Director of alumni relations job description

+ Department: Alumni Association

+ School Area: Alumni Association

+ Employment Type: Full-time (Hybrid)

+ Employment Category: Exempt

+ Visa Sponsorship Available: No

+ Schedule:

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Information on MIT's COVID-19 vaccination requirement can be found at the bottom of this posting.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, EVENTS, Alumni Association (MITAA)-Office of Alumni Relations, to plan and implement a wide variety of MITAA events--from conceptualization through evaluation--ranging from small volunteer dinners to large endeavors for hundreds of alumni. Will develop strategic plans and manage the tactical and logistical details, e.g., event budgets, collateral, venues, etc.; interact with senior officers, volunteer leaders, and major donors and prospects; collaborate with Alumni Association staff, vendors and service providers; manage online registration systems; and handle budget and financial work.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: bachelor's degree; two years' event planning experience, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit; ability to execute all aspects of virtual and live programs and events; experience supervising volunteers and vendors; excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collegially/collaboratively as part of a cohesive team in a diverse service-oriented environment; meticulous attention to detail; and excellent customer service, problem-solving, planning, time management, project management, analytical, presentation, and written and oral communication skills; tact and good judgment with confidential information; flexible approach to the working environment, especially during peak work periods before and during events; proficiency with standard computer applications, especially MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; and FileMaker; and expertise with or willingness to learn Encompass suite of online event tools. Seek a self-starter who can work with minimal supervision and develop and manage project timelines and budgets; anticipate consequences of actions, potential problems, or opportunities for change; independently organize, prioritize, and manage several projects simultaneously in a fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment; and work effectively under pressure and with minimal supervision. PREFERRED: familiarity with MIT and experience working in higher education advancement and with marketing teams. Job #20665-6

Must be able and willing to work irregular hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Some travel will also be required. This position will be hybrid, with a combination of on-campus and remote work. reposted 6/16/22

Work type: Full Time
School/Department: School of Law Grade: Grade 15 Categories: Development/Alumni Relations
Job Type: Officer of Administration Bargaining Unit: Regular/Temporary: Regular End Date if Temporary: Hours Per Week: 35 Salary Range: Commensurate with experience
Position Summary

**This is a hybrid position working three days in office and 2 days remotely.

Reporting to and working closely with the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, the Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events oversees alumni relations engagement strategy and planning, develops and supervises a departmental staff, and leads the overall production of all annual and one-off Development and alumni events (in person and virtual events, and those which are both simultaneously) including cultivation / recognition events for alumni, donors and prospects, annual Reunion Weekends, multi-day conferences, dedications, endowed lectures, alumni-hosted events, affinity programming, internal memorials, regional domestic and international alumni events, private prospect dinners, judicial stewardship events, high-level dignitaries' visits, and triannual meetings of the Columbia Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors; the incumbent also oversees the logistical production elements of the biannual Dean's Council and Board of Visitors meetings in coordination with Development. Additionally, the Executive Director oversees production of over 125 faculty events within the academic year in coordination with the Dean's Office and hosting faculty or Centers.The incumbent works closely with dignitaries' advance teams, internal departments, senior administrators, and external vendors / venues and staff as necessary to ensure that all programs and events align with the vision, goals and expectations of the Assoc. Dean and Dean of the school and works to integrate strategic stewardship and alumni relations goals. The Executive Director also supervises management of the school's growing alumni/student networking platform, LawLink.

Responsibilities

Oversees development, design and management of all aspects of Development and Alumni Relations events, including anchor annuals such as the Reunion Weekend, Winter Luncheon and Medal for Excellence Luncheon, the Moot Court Final Arguments Competition events, endowed lectures and receptions, and Harlan Fiske Stone Giving Society recognition events as well as one-off and Campaign events; oversees multiple, overlapping production, contract and communications schedules, content, vetting and mailing of all related printed and e-communications elements and materials, development of appropriately segmented invitation lists. Supervises the production of over 125 faculty events within the academic year, including appointment luncheons, book events, misc. multiple-day conferences and meetings, colloquia, dinners, memorials, receptions, lectures/panels serving the faculty; oversees interaction with faculty members and implementation of their event-related needs. Directs staff regarding arrangements for and management of Dean's Council, BOV and Columbia Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors meetings, including mailings, catering, AV/staging, room and venue selection, music/lighting/décor, faculty/student participation, materials, and drafting of related correspondence as necessary. Works with the Office of Communications to create and develop invitations, programs, promotional elements, post-event articles, and e-communications to Law School alumni to publicize and promote events and relevant school news. Oversees LawLink networking platform onboarding and activity Directs and supervises day-to-day activities of the special events and alumni relations department staff, including management of 5 officers, 2 assistants and temporary staff as well as organization and direction of 10-35 Development staff during the execution of large-scale events. Directs all major outside vendor selection and contracts, venue selections, internal service departments Oversees drafting of Dean's and speakers' briefings; develops and writes comprehensive staff briefings as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

BA required, advanced degree preferred.Must have 7-10 years of relatable experience.Must be highly organized, capable of managing multiple and complex tasks / deadlines; able to think strategically; mature; and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must have ability to manage and mentor several staff individually, and strategically as a team, and give ongoing direction and supervision; must be adept at balancing the workloads of, and collaboration among, the team during high-demand periods. Important to be able to work well with a range of constituencies including law school staff and faculty, top-tier donor/prospect population, general alumni, board members, Reunion cycle leadership, and high-level dignitaries. Significant evening and weekend work required. Must be able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.


Applications open:
Sep 21 2022Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close:

Primary Purpose: Manage the Stetson University College of Law Alumni Relations Program, which seeks to connect and engage alumni in the activities of the college. Create impactful programming and events for alumni and friends to learn, volunteer, and financially support the school while strengthening the culture of engagement and philanthropy among alumni, students, friends, and others.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

+ Oversee and manage the details of all development and alumni relations events and programming. These events include, but are not limited to the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Scholarship Banquet, Alumni Receptions/Mixers, and Reunions

+ Work with the Development Director overseeing the Annual Giving Program to create media cultivation and mass solicitation of alumni and friends.

+ Serve as the liaison to alumni volunteer committees and assist in the planning and management of their activities and events. Simultaneously work towards creating alumni engagement strategies for those alumni that do not live in a geographic area where events regularly take place.

+ Work towards creating and implementing a more formal and robust Reunion program, which spans from the 10th to the 50th Reunion

+ Work in concert with the DAR staff to craft strategic approaches in order to inspire and elicit philanthropic support from those engaged in alumni relations activities.

+ Conduct one-on-one personal visits with key alumni to foster further engagement with the college and to begin the discussion about philanthropic support of the college.

+ Work with colleagues in communications and marketing to utilize effective communication vehicles. Including the magazine, website, and social media, and any newsletter(s)

+ Work with student organizations to invite alumni to attend affinity events based upon their interests and activities that they were engaged in as a student.

+ Along with the department leader, serve as the primary liaison in working with the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association (SLAA). Oversee the planning of SLAA meetings and other activities of the body.

+ Oversees the fundraising efforts for SLAA.

+ Work with the Dean's Office to manage receptions for the Board of Overseers.

+ Works with Career and Professional Development to develop and operationalize a mentoring program for 1L students.

+ Works with the Communications Office to brand and maintain the Development and Alumni Relations website.

+ Composes and produces the Alumni newsletter monthly.

+ Alumni at a Glance program that allows alumni to showcase their professional accomplishments.

+ Represent the College of Law at events in the community and provide staff leadership at events sponsored by the College of Law.

+ Assists with special projects throughout the year.

+ Maintains a collaborative work environment and works well with others.

+ Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

Bachelor's degree required. 5 years of event planning and/or development, fundraising experience required. High integrity and work ethic. Must have outstanding customer service acumen. A high level of organization, attention to detail, flexibility and multi-tasking, judgment and interpersonal skills are required. Excellent follow-through is required. Ability to work as a positive team player. Must possess strong written & verbal communication skills. Ability to work autonomously in carrying out assigned responsibilities while answering formally to their supervisor. Flexibility with schedule, to include some night and weekend work. Some travel required. Works to build an environment that promotes and facilitates the success of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.

Required Experience