Assistant Director of Donor Engagement & Alumni Relations

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $23.68 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under general direction, the assistant director of donor engagement and alumni relations will direct, manage, and oversee a comprehensive donor and alumni engagement program for the College of Arts and Sciences and its $300+ million endowment. Duties include working collegially with university alumni and donor relations, the Case Alumni Association, and University Marketing and Communications to manage events, publications, and programs for advancement initiatives, as well as managing engagement efforts encompassing an international pool of alumni and donors. The assistant director works closely with the dean of the college, associate and vice deans, managers, and all directors to assist with donor and alumni engagement, with a focus on stewardship of major gift fundraising. The assistant director will plan engagement activities and events for the department which will include executing stewardship activities to recognize and engage college alumni, donors, and friends to encourage their financial support.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Initiate and manage customized stewardship strategies for a portfolio of donors. Identify and plan opportunities to engage donors and alumni annually with visits, events, calls, and/or special reporting as appropriate from the university. Partner with major gifts officers, senior director of donor engagement and alumni relations, and other development colleagues as necessary and oversee customized stewardship and alumni activities based on donor relationships. Direct and execute stewardship outreach that works in tandem with the universitys major gift cultivation efforts. Make recommendations and coordinate donor and/or beneficiary recognition at/participation in special visits and event programming. (40%)
• Plan and manage College of Arts and Sciences donor recognition and alumni relations programs, events and other activities that connect alumni and donors to the College of Arts and Sciences and that enhance overall philanthropic giving. Develop multi-faceted strategies to thank and recognize donors through print and digital media, including ideas for repurposing content for other stewardship projects. Coordinator all necessary activities and collaborate with development colleagues and other internal partners to engage students, faculty and staff in creative gratitude stories and messaging. Create content to be sent to donors through various print and digital media and manage distribution of messaging. (20%)
• Coordinate, under the direction of the Senior Director and/or Vice Dean of the college, the execution of college stewardship activities and cultivation events and support special events as needed (15%)
• Ensure personal and mass communications are accurate and timely and reflect the appropriate branding of the college and university. Work with the marketing and communications team to develop a broad range of collateral and manage alumni email campaigns. Provide oversight and manage execution of donor acknowledgments and other high-level correspondence from senior leadership. Serve as the point of contact for colleagues in the schools, college, and other departments managing written donor communications. Maintain donor salutation and signature preferences, address changes, etc. for the dean, vice dean, and other external relations officers. (15%)
• Partnering with the senior director, and coordinating with the CWRU Alumni Association, plan and execute activities related to Homecoming and Reunion weekend, including volunteer coordination and management. Track all college events and communicate them to the Alumni Association (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with the dean, vice dean, senior director, major gift officers, budget/ finance, deans office staff, college marketing/communications team, corporate and foundation relations, 21 departments and 14 centers.

University: Contact with the deans, presidents and provosts office, university donor relations and events, other high level development officers, the Alumni Association, The Case Alumni Association and university marketing and communications to exchange information.

External: Contact with high-level volunteers, donors, alumni and vendors at area hotels, restaurants and transportation companies representing the college and university.

Students: Direct contact with student employees, interns, award recipients, and volunteers to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Directly supervise student interns for the department.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 or more years of experience in a development or administrative office, preferably development, with progressively increasing responsibilities, particularly in relationship building. Program and systems development, event-planning volunteer management, and operational experience.

Education: Bachelors degree required. Continued education in development or non-profit management is highly desired. Higher education experience is preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong writing and organizational skills.
• High attention to detail in a dynamic work environment.
• Project management skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• High level of self-motivation.
• Excellent customer service.
• Ability to manage a number of projects with minimal direction or supervision.
• Strong work ethic.
• Data analysis and budgetary skills.
• Highest degree of professionalism, individual judgment, responsibility, organization and proactive effort.
• Knowledge of or an ability to quickly learn software and customer relationship management systems such as Microsoft Office Suite, CRM Advance, iModules, Canva, Survey Monkey, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and Google apps such as Google Drive and Google Forms.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisor, and customers face to face.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Local travel on occasion; some evening and weekend work as necessary relating to committee work and events. The employee will perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard to type.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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