Engagement Director

The Engagement Director will serve as a vital team member executing programs that initiate and nurture relationships with Marquette alumni, parents and friends. The position will work collaboratively to lead campaign, CIRCLES, affinity-based programming, and virtual offerings to increase alumni participation and giving through strategic planning, event coordination, volunteer management and staffing of some of Marquette’s most important benefactors and leaders.  This position has the ability to work in a hybrid work arrangement with time worked on campus as well as remotely.  

• Develop and execute campaign and affinity-based programming in partnership with University Advancement, Senior Director and university leaders that engage alumni, parents, friends, and students and cultivate philanthropic support of the university. 
• Sustain strong partnerships across University Advancement division, especially Senior Director Annual Giving and Senior Director Campaign and Prospect Management to infuse giving opportunities and coordinated efforts to move philanthropic relationships forward, where possible. 
• Plan and execute high-end campaign efforts, including leadership dinners intended to educate and inspire prospective lead benefactors for Marquette’s campaign. 
• Plan and implement CIRCLES networking events throughout the country in partnership with engagement and development colleagues, including management of event speakers, event logistics, building Host Committees, solicitation of sponsorship dollars and collaboration with University Advancement’s development staff on a regular basis to identify key volunteers and donors. 
• Synthesize and align CIRCLES line extension programming (i.e. CEO Roundtables) around the country with various engagement opportunities. 
• Develop and execute virtual programs through the Alumni Association’s popular Beyond MU lifelong learning platform in partnership with engagement and development colleagues.
• Manage speakers, logistics, marketing efforts, and infuse campaign messaging where appropriate. 
• Create new programming – in-person and virtual – to align with university priorities, when applicable. 
• Sustain willingness to adapt and demonstrate flexibility around events and offerings. 
• Event responsibilities include invitation and list development, promotion and implementation, program ideation and management of event speakers, coordinating event logistics, preparing materials to staff university leaders, staffing events (including travel where relevant) and coordinating post-event follow-up. 
• Staff high-level individuals including Marquette leaders, trustees, C-suite professionals and others. 
• Meet with fellow Engagement Directors on a regular basis to align and coordinate team initiatives, review metrics/goals and determine future plans. 
• Integrate university messages and align university priorities through event programming. 
• Foster and maintain productive relationships with all areas of University Advancement, departments across campus, and with alumni, parents, and friends. Forecast events and budgetary needs. 
• Attend university and regional events and volunteer meetings, often during evenings and weekends.

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• At least five to seven years of previous experience, specifically planning of events, working with volunteers and management experience is necessary. 
• The proven ability to motivate large diverse groups is imperative. 
• Strong written, verbal and volunteer management skills, the ability to problem-solve, multi-task, and work in a very fast-paced environment is needed. 
• Willingness to travel; evening and weekend hours required. 
• Previous volunteer management and fundraising experience is a plus.

You may view our Total Rewards Guide here: https://www.marquette.edu/hr/employeebenefits.shtml