"Senior Assistant Director, Alumni Relations"

Position Summary

The Senior Assistant Director has primary responsibility for alumni events and volunteer leadership development for 10-12 regions around the country and internationally, with specific emphasis on the West Coast, in addition to other areas. This includes approximately 40-50 events per fiscal year (in-person, hybrid, and virtual), including collaborating on high-level events with the Office of the President and University Events. In addition to responsibility for regional programs, the Senior Assistant Director will manage one shared interest & identity group. The Senior Assistant Director works closely with colleagues across Institutional Advancement and the University in general, including faculty, administrators, the Office of the President, and University Events and plays a key role in driving alumni engagement and volunteer leadership development.

Position Responsibilities

Program Management – Regional Programs

• Develops and manages the educational, social and cultural programmatic efforts for the West Coast, with California being the main focus, including strategy, recruitment and training of volunteers and coordination and management of event details.
• Also works with 8-10 other regions, and develops and executes a strategy for alumni engagement in those regions.
• Works closely with the Office of the President and University Events to execute programs involving or featuring the President, including confirming event logistics and preparing briefings. Oversees engagement metrics related to their regions; ensures relevant constituent data is entered on a timely basis to CRM system.

Volunteer Management/Stewardship

• Travels to communities in order to monitor regional alumni club progress and recruit and steward volunteers. The Senior Assistant Director is expected to make 2-3 trips to the West Coast each fiscal year, along with annual (or more) visits to other regions with which they work.
• The Senior Assistant Director is responsible for leadership development for alumni in their regions and also plays a role in identifying new leadership for Alumni Weekend (classes) and the Alumni Board.
• Collaborates closely with development colleagues on opportunities to use regional events to engage and steward donors, including top university prospects.

Program & Volunteer Management / Shared Interest & Identity Groups

• Work with the volunteer leadership of a shared interest & identity group to develop a cohesive focus and strategic plan for the group that strengthens and deepens Brandeis’ engagement with that group.
• Manage the marketing of alumni engagement programs for the group, including writing event invitations (both print and email), web postings, and creation and distribution of broadcast emails.
• Collaborates with the Shared Interest & Identity Groups in their regions and the Associate Director of Shared Interest & Identity Groups. This includes identifying potential volunteers for SIIGs, as well as event co-sponsorship opportunities between an alumni club and the local SIIG.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required, plus 3-5 years with 5 or more years strongly preferred
• Sets goals and priorities for functional area. May make recommendations for department policies, practices and programs.
• Knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures with ability to apply in routine situations.
• Must possess strong management, communications, and interpersonal skills. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines effectively and work independently
• Knowledge of non-profit volunteer management required
• Maturity and sound judgment, the ability to function effectively in structured, unstructured, and deadline-driven environment is a necessity
• Demonstrates proficiency in email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and conferencing software, and relational databases with an ability to become comfortable and productive with the University’s alumni and donor systems. MS Office Suite and Salesforce experience highly desired.
• Exhibits excellent written and oral communication skills that promote academic and business professionalism and convey information clearly and concisely.
• Presents a collegial, collaborative, and customer-service demeanor that positively reflects the core values and standards of the institution and demonstrates tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies and at all times represents Brandeis University in an exemplary and professional manner.
• Ability to apply sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to professional ethics, data security and nondisclosure when dealing with highly confidential constituent, donor, and prospect information.
• Adheres to University and departmental business policies and procedures.
• Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail and follow-up.
• Self-motivated with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Additional Information

• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends with an attitude of doing what it takes to get the job done.
• Must be able and willing to travel throughout the United States and international regions, as needed, to attend events and meet with volunteers, prospects, and donors to further engagement and cultivation strategies.
• This position has the possibility of a hybrid work schedule, working at least 3 days in the office.
• Must be able and willing to provide on-site management of events and programs that take place both indoors and outdoors, which requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, driving vehicles and golf carts, frequent walking, standing, packing and unpacking of materials, site set-up, etc.