Alumni Relations Manager

Updated: 28 days ago
Location: Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 31 Mar 2024

Posting Summary


Logo
Posting Number STA00194PO24
Job Family Alumni Relations and Development
Job Function Alumni Relations
USC Market Title Alumni Affairs Coordinator
Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/131957
Job Level P1 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title) Alumni Relations Manager
Campus Columbia
Work County Richland
College/Division College of Information and Communications
Department CIC College of Information and Communications
State Pay Band 5
Approved Starting Salary $45,133
Advertised Salary Range $45,133 - Commensurate with experience
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 37.5
Work Schedule
The standard hours are generally 8:30 am – 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch, 37.5 hours per week. Required to travel, work evenings, and weekends. Must have reliable means of transportation.
Basis 12 months
Job Search Category Alumni Development


About USC


About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Inclusive Excellence Statement
At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.


Benefits for FTE Positions


The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the About Benefits section on the Applicant Portal at uscjobs.sc.edu.




Position Description


Advertised Job Summary
The Alumni Relations Manager supports the growth of the college’s alumni network through alumni engagement programming, outreach, special event planning and targeted communication efforts. Leads the planning and implementation of alumni programming and special events. Manages event communication, including the production of graphics, web stories, mailings and social media campaigns. Develops content for and manages the alumni pages of the college website. Develops strategic communication initiatives and ensures consistency in messaging, content and tone across various communication channels.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years of experience, which may be substituted by equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in communications, alumni/donor relations or event planning.
  • Email marketing (we use MailChimp).
  • Website management (we use OU Campus content management system)
  • Familiarity with the University’s brand toolbox.
  • AP style.
  • Experience with Blackbaud or similar alumni/donor management databases.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
  • Ability to build relationships with alumni and university colleagues.
  • Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends as necessary.
  • Ability to conduct more extensive travel on occasion.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • Microsoft Office.
  • Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.


Job Duties


Job Duty
Event Management:
  • Coordinate and manage all aspects of alumni events. Research, negotiate contracts, and secure venues for events including budgeting, logistics, promotion, and execution. Coordinate logistics such as catering, audiovisual equipment, transportation, and accommodations as needed.
  • Create registration processes and systems for events, track RSVPs, and manage attendee lists. Provide timely communication and support to registrants regarding event details.
  • Develop promotional materials and strategies to increase attendance at events. Utilize various channels such as email newsletters, social media, and alumni publications to market events to the alumni community.
  • Collaborate with alumni, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to develop engaging and relevant event programs. Ensure that events align with the goals and objectives of the college and provide value to attendees.
  • Conduct post-event evaluations to assess the effectiveness of event strategies and identify areas for improvement. Solicit feedback from attendees and stakeholders to inform future event planning efforts.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 25
Job Duty
Stewardship:
  • Develop and implement strategies to recognize and thank donors for their contributions to the college. This may include personalized acknowledgments, donor appreciation events, and recognition in publications or displays.
  • Create and distribute regular communications to donors, updating them on the impact of their gifts and the university’s progress toward its goals. This may involve writing letters, newsletters, impact reports, and other materials tailored to different donor segments.
  • Plan and execute events designed to engage and steward donors, such as donor appreciation receptions, cultivation dinners and campus tours.
  • Collect and share stories that illustrate the impact of donor support on students, faculty, programs, and facilities. Use these stories to inspire and motivate both current and prospective donors.
  • Develop individualized stewardship plans for major donors and key stakeholders, outlining strategies for ongoing engagement and stewardship based on their philanthropic interests and preferences.
  • Partner with the college’s development team to ensure that stewardship efforts complement fundraising initiatives. Provide support and stewardship-related materials to fundraisers as needed to facilitate donor cultivation and solicitation.
  • Solicit feedback from donors to understand their interests, motivations, and preferences. Use this information to tailor stewardship activities and identify opportunities for deeper engagement with the college.
  • Track and report on the impact of donor contributions, including the outcomes and accomplishments made possible through philanthropic support. Use data and metrics to demonstrate the return on investment for donors and inform future stewardship strategies.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 30
Job Duty
Alumni Engagement:
  • Serves as liaison/coordinator for the college’s Alumni Council: Provide administrative support to the Alumni Council, collaborates closely with leadership and members. Organizes meetings, events, and communications to facilitate effective engagement and coordination.
  • Relationships: Design and implement innovative programs and initiatives to engage CIC alumni and strengthen their relationship with the university, college, schools and students. Foster a sense of community among alumni through networking events, reunions, volunteer opportunities, and other relevant activities.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with the college’s goals and objectives. Identify opportunities to enhance alumni involvement and support across various programs and initiatives.
  • Recruit, train, and manage alumni volunteers to serve as ambassadors, mentors, event organizers, and advocates for the college. Provide ongoing support, guidance, and recognition to volunteers to ensure their continued engagement and commitment.
  • Collect and maintain accurate records of alumni contact information, engagement history, etc. Use data analytics and reporting tools to assess the effectiveness of alumni engagement efforts, track participation trends, and measure the impact of various initiatives.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 30
Job Duty
Other duties as assigned
Assists the college’s development team with alumni outreach and other donor-focused initiatives, and takes on other special projects as needed. Maintain accurate and up-to-date alumni records, ensuring the integrity of alumni data and contact information in Blackbaud CRM.
Essential Function No
Percentage of Time 5
Job Duty
Alumni Communication:
  • Develop and execute communication strategies to effectively engage and connect with alumni through various channels. Craft compelling content for various platforms, including newsletters, emails, social media posts, website updates, and alumni publication (Intercom). This content should highlight alumni achievements, CIC news, upcoming events, and opportunities for involvement. Strengthens the college’s alumni network by supporting alumni communication efforts.
  • Manage the college’s alumni-focused social media accounts, creating engaging posts, responding to comments and messages, and fostering conversations among alumni.
  • Develop marketing materials and promotional campaigns to generate excitement and attendance for alumni events. Utilize multiple communication channels to reach alumni and encourage participation.
  • Design and distribute surveys to gather feedback from alumni on their preferences, interests, and experiences. Use survey data to inform communication strategies, tailor content to audience preferences, and measure the effectiveness of engagement efforts.
  • Work collaboratively with alumni volunteers, staff, faculty members, and other stakeholders to gather information, coordinate messaging, and align communication efforts with broader college goals.
  • Track key performance indicators related to communication efforts, such as email open rates, website traffic, social media engagement, and event attendance. Prepare reports and analyses to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies and inform future planning.
  • Produce regular alumni newsletters featuring stories, updates, and announcements of interest to the alumni community. Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external partners to gather content and ensure timely distribution.
Essential Function Yes
Percentage of Time 10


Position Attributes


Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.


Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential


Posting Detail Information


Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date
Job Open Date 03/04/2024
Job Close Date 03/31/2024
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Kindly review your employment history on your application to ensure accuracy. Please verify that all duties, positions, and dates are correctly stated.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by March 31, 2024.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
  • Health and Life Insurance
  • Retirement Programs
  • Paid Tuition
  • Dependent Scholarships
  • Annual Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/165074
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.


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