Alumni Relations, Business Administration, Communication Skills, Conferences, Database Technology, Direct Mail, Editing, Funding, Fundraising, Higher Education, Leadership, Metrics, Microsoft Office, Multitasking, Needs Assessment, Newsletter, Nonprofit, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Project Tracking, Project/Program Management, Proposal Development, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Sales, Sales Campaigns, Set Goals, Strategic Planning, Team Player, Telemarketing, Trend Analysis, Wordpress, Writing Skills
Director of Annual Fund & Alumni Relations
- Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, United States
- Administrative Professional
- Regular Full Time
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Title: Director of Annual Fund & Alumni Relations
VP Area: Advancement & Alumni Relations
Department: Advancement & Alumni Relations
Published Salary Range: $50,000.00
Job Summary/Basic Function:
ANNUAL FUND LEADERSHIP
- Plan and execute the university's annual fund campaign, including direct mail, email, and digital fundraising efforts.
- Set goals, track progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of annual fund initiatives.
- Develop strategies to increase donor participation, with a focus on alumni, parents, and community members.
- Lead the hiring, training, and supervision of the student telemarketing team.
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
- Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy to foster strong, long-term relationships with graduates.
- Plan and execute alumni events, reunions, and networking opportunities to increase engagement.
- Maintain and update the alumni database; track engagement metrics and analyze trends to inform targeted outreach.
COLLABORATION & OUTREACH
- Collaborate with university departments to identify funding needs and priorities, and partner with faculty and staff to develop proposals.
- Produce Laker Log (online alumni magazine) three times per year, including story development, writing, editing, layout in WordPress, and distribution.
- Produce Laker Effect (monthly alumni newsletter), including writing, editing, layout in Constant Contact, and distribution.
- Serve as a liaison between the university and alumni, donors, foundations, and community organizations.
- Represent the university at external meetings, conferences, and events to promote fundraising and alumni engagement efforts.
- Develop and oversee the Student Alumni/University Ambassadors program.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising, alumni/public relations, sales, or a related area, with a proven track record of leading successful annual fund/sales campaigns.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Proficiency in donor and alumni database systems (e.g., Banner Advancement) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Comfortable serving as a highly visible, forward-facing representative of the university, with a natural ability to connect with and engage a wide range of people.
- Strong leadership skills, with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset and a willingness to take direction, learn, and adapt.
- Knowledge of higher education advancement, fundraising practices, and alumni engagement strategies.
- Passion for higher education and the mission of Lake Superior State University.
Physical Demands:
- Ability to perform standard office functions, including prolonged periods of sitting, computer use, and written and verbal communication, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Hours:
Monday - Friday, some nights and weekends
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Lake Superior State University