagement Team members.
In
partnership with the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and the
Director of Annual Giving, the Director of Alumni Engagement will participate
in the creation of annual actionable strategic plans for holistic engagement of
alumni, beginning with the student experience and continuing throughout the
life of an alum. The Director will collaborate within University Advancement
and throughout the University to ensure that engagement efforts are efficient
and connect to overall University goals and priorities. This includes a high
priority to partner with Admissions, Student Life, Career Services, Athletics, Campus
Ministry and schools, colleges, and centers of the University.
The Director of Alumni Engagement will align engagement
strategies and priorities to Seattle University’s Strategic Directions: A
Jesuit University of Distinction for a Time of Change.
The Director oversees the successful implementation of
the engagement events led by the engagement team, requiring significant
experience and fluency in all aspects of program and event development,
planning, implementation, and evaluation.
The Director will demonstrate exceptional
leadership qualities, be mission centered, have an open, creative
problem-solving approach, strong relationship-building skills, and a strong
understanding of and experience with building and supporting diverse and
inclusive teams.
Leadership and Management (40%)
- Supervise, lead and develop the Alumni Engagement Team, fostering a collaborative, supportive and inclusive environment.
- Lead the Alumni Engagement Team in developing programming that supports and engages the student and alumni communities in alignment with OAE, SU and UA strategy.
- Support the Alumni Engagement Team with professional development opportunities and trainings.
Strategy, Operations and
Assessment (40%)
- Work across the Alumni Association, University Advancement and campus partners to develop high quality engagement opportunities for students and alumni.
- Implement feedback mechanisms and assessment tools to drive data driven improvements.
- Oversee budget and resources for alumni engagement programs.
- Serve on the Alumni Engagement Leadership Team, working closely with the Director of Annual Giving and Assistant VP of Alumni Engagement.
- Partner with University Advancement team members to produce engagement opportunities, support key unit and center priorities (e.g. major anniversaries, building launches, etc.) that involve alumni support, and ensure work is aligned across the Advancement team.
- Work across all areas of University Advancement and the University to cultivate and maintain relationships with campus partners, student leadership groups, and administrative offices with the goal of building community and engagement experiences for students.
Volunteer Engagement (15%)
- Partner successfully with Chapters and Affinity Groups to build and create engagement opportunities.
- Meet with volunteer leadership, alumni and donors frequently to learn about their hopes for engagement practices, and to share OAE and SU strategy and plans.
Administration (5%)
- Record
personal visits with alumni, volunteers, donors and prospects in alumni
and donor database.
- Oversee the management, ordering, and storage of OAE event supplies and swag.
- Perform other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Previous experience in administering/coordinating events and programs.
- Experience with event/program planning. Knowledge of events management and how to support with marketing.
- Bachelor’s degree or five years equivalent work experience.
- Willing and able to work during nonstandard business hours, which will include evenings and weekends.
- Willingness to travel, as required.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of individuals and strong leadership skills.
- Strong leadership and project management skills.
- Supervisory experience, ranging from students and graduate assistants to varying professional staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in the successful development, implementation and coordination of Alumni Relations based events and programs in the education sector.
- Experience successfully working with/managing volunteers and student workers.
- Ability to work proficiently with database programs, preferably Blackbaud and Raiser’s Edge products.
- Strong knowledge of budgetary procedures, process and fiscal responsibilities.
- Experience in student life, such as student government/programming, student clubs, sports, or other similar groups.
- Experience working with volunteers, including training, mobilizing and supporting.
Application Instructions
Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.
Compensation at a Glance:
Salary Range: $95,000 - $106,000
Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents
its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the
time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be
determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected
candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity
considerations, and available market information, and not based on a
candidate’s gender or any other protected status.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.
Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement
contributions that add to your total compensation package.
Benefits at a Glance:
Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution
for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution
and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to
a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/
Hybrid Eligible*
This
position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule after successful completion of
an introductory work period of 3-6 months. This may mean that a hybrid eligible
role will begin on-campus initially and then will transition to hybrid format
following onboarding and training. Flexible work plans are subject to periodic
review and may be changed or terminated at any time for any reason at the
university’s discretion.