Senior Executive Director, Alumni Association

University of Maryland, United States

Updated: 1 day ago
Location: College Park, MARYLAND
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Posting Details


Position Number: 129349
Title: Executive Director
Functional Title: Senior Executive Director, Alumni Association
Category Status: 33-Exempt Regular
Applicant Search Category: Staff
University Authorized FTE: 1.00
Unit: VPUR-Alumni and Donor Relations
Campus/College Information:
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.
Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The Senior Executive Director (Senior ED) of the Alumni Association is the chief alumni officer for the University of Maryland (UMD), representing over 414,000 alumni, in addition to serving at the leader of the University of Maryland Alumni Association (UMDAA) 501c3, representing 414,000+ alumni.
The UMDAA is an industry-leader in alumni relations, earning 13 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards including four Grand Gold awards since 2018. Demonstrating growth across key metrics, from alumni engagement, membership participation, and rental income from the Samuel Riggs Alumni Center business, the UMDAA is well-positioned for expanded growth following the launch of its new strategic plan Forever Fearless in July 2023.
The mission of the UMDAA is to connect, cultivate and channel the power of alums to enrich their own lives, advance the university and impact the greater good. The Senior ED will develop strategies and action plans to build alumni pride and involvement, promote social and career networking among alumni, develop regional/affinity/special interest/corporate alumni networks, enlist alumni in service to, and support of, the University, provide services to alumni, and build awareness of the UMDAA among current students. They will be responsible for advancing a comprehensive alumni relations program for UMD which proactively engages deans, vice presidents, directors, students, staff and volunteers with alumni.
The Senior ED serves as primary liaison to the UMDAA Board of Governors and is the University’s ambassador to its alumni. Working closely with the Board, the Senior ED is responsible for establishing and implementing strategies, including near and long term objectives, for engaging alumni in support of the institution. The Senior ED manages the staff and operations of the UMDAA and serves as an ex-officio member of the UMDAA Board of Governors.
The Senior ED will serve as a public representative for the university both on and off-campus, participating in activities, events, athletics, and other programs to represent the university and association to the UMD community. The Senior ED leads campus-wide initiatives involving alumni relations, formulating strategies and plans for alumni engagement in career services, admissions, fundraising, and alumni programming, in addition to working with student affairs to foster Terrapin Pride among current students.
The Senior ED will travel regionally and nationally to connect with alumni through meetings and events, inspiring and encouraging alumni involvement as members, donors, and volunteers. The Senior ED will be responsible for driving membership and annual giving philanthropic support for the UMDAA.
The Senior ED works closely with the Office of Marketing and Communications to coordinate the development, production, and distribution of quarterly alumni communication, both on- and off-line; establishing the tone, and appropriateness of all alumni correspondence, solicitations, and publications; and enhancing an on-line alumni community offering e-mail address reflectors, career services, directory and bulletin board capabilities for alumni.
With a staff of 25+ individuals, annual budget of $4+ million, the Senior ED operates from the Samuel A. Riggs IV Alumni Center, managing its event space and venue operations (e.g., for weddings, bar mitzvahs, conferences, and other special events).
As a member of the senior staff team for the Division of University Relations (UR) reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of People and Engagement, the Senior ED works with divisional leadership and key volunteers and university representatives to achieve UR’s goals and advance the university, providing input on division-wide priorities including staffing, policies, budget, and fundraising campaigns.
Benefits Summary Top Benefits and Perks:

Exempt Benefits Summary

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree required.


Experience:
  • 11 years of experience within alumni or volunteer relations or related/relevant fields
  • Substantial management experience in a senior role is required together with knowledge of budget and personnel management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Must have the skills to lead the alumni association with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach.
  • Superior public speaking, storytelling, communication, managerial, planning, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to define both long-and short-term goals with demonstrated success in achieving them.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, peers and leadership; to multi-task and think strategically; to build effective teams and seek out and manage additional resources; and to manage budgets.
  • Highly skilled in instilling loyalty in constituents and customers toward an organization, while upholding the organization’s goals and mission.
  • Ability to build consensus and to respond to the needs of multiple leaders while working toward and achieving mutual goals.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on higher education institutions.
Preferences:
Preferences:
  • Master’s degree.
  • Relevant experience within alumni or volunteer relations, working for a constituent organization, a marketing/sales/promotional role, or any combination of these.
  • Experience working with a volunteer board, within a complex organization, and with high-level leaders.
  • Experience with higher education administration.
  • Experience in membership due-based organizations.
  • Experience in fundraising, both annual and major gifts.
  • A variety of learning and skill development experiences will be an asset.
  • Knowledge of and dedication to the University of Maryland.
Additional Certifications:
Additional Information:
Candidates interested in applying, please visit https://wittkieffer.com/positions/25699
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off ; Tuition Remission ; Health , Dental , Vision and Prescription coverage; Retirement benefits ; Family Care ; and more .
Candidates must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the USA. No Visa sponsorship is offered for this position.
Salary commensurate with experience up to mid-200,000s.
Job Risks Not Applicable to This Position
Physical Demands
Some physical activity required in preparation for and management of events, such as light lifting up to 10 lbs. Availability to work nights and weekends due to events/programs as needed.
Up to 50% travel, depending on time of year.
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Travel by foot and car necessary for meetings on and off campus.
Posting Date: 04/11/2024
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled Yes
Best Consideration Date 06/03/2024
Diversity Statement:
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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