Program Director, Affinity Networks and Student Experiences, UCAA (Hybrid)

Structure

The Program Director, Affinity Networks and Student Experiences, UCAA is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation and reports to the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement.

Focus

The Program Director, Affinity Networks and Student Experiences is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating programs that strategically engage and provide tangible benefits to alumni, support current students and build affinity for the University of Cincinnati and the UC Alumni Association on campus. The position supports the Outreach & Engagement team, which in-part is responsible for developing and executing programs and events that promote alumni engagement through national and affinity alumni networks, with significant responsibility related to student and young alumni engagement, volunteer management, relationship building and program development.

Specific Duties

• Organize and manage UC Young Professionals (UCYP) program and volunteers. Lead strategic young alumni outreach and engagement plans to provide opportunities that bridge the student to alumni experience and welcome graduating students into the alumni association.
• Organize and manage volunteers and programs for alumni network activities related to special interest alumni constituencies that originated as student groups; including but not limited to: Greek alumni, student government, and other leadership or honorary student organization’s alumni engagement efforts.
• Serve as adviser and primary staff liaison to the Student Alumni Council, its executive committee, and its student advancement programs.
• Lead student philanthropy efforts on campus to educate, raise awareness and build a pipeline of future alumni donors. Support efforts to create a culture of philanthropy through student engagement including but not limited to the Senior 100 cohort.
• Grow alumni engagement strategy for “SAC alumni” and “Senior 100 alumni” networks.
• Communicate with volunteers regularly regarding association initiatives and events and coordinate regular meetings of the Student Alumni Council, UCYP, and other alumni networks.
• Guide volunteers regarding best practices related to volunteer board management, special event planning and event communication.
• Develop relationships with alumni and donors to promote involvement with alumni networks and participation in student-alumni engagement initiatives.
• Serve as liaison between the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association and on campus partners to develop a mutual understanding of organizational priorities, actively engage with members of the campus community and support strategic alumni engagement efforts.
• Execute annual Alumni Association signature programs and events from ideation through implementation, including but not limited to: Homecoming, Alumni Week, and student-alumni engagement priorities.
• Manage budgets for signature events, UCYP, Student Alumni Council, and other alumni networks.
• Work with Outreach & Engagement leadership to develop and execute on annual and long-term strategic goals that provide inclusive and diverse engagement opportunities, connecting alumni to students, the University and Association. Report on progress to goals and assist the Executive Director and Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, as requested in budget, personnel and program development matters.
• Implement programmatic initiatives to enhance alumni engagement opportunities across campus and throughout assigned alumni networks.
• Be an active participant in the cultivation process; identify and engage prospects and steward alumni donors through outreach and engagement efforts.
• Collaborate with development staff to foster support and engage alumni donors and prospects through targeted student-alumni engagement programs and events.
• Generate contact reports for interactions with alumni donors and prospects to support fundraising strategies.
• Inform querying process for targeted communications and ensure data integrity for the central alumni and donor database and other key data sources.
• Draft and manage content for relevant alumni and student communications including electronic communications, web content, print brochures, invitations, and letters. This includes serving as the lead for the “New Grad” communication plan development and execution.
• Represent the Alumni Association at various internal and external functions on and off campus, and within the greater Cincinnati area where alumni will be present.
• Participate with industry specific professional organizations, specifically CASE V.
• Participate in overall Alumni Association programming and initiatives, as directed.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years  or advanced degree with 2-3 years of volunteer management, event planning, external relations or closely related experience, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Candidates should possess strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with demonstrated service orientation and diplomacy; the ability to multi-task; be highly organized and detail-oriented, effective organizational and time management skills; an independent worker with adept problem-solving and project management skills, a strategic and critical thinker; and an enthusiastic and energetic attitude.
• Must be willing to travel, and work evenings and weekends as needed.  Valid driver’s license required for travel.

Physical Demands

This position is considered to have medium work. Exerting up to 50lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. This position requires the operation of a motor vehicle. This position also requires:

• Climbing
• Standing
• Walking
• Pushing
• Pulling
• Reaching
• Lifting
• Finger use
• Talking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, this position is subject to outside environmental conditions and indoor conditions

The University of Cincinnati Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification. 

The University of Cincinnati Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people that are differently abled. We know there are great candidates who won’t match everything we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t considered. Apply and tell us about yourself!