Associate Director, Alumni Relations

Department
 

Harris School Alumni Relations

About the Department
 

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Director of Alumni Relations, the Associate Director of Alumni Relations will be responsible for cultivating, maintaining and strengthening alumni engagement to the Harris School of Public Policy and the University of Chicago. The Associate Director will work closely with members of the Alumni Relations and Development team and the Harris Alumni Council to create and implement strategies and tactics that engage Harris alumni as well as students in meaningful and innovative ways.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes subject matter expertise to develop innovative content, programs and new initiatives to increase the number and quality of alumni interactions with Harris and the University of Chicago.
• Works closely with Harris Alumni Council committees to understand alumni needs and interests and to identify effective points of engagement to execute.
• Identifies, cultivates and trains volunteers and alumni leaders to help with committees and to engagement with students and alumni in meaningful ways.
• Regularly seeks feedback from alumni through post-event surveys visits, and other interactions in order to identify areas of improvement and best in class service.
• Collaborates with colleagues across all teams at Harris including Academic and Student Affairs, Student Recruitment, and Career Development Office, to identify areas within Harris Public Policy where alumni relations activity would be helpful to build community and measurable outcomes.
• Acts as primary driver of Harris’ digital engagement platform to deliver content and opportunities for engagement to drive peer to peer connections and student to alumni mentorship opportunities.
• Supports alumni recognition initiatives to cultivate stronger relationships with alumni leaders and volunteers.
• Oversees the Harris Alumni Awards program.
• Identifies opportunities to feature and recognize alumni volunteers through events, marketing and communications, and other symbolic gestures.
• Assists with the planning and execution of department-wide alumni events, such as Harris Connect Weekend, Harris’ alumni weekend. Oversees project timelines and develops appropriate infrastructures, systems, and materials. Staffs events, including evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Advances relationships that result in alumni engagement and philanthropic contributions by conducting assigned number of individual alumni visits. Identifies, qualifies, and solicits individual prospects.
• Oversees the development and deployment of Harris’ monthly and quarterly alumni newsletters as well as events communications plans to ensure sufficient coverage to drive attendance and retention.
• Manages and oversees communications content for the full ARD team at Harris, including managing a calendar of email deployment and strategically using alumni, student, and faculty news and features to engage the alumni community.
• Partners with the Marketing and Communications teams in developing news, features, interviews, and other interesting content for social media, the Harris Alumni Newsletter, the website, and other media outlets and points of outreach to alumni.
• Maintains open information flow with colleagues across Harris to identify opportunities to collaborate and avoid duplication of events and communications efforts.
• Builds and sustains relationships with University colleagues, particularly those in Alumni Relations roles, in order to share best practices and maintain current information about University alumni communications and events.
• Constructs a strong understanding of the Harris lifecycle to develop, plan, and implement programs that connect students and alumni.
• Develops and executes a multi-year strategic plan for engaging recent graduates within the Harris alumni community and educating them on the Harris culture of philanthropy, culminating in their participation in their 5th year reunion.
• Acts as the principal contact to Harris Student Government and Organizations (HSO), the Career Development Office, and Student Affairs Team.
• Builds effective programming to education students on the alumni experience and resources available to them as students and as they transition to post-graduation success.
• Assists in leading and coordinating the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. May assist in or individually create a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Builds strong working relationships with staff in the College, professional schools, units, and in other departments across campus. May help develop performance standards for the alumni relations staff within a unit. Sets activity goals for the team and maintains the annual operating budget for constituent relations programs.
• Has a deep understanding of strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, event planning, program development or similar professional work.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Familiarity with development tracking tools or CRMs such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar software.
• Project management experience or systems thinking.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak and write well.
• High attention to detail and follow-up, excellent organizational skills, and a track record of personal initiative.
• Familiarity with higher education environment and knowledge of the University of Chicago’s unique culture.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach to the job.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.

Working Conditions

• Work some evenings and weekends.
• Some travel, limited.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter that includes your interest in this position (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Department
 

Harris School Alumni Relations

About the Department
 

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Director of Alumni Relations, the Associate Director of Alumni Relations will be responsible for cultivating, maintaining and strengthening alumni engagement to the Harris School of Public Policy and the University of Chicago. The Associate Director will work closely with members of the Alumni Relations and Development team and the Harris Alumni Council to create and implement strategies and tactics that engage Harris alumni as well as students in meaningful and innovative ways.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes subject matter expertise to develop innovative content, programs and new initiatives to increase the number and quality of alumni interactions with Harris and the University of Chicago.
• Works closely with Harris Alumni Council committees to understand alumni needs and interests and to identify effective points of engagement to execute.
• Identifies, cultivates and trains volunteers and alumni leaders to help with committees and to engagement with students and alumni in meaningful ways.
• Regularly seeks feedback from alumni through post-event surveys visits, and other interactions in order to identify areas of improvement and best in class service.
• Collaborates with colleagues across all teams at Harris including Academic and Student Affairs, Student Recruitment, and Career Development Office, to identify areas within Harris Public Policy where alumni relations activity would be helpful to build community and measurable outcomes.
• Acts as primary driver of Harris’ digital engagement platform to deliver content and opportunities for engagement to drive peer to peer connections and student to alumni mentorship opportunities.
• Supports alumni recognition initiatives to cultivate stronger relationships with alumni leaders and volunteers.
• Oversees the Harris Alumni Awards program.
• Identifies opportunities to feature and recognize alumni volunteers through events, marketing and communications, and other symbolic gestures.
• Assists with the planning and execution of department-wide alumni events, such as Harris Connect Weekend, Harris’ alumni weekend. Oversees project timelines and develops appropriate infrastructures, systems, and materials. Staffs events, including evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Advances relationships that result in alumni engagement and philanthropic contributions by conducting assigned number of individual alumni visits. Identifies, qualifies, and solicits individual prospects.
• Oversees the development and deployment of Harris’ monthly and quarterly alumni newsletters as well as events communications plans to ensure sufficient coverage to drive attendance and retention.
• Manages and oversees communications content for the full ARD team at Harris, including managing a calendar of email deployment and strategically using alumni, student, and faculty news and features to engage the alumni community.
• Partners with the Marketing and Communications teams in developing news, features, interviews, and other interesting content for social media, the Harris Alumni Newsletter, the website, and other media outlets and points of outreach to alumni.
• Maintains open information flow with colleagues across Harris to identify opportunities to collaborate and avoid duplication of events and communications efforts.
• Builds and sustains relationships with University colleagues, particularly those in Alumni Relations roles, in order to share best practices and maintain current information about University alumni communications and events.
• Constructs a strong understanding of the Harris lifecycle to develop, plan, and implement programs that connect students and alumni.
• Develops and executes a multi-year strategic plan for engaging recent graduates within the Harris alumni community and educating them on the Harris culture of philanthropy, culminating in their participation in their 5th year reunion.
• Acts as the principal contact to Harris Student Government and Organizations (HSO), the Career Development Office, and Student Affairs Team.
• Builds effective programming to education students on the alumni experience and resources available to them as students and as they transition to post-graduation success.
• Assists in leading and coordinating the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. May assist in or individually create a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Builds strong working relationships with staff in the College, professional schools, units, and in other departments across campus. May help develop performance standards for the alumni relations staff within a unit. Sets activity goals for the team and maintains the annual operating budget for constituent relations programs.
• Has a deep understanding of strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, event planning, program development or similar professional work.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Familiarity with development tracking tools or CRMs such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar software.
• Project management experience or systems thinking.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak and write well.
• High attention to detail and follow-up, excellent organizational skills, and a track record of personal initiative.
• Familiarity with higher education environment and knowledge of the University of Chicago’s unique culture.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach to the job.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.

Working Conditions

• Work some evenings and weekends.
• Some travel, limited.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter that includes your interest in this position (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.