Senior Associate Director, Alumni Events and Progr

Job Summary

This role uses best practices and knowledge within Alumni Relations and leads a program designed to engage the alumni community worldwide, increase participation, and advance the objectives of the Alumni Association and the broader University. Researches, executes, and implements best practices in alumni relationship management. Works with the Alumni Board of Governors to create and implement guidelines to govern shared interest groups.

Responsibilities

• Leads a team focused on cross-campus partnerships and universal alumni engagement opportunities for the UChicago community.
• Manages a complex portfolio of alumni signature experiences, with a focus on strengthening connections between alumni and the University; deepening alumni pride; and enhancing and expanding engagement opportunities for the global UChicago alumni community.
• Partners with leadership in the office of Alumni and Volunteer Experience, to develop and implement a strategy for strengthening alumni engagement partnerships across campus. Serves as an important contact for unit-based alumni engagement teams, partnering to support and advise on unit-based alumni engagement efforts and collaborating in the creation of a comprehensive, complementary alumni experiences.
• Leverages a variety of resources to develop and maintain a deep understanding of University priorities. Uses this knowledge to shape signature programming with of a focus of increasing alumni awareness of and fluency in University priorities.
• Develops and strengthens key relationships with internal and external partners to create and execute best-in-class event and engagement experiences and develop strategies for programming across regions and formats.
• Develops an integrated strategy for alumni event communications that leverages digital, social, traditional, and evolving communications strategies to advance alumni engagement.
• Continually evaluates, assesses, and reports on signature and universal experiences for ongoing improvement and growth, with a particular focus on driving alumni engagement and fundraising goals.
• Hires, manages, evaluates, and retains top talent. Provides training and guidance for team members regarding all aspects of event planning and coordination.
• 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.
• Assists in leading and coordinating the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. May assist in or individually create a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Has a deep understanding of strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five years of professional work experience in event, meeting, or conference planning; development; alumni relations; or similar professional work experience.
• Minimum two years of management experience, including staff.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Background working with faculty and university leadership.

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 Alumni Relations and Development, including the University's donor relationship management system.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and to encourage growth and change in both people and programs. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Strong commitment to customer service.