Program Director, Alumni Engagement, UCAA (Hybrid)

Structure

The Program Director, Alumni Engagement for the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association (UCAA) is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports directly to the Senior Director, Alumni Engagement.

Focus

The Program Director, Alumni Engagement is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating programs that strategically engage and provide tangible benefits to College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP) alumni to build affinity for the University of Cincinnati, the Colleges and the UC Alumni Association. The position supports the UCAA’s Outreach & Engagement team that is in-part responsible for developing and executing programs and events that promote alumni engagement campus-wide through college-based programs, with significant responsibility related to volunteer management, relationship building and program development.

Specific Duties

• Serve as primary liaison between the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association, the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP) to ensure mutual understanding and support of priorities.
• Work with alumni association and college leadership to develop and execute on annual and long-term strategic goals to provide inclusive and diverse engagement opportunities that connect college-based alumni to fellow alumni, donors, students, the colleges, and association.
• Develop and track relationships with college-based alumni locally and nationally to promote participation and leadership in the college’s alumni activities, in collaboration with the colleges’ development staff through active participation in the donor cultivation process; identify and engage prospects and steward donors through alumni outreach and engagement efforts.
• Form strong working relationships with important internal and external partners related to both the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP) including the college’s professional staff and faculty. Serve as a resource for academic department inquiries and requests related to alumni engagement.
• Execute on annual signature experiences from ideation through implementation; including Homecoming and Alumni Weekend events, and other potential activities including but not limited to professional networking, reunions, alumni panel discussions, faculty lectures, student-alumni engagement activities, partnered professional organization alumni receptions, academic unit level programming, corporate alumni outreach, and opportunities related to relationships with industry partners.
• Integrate opportunities for donor recognition into overall alumni engagement strategy and experiences.
• Identify, appoint and manage Alumni Leadership Council representatives for DAAP and CCM and support and guide college-based alumni network volunteers.
• Draft and manage content for relevant college-based alumni communications including electronic communications, web content, print brochures, invitations, and letters in coordination with UC Foundation, CCM and DAAP marketing and communications. Provide alumni content for inclusion in general college-based communications.
• Identify outstanding alumni worthy of college- and university-wide recognition through various awards programs, driving nomination calendar and process in cooperation with the deans’ offices, the alumni association, and colleges’ development staff.
• Inform querying processes for targeted communications to college and academic program specific alumni constituencies and ensure data integrity for the central database and other key data sources.
• Partner with industry specific professional organizations through select local, state and/or national meetings, events and/or professional business conferences.
• Manage revenue and expenses, operating within budget, for signature events and college-based alumni engagement activities.
• Proactively report on progress and challenges in annual and long-term goals, and assist the Executive Director, Alumni Engagement and Senior Director, Alumni Engagement, as requested in budget and program development matters.
• Represent the colleges’ alumni programs at various internal and external functions through targeted outreach and engagement efforts.
• 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. Prior non-profit management experience in the arts is preferred.
• 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!