Executive Director of Volunteer Leadership Engagement

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

The Executive Director of Volunteer Leadership Engagement is a dynamic and strategic leader responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive constituent volunteer engagement infrastructure, planning, and programming for the George Washington University. The Executive Director will develop and lead a comprehensive strategy to nurture university-wide volunteer leadership and foster a culture of philanthropy mindset throughout our alumni and university-level volunteers.

As a senior advancement professional with experience in strategic planning and volunteer engagement, the Executive Director will bring a track record of success in advancement leadership positions. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, this position will closely partner with university stakeholders (deans, directors, vice presidents, advancement staff, alumni, friends, and donors) to create and maintain a vision for the overall strategy to strengthen, deepen, integrate, and align volunteer leaders to the university’s priorities. They will develop effective volunteer engagement and recognition opportunities to complement the Advancement Division’s priorities and goals. The Executive Director will direct opportunities for high-capacity alumni to serve in volunteer positions that align with their interests. The Executive Director will build their own relationships with leadership volunteers across the university.

Building upon a deep commitment to diversity and inclusiveness that ensures that all volunteers feel respected, valued and engaged, the Executive Director will have both direct and indirect team oversight. Reporting directly, the ED will supervise the Director of the GW Alumni Association, who oversees the alumni association as an umbrella organization for chartered and unchartered alumni groups, and the Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement, who will support all volunteer activities particularly as it relates to data collection and metrics analysis. Plan are in place to add another direct report to lead a presidential advisory group separate and distinct from the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director will have dotted line supervision and collaboration with the volunteer staff leaders in Health and Med and Family Philanthropy to ensure alignment and best practices.

The Executive Director is responsible for planning and organizing an Annual Volunteer Leadership Summit including all key volunteer groups including members of GW’s Board of Trustees, School/Unit Councils, GW Alumni Association, Family Leadership Volunteers, etc. The first summit is anticipated for FY ’26.

The successful candidate will demonstrate significant experience and success in building effective strategies for volunteer engagement in support of university priorities and campaign goals. The successful candidate will have experience in developing a strategic direction and goals for university-level volunteer engagement and overseeing a team that works across divisions within a university to successfully realize goals.

Key Responsibilities:
Develop a Comprehensive Volunteer Engagement Plan for GW

• Develop, implement, and manage a strategic plan for the volunteer program area, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic plan and fundraising goals.
• Work closely with the development team to align volunteer pipeline activities with the prospect management pipeline, ensuring a cohesive approach to alumni engagement and giving and a focus on alumni who can actively participate in a campaign
• Grow volunteer engagement opportunities, incorporating quantitative and qualitative metrics to define and measure program success. Conduct annual assessments to ensure alignment with strategic goals.

Develop a University-wide strategic volunteer management system infrastructure:

• Create Volunteer Management System to comprehensively track, manage, and report volunteer leadership at GW.
• Establish a systematic and ongoing approach to identify, evaluate, and prioritize volunteer leadership opportunities for all constituents and provide tailored volunteer opportunities for all constituents with high capacity.
• Identify, cultivate and steward high-potential volunteers, guiding their progression into increasingly responsible leadership roles within the university
• Establish, measure and report quarterly on key metrics for success in volunteer growth
• Work with DAR leaders to create systems that demonstrate volunteer growth, engagement and pipeline development

Programmatic Oversight and Campus Coordination

• Plan and execute a university-wide Annual Volunteer Leadership Summit.
• With the AVP of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, strengthen and expand the GW Alumni Association (GWAA) structure, outreach, and operating principles.
• With the guidance of the Vice President of Development, the AVP of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, and Associate Vice President of Principal Gifts, create a new high-level volunteer structure that serves as strategic advisors to the President of GW, not to conflict with the Board of Trustees governance roles and responsibilities.
• Ensure alignment of other campus volunteers; share best practices to school/unit advisory councils
• Foster collaboration with various program areas within DAR and across the campus to integrate volunteer leadership into broader university initiatives.
• Create and maintain volunteer management guidelines that align with prospect management practices, ensuring consistency and best practices across the program.
• Develop, assess, and enhance volunteer training and recognition programs to ensure they support the overall alumni affairs strategic plan, campaign, and fundraising goals.
• Partner with campus leaders on their volunteer opportunities to ensure alignment and proper tracking
• Formalize volunteer recognition program that celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of volunteers, fostering a culture of appreciation and ongoing engagement

Staff Leadership

• Recruit, manage, and develop a talented team of 2, possibly 3, staff, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that supports professional growth and aligns with the university’s mission and goals.
• Provide dotted-line oversight to 2 indirect reports in Health and Med and Family Philanthropy
• Provide mentorship and guidance to campus partners as it relates to volunteer engagement staff, ensuring professional growth and alignment with the university’s strategic goals.
• Provide consistent reporting to DAR and campus partners about volunteer giving and best practices when it comes to volunteer solicitation

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated and extensive experience in Advancement, particularly in constituent volunteer engagement and management is desired.
• Knowledge of best practices in board structure, governance and management
• Strong strategic leadership, management and organizational skills
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of fundraising and engagement strategies under an Advancement model in a large university setting
• Flexible and open to new ideas, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities in a changing environment
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills to develop relationships with high-capacity individuals
• Works effectively and cooperatively with others, offering support and building relationships to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and program analysis preferred
• Shows initiative, creativity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, striving to achieve individual and organizational goals.
• Ability to foster impactful long-term relationships with volunteers, staff and campus partners
• Experience in overseeing and managing personnel and/or a team
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with effective listening abilities and a collaborative approach to problem-solving
• Demonstrates respect for diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives, promoting a welcoming environment for all.

Hiring Range

$88,562.15 - $154,055.84

GW Staff Approach to Pay

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:

Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:

Development & Alumni Relations

Family

Dev & Alumni Relations

Sub-Family

Alumni Relations

Stream

Management

Level

Level 3

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time

Hours Per Week:

40

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (daytime hours)Occasional evenings/weekends Domestic travel

Will this job require the employee to work on site?

Yes

Employee Onsite Status

Hybrid

Telework:

Yes

Required Background Check:

Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?

No

Posting Number:

S013398

Job Open Date:

10/23/2024

Job Close Date:

12/31/2024

If temporary, grant funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening

Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.