Director, Engagement and Strategic Relationships

The Sinclair School of Nursing’s Director of Engagement and Strategic Relationships supports and provides leadership in the areas of outreach and engagement, relationship and partnership management, programming and event coordination, strategic planning, student to post-graduate alumni connection, philanthropy, and all related coordination and administration. Priorities include maximizing the interaction value each alumnus has with the school and the University, and to serve as a lead and/or partner in developing and maintaining strong and strategic relationships with nursing school graduates, students, friends, and other constituents. The position uses strategic event management and marketing skills to drive success in cultivating relationships; and must develop and deliver presentations as this role is an integral part of the school’s fundraising team.

Key Responsibilities
Serve as a key liaison in identifying, building, and facilitating strategic relationships and driving engagement and philanthropic support through the development and implementation of initiatives, events, communication, and representation and participation with constituents, including alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.

Participate in or represent the School of Nursing at various events, meetings, or other activities as requested by alumni, student, academic units, community, or other constituent groups which could include alumni and volunteer recognition banquets, receptions, homecoming, and reunions. May serve on committees and/or task forces; and promote existing and new programs and/or policies.

Collaborate with the School of Nursing’s advancement team on program solicitations, etc. and partner with marketing and communications and other entities as needed, to coordinate annual events, programs, and strategic messaging to increase alumni awareness, engagement, drive philanthropic support for results in revenue and participation with overall goal of building support for the school’s mission and goals.

Champion the responsibility for generating revenue to support alumni programs and projects, in accordance with the University’s fund-raising policies and guidelines. Cultivate and steward relationships with donors to secure financial support for the school's initiatives. Work closely with central alumni records management staff to ensure alumni data is updated and correct.

Plan and implement alumni, student, and other events to drive strategy for strategic and philanthropic engagement. This may include scheduling speakers; engaging reunion class agents to coordinate class activities; managing nomination and selection processes; coordinating communications and online registration; developing program materials and scripts; and contracting with vendors for event venues, catering, tickets and awards.

Develop, sustain, and strengthen student-alumni relations through initiatives which focus on establishing and maintaining connections through academic/degree programs, year of graduation, geographic location, sports team, etc. and collaborate with other offices on campus in this work.

Serve as a liaison with associations and advisory boards. Support and facilitate the activities of external advisory boards, including collaborating with key stakeholders, organizing advisory board meetings, and coordinating efforts to enhance the School of Nursing's strategic direction through external expertise.

Coordinate and implement a strategic plan for assigned areas of alumni and student engagement, which may include assisting in or participating in goal setting, program development, and leadership development. Identify, cultivate, and steward alumni and volunteers. Help current volunteer leadership to identify potential new volunteers and future leadership.

Coordinate and produce reports, proposals, and analyses for management, to include monthly budget to actual reviews of areas of programmatic responsibility, periodic reports to reflect relevant data gathering and analysis, and post-event reports and recommendations. Manage all aspects of donor gratitude and stewardship. Manage endowments, track scholarships, track use of funds and generate reports for donors.

Develop content for a monthly alumni newsletter and coordinates and/or publishes posts with the marketing department for Alumni social media and other content channels. Serve to drive a digital strategy for stakeholder engagement, awareness, and philanthropy. Develop and present educational programs for alumni, including lectures, seminars, and workshops.