Central Midwest HERC

The Associate Director of Alumni Programs is responsible for creating and implementing pathways to increase alumni engagement, volunteerism, and giving through communications, events, volunteer opportunities, building community, and facilitating financial partnerships that support the College.

This position will report to the Executive Director for Alumni & Family Engagement and Annual Giving and work collaboratively with colleagues across the department of Advancement and Communications to build strategies around affinity, special interests, and alumni groups. In addition, this position will work independently and creatively to match alumni donor interests with institutional priorities and encourage support of annual giving appeals, partner with the philanthropy team on hand-off strategies for major gifts and assist in monitoring and reporting on alumni fundraising progress.  This position will also manage student employees.

This position will require the ability to travel.

Under the general supervision of the Executive Director for Alumni & Family Engagement and Annual Giving:

• Actively engage Pitzer alumni with internal and external constituents on a national and global scale. Work collaboratively across the department to assist in leading programming for Alumni Weekend and class reunions. Contribute ideas & help implement life stage and generational programming for alumni.
• Manage and oversee alumni communications and event programming in partnership with Communications and Advancement Events team; including, but not limited to, Alumni Weekend, Reunions, and One Week, One Pitzer. Manage and oversee communications and engagement between and among Pitzer College students, faculty, emeriti faculty, staff, and its alumni; including but not limited to a monthly or quarter newsletter. As assigned, promote opportunities for engagement within the Claremont College consortium.
• In support of the College’s strategic plan and priorities, assist in executing a comprehensive strategic plan and schedule year-round engagement activities for alumni on a national and global scale. Using critical thinking skills, identify and work with multiple collaborators and stakeholders to vet decisions, secure buy-in, and adjust plans if needed.
• Partner with the Executive Director for Alumni & Family Engagement and Annual Giving to recruit, train and motivate alumni volunteers.
• Perform ongoing analysis of engagement efforts thus contributing to an overall analysis of the Office of Alumni Engagement.
• Assist in supporting and empowering the Pitzer College Alumni Board, Alumni Ambassadors, and other key volunteer leadership groups. Work to ensure their meetings and work on behalf of Pitzer College are productive, impactful, and in alignment with college priorities and its strategic plan.
• Develop and foster relationships between alumni, current students, and campus partners, to expand the base of current and future alumni leaders, volunteers, and donors. Remain knowledgeable about ongoing Pitzer College events, activities, initiatives, news, awards, and programming to promote connections with alumni and families.
• Remain current on economic conditions and philanthropic trends as they affect higher education and alumni relations best practices.
• Research, assess, and implement technologies, communication tools, and social networking resources to support and enhance engagement efforts. Stay current on related trends.
• In partnership with Communications, develop and implement marketing strategies for alumni social media and web sites. This includes regular review and updating of website, managing regular posts, and responding to followers.
• In partnership with the Director of Advancement Events, plan, produce and flawlessly execute assigned events, including but not limited to:
  • Schedule and facilitate department meetings to strategically plan and coordinate events and conduct post-event reviews.
  • Ensure event communications, including invitations/mailing and reply processes; marketing and promotion materials for alumni related events are on track.
  • Ensure that events follow a standard of excellence, quality, and protocol. Assist with maintenance of collateral materials and templates for a uniform look and feel (e.g. place cards, nametags, signage and administrative documents). Work within established clearance process for the release of all Advancement materials.
  • As needed, coordinate with the Pitzer Store the procurement of event-specific premiums and gifts distributed to donors and participants.
  • Monitor and analyze cost-analysis and tracking reports that evaluate the effectiveness of alumni events.
• Meet personal prospect management goals as established by advancement leadership. Manage an engagement portfolio of alumni prospects, taking responsibility for their identification, qualification, cultivation, and/or stewardship. Work to achieve 100 percent annual giving participation among the Alumni Board, as well as with other key volunteer groups. In coordination with the annual giving team, integrate alumni engagement as a key strategic partner in Pitzer's fundraising. Use programs to support increasing dollars and donors to the College, with emphasis on alumni participation rates.
• Perform other related duties as required.

The individual must possess knowledge, skills and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Proven skills to work toward a comprehensive engagement program, preferably in a higher education environment.
• Proven success in establishing and strengthening relations with and between internal and external constituents, preferably in the higher education or non-profit sector.
• Ability to participate in comprehensive and ongoing research and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, tools/technology, and the allocation of resources.
• Demonstrated ability to engage volunteers on a national and global scale. Ability to identify and develop volunteer leadership.
• Expert knowledge and ability to keep current of trends and best practices in alumni engagement.
• Strong knowledge of marketing and communication techniques and technology to build and maintain engagement on a national and global scale. Ability to research, evaluate, and implement enhancements.
• Budget conscious and strong planning skills for a department with dynamic and robust programs and initiatives.
• Ability to productively manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines in a fast-paced, results oriented environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, with attention to detail, grammar, spelling and consideration for the target audience using various formats (e.g. emails, letters, social media, public speaking, etc.).
• Ability to be engaging and charismatic with individuals from multiple constituencies and diverse backgrounds. Exhibit a willingness to try new things and demonstrate maturity and composure in all situations.
• Ability to manage competing demands with a focus on priorities and judicious use of resources. Handle delays or unexpected events and frequent change with composure.
• Maintain high energy and convey commitment and passion for Pitzer College and its alumni and families.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed. Travel nationally and internationally as needed. Provide own transportation to local off-campus events or appointments.

Basic Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree is required. A minimum of two years of full-time, progressively responsible alumni or constituent relations experience is required. 

Preferred Qualifications: Preference given for experience in higher education.

Licenses/Certifications:  Must have a valid California driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the College’s insurer.

Physical Requirements:  This is generally a sedentary position. Must be able to

• sit for prolonged periods of time and operate a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Must have the stamina to work evenings and weekends as assigned, including standing or walking for prolonged periods of time during events.
• Must have the ability to drive locally for events and appointments.

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervise related work assigned to volunteers, student employees and other part-time staff as assigned.

Work Model: The typical hours for this position are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.  These hours may vary due to needs of the College or department. Will be required to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Anticipated Starting Salary: $65,000

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and internal equity

Instructions:  Only qualified applicants please.

Application Materials: Upload the following materials to complete your application:

• Cover Letter:  Indicate your reason for interest in this position, describe how your qualifications make you an ideal candidate, and explain which of Pitzer’s core values best relates to your own. 

• Resume: List relevant qualifications and dates of experience.

• Professional References: References will be contacted for select applicants and advance notice will be provided. Provide the names of at least three (3) individuals who can speak to your professional qualifications. Include their business titles, contact information and an indication of how you are acquainted with them (e.g., former supervisor, coworker, etc.).