Director of Alumni Engagement (Annual/Alumni Giving Officer III)

Job Description

The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing seeks an enthusiastic and talented individual to serve as Director of Alumni Engagement (Annual/Alumni Giving Officer III). Reporting to the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations,

The Director of Alumni Engagement is responsible for leading the University of Maryland School of Nursing's comprehensive alumni engagement strategy for more than 26,000 living alumni across all 50 states and internationally. The position manages UMSON's Alumni Association and Alumni Council (advisory board) and independently oversees alumni programming, outreach, communications, volunteer engagement, and signature events, including the School's All-Alumni Reunion, milestone reunions, networking and affinity programs, and student-to-alumni transition initiatives. This role also serves as a critical bridge between alumni engagement and philanthropy by identifying, cultivating, and referring prospective donors; strengthening alumni affinity and participation; and supporting the School's broader advancement goals and campaign priorities. The Director collaborates extensively with development, communications, academic leadership, faculty, students, and volunteers to ensure alumni remain actively connected to UMSON's mission and community.

Primary Duties/ Essential Functions:

• Plan and execute all alumni events, including Alumni Reunion, specialty reunions, and local and regional networking events, among others
• Collaborate with and support other groups' events, such as student organizations, where there is an alumni component
• Strategically manage Alumni Council by supporting membership and annual activities, encouraging engagement and leadership, and inspiring philanthropic support.
• Liaise/collaborate with Office of Student and Academic Services, Office of Communications, and Office of Professional Education and Partnerships, to create and nurture opportunities for meaningful alumni engagement.
• Lead strategy and implementation for almost all alumni communications, including monthly newsletter, event invitations, annual magazine, alumni website, social media and individual inquiries. Responsible for drafting content and messaging and collaborating with others on same. Lead role in maintaining and utilizing alumni data.
• Develop and implement strategies to leverage relationships with alumni to encourage leadership annual and major giving. Maintain small portfolio of prospects, mostly Alumni Board members and other active alumni volunteers, with the goal of cultivating and soliciting leadership annual gifts and entry-level multi-year gifts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Experience: Four (4) years of development and/or alumni engagement experience in annual giving, phonathons, alumni engagement, special events, fundraising, or higher education development experience. One (1) year of work coordination of other staff or volunteers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge in fundraising, annual giving and/or alumni engagement activities.
• Ability to build effective long-term relationships both internally and externally.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience with volunteer development and oversight. Ability to communicate and interact with, as well as support effective partnerships with peers, subordinates, and campus and community leaders.
• Ability to establish goals, structures, and processes and possess the necessary skills to implement strategic initiatives.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Adaptable, energetic, and articulate with a positive attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to staff events as needed (including evenings and occasional weekends).
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity, equity, and belonging and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Experience working with nursing education or other health professions preferred.
• CRM database experience preferred.