Alumni Manager

Job Purpose

As an Alumni Manager you will play a leading role in the University’s Alumni Engagement strategy by managing the delivery of the University’s alumni engagement and volunteering programmes with the aim of providing a pipeline of engaged individuals willing to support the University with their time, expertise, connections and philanthropy. You will lead and develop a team that can devise and execute a variety of activities that deliver in support of University objectives in recruitment, reputational enhancement, student experience, employability and other areas and connect alumni and current students. Furthermore, you will build, manage and monitor a pipeline of suitable engaged alumni volunteers to help support these objectives.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Make a significant contribution to the development of the University’s strategy for alumni and volunteer engagement, working with the Head of Alumni & Supporter Engagement to plan development and delivery of activity over 1 year and 5 year horizons and beyond.

2. Set and review operational plans, targets and KPIs and be accountable for the delivery of goals.  Manage the budgets attributable to alumni engagement programmes to cultivate alumni and volunteer communities.

3. Inspire, lead and develop the Alumni Engagement team, acting as a coach and a mentor, managing and monitoring performance through the University’s Performance Development Review and other processes.  Decide on the content of training and necessary support for individuals to allow them to contribute effectively as part of a team and in line with their own job descriptions.

4. When required, deputise for the Head of Alumni & Supporter Engagement staying abreast of alumni engagement team objectives and delivery and making decisions in their absence in consultation with the Director of Development & Alumni.  Devise and put in place plans to ensure business continuity across Alumni & Supporter Engagement, particularly for volunteer and international alumni activities. Undertake training and ongoing shadowing of colleagues and recommend team members to do the same as required in order to futureproof plans.

5. Manage the development, co-ordination and delivery of the University’s alumni volunteering programmes, ensuring an alumni-customer centred and consistent approach across all programmes, Work with the ASBS Alumni Manager to ensure cross pollination and co-ordination of programmes with those designed specifically for the Business School.

6. Work with development operations colleagues, particularly systems and database teams - to develop and ensure the effective implementation of business and systems processes to manage volunteer relationships and programmes.

7. Partner with development operations staff to ensure programmes are insight driven. Use insight to monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of volunteering programmes and use data, benchmarking and feedback to ensure they are subject to continuous improvement.

8. Work with colleagues in employability and student opportunity, student recruitment, widening participation, marketing, commercialisation, student enterprise and in Colleges to scope new opportunities for alumni to play meaningful roles in achieving employability, reputational positioning, student experience, recruitment and other University goals. Use professional judgement and expertise to provide advice on what will be necessary to deliver successful alumni volunteer involvement and to manage expectations accordingly.

9. Ensure effective liaison with major gifts and supporter engagement managers to ensure an integrated approach to relationships with potential donors: that the volunteer programmes can provide effective engagement opportunities for potential major donors and that fundraising programmes provide opportunities for the identification and recruitment of volunteers.

10. Using professional judgement and professional expertise, act as ambassador for alumni volunteering and engagement across the University, providing briefings for senior management (Principal, Senior Management Group, Heads of College and Heads of other University Services) on alumni and volunteer engagement and what it can contribute to the University.

11. Working with colleagues across fundraising and alumni engagement teams (especially the Stewardship Manager and Supporter Engagement Manager) ensure effective coordination and integration, devise and ensure the delivery of a comprehensive volunteer stewardship programme that aims to recognise and reward contributions. Ensure consistent delivery across all programmes and that the levels of reward and recognition are in line with stewardship of financial support.

12. Manage the co-ordination of the various student engagement strategies of the team with the aim of raising awareness among students and staff of the benefits of alumni engagement and the opportunities on offer to current students.  e.g. student workshops, initiatives and presence at Graduations.

13. Using a range of tools including promotion at events and in individual meetings with alumni, proactively identify, approach and recruit suitable volunteer alumni to volunteering programmes, matching their interests to particular involvement opportunities and liaising with colleagues in delivery functions (e.g. careers, recruitment) to ensure volunteers’ expertise is appropriately used and their experience is positive.

14. Using expert and developed knowledge, ensure volunteers are inspired, briefed and tasked to undertake their volunteer roles and to act as ambassadors for the University’s programmes of alumni engagement and giving.  Manage the expectations of these volunteers as to the level of support available from the University and the timescales in which programmes may progress.

15. Contribute to the negotiation cross the University of a portfolio of benefits (eg. discounts or access to University services) that the University can offer alumni that demonstrates their value as part of the University community and incentivises them to stay in touch with the University.

16. Working with colleagues in the Marketing and Social Media Teams, create and oversee a framework and content calendar for alumni and General Council communications.  Ensure integration across all activities and that individual audience groups are represented and contacted as appropriate.  Oversee the maintenance and development of the alumni and General Council webpages.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/ Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification) or equivalent including being professionally qualified in a relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role

A2 Authoritative knowledge of the principles, practices and programmes of alumni engagement, volunteering and fundraising in Higher Education and how they can be used to support institutional objectives.

A3 Understanding of universities as complex organisations straddling public, private and charitable sectors and a belief in their importance to society.

A4 Knowledge of privacy and data protection issues and thorough understanding of the requirements of working with personal and confidential information

A5 Expert understanding of communications media (both print and digital) in developing engagement plans to build good-will and encourage two-way dialogue.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of video editing software.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills including active listening, negotiating, high levels of tact the ability to produce/present clear and concise information to a range of audiences and significant ability to influence beyond authority.

C2 Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability prioritise competing demands from a variety of stakeholders and resolve conflicting priorities.

C3 Gravitas; credible as a senior University representative to CEO level external contacts and to senior University leaders; able to command the respect of a team.

C4 Ability to manage resources efficiently for maximum impact.

C5 Strategic thinker with ability to set a plan and see it through to delivery.

C6 Analytical problem solver with ability to spot opportunities and develop new ideas.

C7 Initiative, tact and discretion to handle personal relationships appropriately.

C8 Cultural and linguistic sensitivity to serve alumni from across the world.

C9 Proficiency with relationship/CRM systems.

C10 Ability to collect and review data, analyse and present arguments for or against activities/plans.

Desirable:

D1 Experience of filming for social media.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of developing strategy and delivering operational plans .

E2 A track record of successful alumni engagement/volunteer programme management.

E3 Significant experience of working with and managing volunteer relationships.

E4 Experience of managing and developing staff.

E5 Experience of using relationship management software such as Raiser’s Edge to support, manage and monitor engagement relationships and activities.

E6 Experience of using different social media platforms to promote activity and information.

Desirable:

F1 Experienced user of the Raiser’s Edge software.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.