Director of Alumni Engagement and Signature Events

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

Alumni Relations

Time Type:
Full time

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

Job Description:

Summary:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations (AVP), the Director of Alumni Engagement & Signature Events serves as a senior alumni relations officer, providing leadership and oversight of the Alumni Engagement (AE) team and the day-to-day operational management, strategic planning/goal-setting, and staffing decisions for the AE team. The Director of Alumni Engagement & Signature Events supervises a team of dedicated professionals who perform at the highest levels managing alumni volunteers and signature event development, including presidential events across in the National Capitol Region, as well as student and young alumni programming and our emerging reunions. Develops, fosters, and strengthens University relationships with alumni, donors, prospects, students, and internal constituents.

This position reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations and will supervise two (2) full-time staff members. This position may also supervise student and/or part-time staff.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee all presidential signature events hosted by, or in partnership with, the Office of Alumni Relations, both virtual and live.
• Ensure that the presidential processes regarding calendar, approvals, and briefings, among others, are maintained with consistency and efficiency, working in concert with the other Directors of Alumni Relations as necessary.
• Work in concert with the AVP and the Vice President of University Advancement to ensure productive collaboration with the Office of the President.
• Provide management and leadership for the alumni engagement team.
• In addition to managing the team, the Director of Alumni Engagement & Signature Events will actively seek professional development, career pathing and succession planning opportunities for professional staff.
• Collaborate with the AVP to ensure the effective execution of administrative and operational initiatives in alignment with strategic goals and utilize a set of metrics to track progress to goals.
• Ensure integration of Alumni Relations operations with the appropriate internal units for ongoing project management, programming and technology needs.
• In collaboration with the AVP, oversee the engagement of former AU Alumni Board.
• This includes the conceptualization, implementation, and management of an integrated engagement strategy for these alumni; manage the Nominations Committee of the Alumni Board.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with cross-divisional University offices, particularly with the Division of Student Affairs, Admissions, the central events staff, and the President's Office, to leverage existing and new opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to enhance the mission and goals of the Office of Alumni Relations and University Advancement.
• Participate in relevant professional organizations and establish a professional cohort designed to augment ongoing professional development and the implementation of best practices.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Will supervise a minimum of two (2) full-time professional staff members. May also supervise students and part-time staff.

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work:

• Full-Time.
• 35 hours per week.
• Availability to work some nights and weekends, as well as to travel, regionally and internationally as required.

Salary Range:

• $90,000-$115,000 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent in training or experience required.
• A minimum of eight years' experience in creatively and sensitively approaching alumni relations, signature level event management/execution, volunteer management, and marketing and/or brand management is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to create, manage and set priorities and to work with diplomacy and discretion.
• Must possess an aptitude to work effectively with people at all levels of an institution, including trustees, deans, faculty, staff and alumni.
• Proven skills and a track record in staff management and team building are required.
• Strong leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, manage and develop a goal-oriented team of professional and administrative staff.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
• This position requires evening and weekend work and travel as necessary.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Knowledge of fundraising is preferred, but not required.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.