Assistant Director, Alumni and Volunteer Experience

Department

ADV College Experience

About the Department

The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

Within the Office of Advancement, the Alumni and Volunteer Experience team oversees a diverse set of programs and initiatives designed to increase participation and engagement among alumni, parents, and friends of the University, with a focus on driving key University priorities. Under the direction of the Executive Director, Alumni and Volunteer Experience, this team is responsible for achieving ambitious participation, engagement, and fundraising goals.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Alumni and Volunteer Experience, will develop innovative strategies for building and strengthening undergraduate student affinity and engagement. They will be responsible for identifying and executing initiatives that strengthen student affinity during the years preceding and immediately after graduation. The University’s undergraduate College has seen significant growth and change in the past two decades, resulting in diversity of identity and campus experiences in the undergraduate alumni population. The Assistant Director will be responsible for responding to this diversity by taking an entrepreneurial and proactive approach to tailoring student-based experiences. As an inaugural member of a new vertical focused on the undergraduate alumni experience, they will also shape the priorities and culture of a developing team.

This role administers programs and fundraisers designed to engage the alumni community worldwide, increase participation, and advance the objectives of the Alumni Association, the broader University and divisional alumni initiatives. Works with the Alumni Board of Governors or other divisional groups to create and implement guidelines to govern shared interest groups through receiving a moderate level of guidance and direction.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the development of strategic engagement plans for undergraduate students and recent alumni, with specific and measurable goals, aligned with the University's alumni engagement and fundraising priorities and tailored to the unique needs of each community.
• Manages the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of a variety of undergraduate student experiences.
• Collaborates with key stakeholders in planning and executing strategic experiences and milestone student programs.
• Partners with colleagues across the University and the College, including the College student and young alumni fundraising lead and College Programming and Orientation, to develop and implement strategies to increase cross-campus collaboration on student engagement strategies and goals.
• Supports the establishment of a culture of philanthropy in the undergraduate student community, supporting divisional qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies and ensuring that volunteer boards meet philanthropic goals.
• Continually evaluates, assesses, and reports on student engagement strategies for ongoing improvement and growth, with a particular focus on driving Advancement goals.
• Identifies and integrates strategies for increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across programs and experiences.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession.
• Develops, plans, implements and maintains alumni programs and volunteer activities that connect students and alumni in any existing or new alumni clubs and formed committees.
• Establishes and maintains metrics of success and makes sure those are present in departmental strategic plans, goals setting, and the annual budget.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar field.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System.
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Proficient with Salesforce CRM.
• Knowledge of data management and survey tools.

Preferred Competencies

• A strong commitment to personal and professional development and fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to manage student volunteers and young alumni.
• Working creatively to help brainstorm ideas to develop new programs that encourage students to think philanthropically.
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$68,000.00 - $80,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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