Director of Alumni Engagement

Director of Alumni Engagement Job Description

REPORTS TO:  

Assistant Head of School for Strategic Advancement

FLSA JOB CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt, 12 Month Position, Part-time, 25 hours per week

JOB PURPOSE:

In collaboration with the Philanthropy & Alumni Office staff, the Director of Alumni Engagement is responsible for implementing a strategic and innovative alumni engagement plan including communications, events, and programming. The Director leads the GDS Alumni Center, connecting alumni to current GDS students.

This is a 12-month, part-time (25 hours per week), on-campus position, five days per week, Monday through Friday, and requires regular evening and weekend work for advancement related events. Regular work hours are generally 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., with flexibility available to establish a schedule that works well for both the employee and the school. 

The Director of Alumni Engagement models the GDS Community Cornerstones of Respect, Kindness, Integrity, and Responsibility.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cultivates alumni relationships and facilitates regular connections between alumni and GDS faculty and students

• Designs and implements a monthly alumni e-newsletter in collaboration with the Director of Strategic Communications

• Proactively creates networking opportunities for GDS students and young alumni college students with working alumni professionals, through the GDS Alumni Center

• Proactively maintains an alumni database with up-to-date contact and demographic information

• In collaboration with the Marketing & Communications Team, manages the GDS Alumni  social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

• Integrates the alumni program with other constituent advancement efforts

• Proactively designs, plans, and executes annual in-town and out-of-town alumni events and effectively engages alumni in the planning and hosting process

• Designs, plans and executes on-campus alumni special events including Reunion Weekend

• Serves as the staff liaison to the Alumni Board, alumni class agents, and secretaries to establish annual Alumni Board goals and meeting agendas

• Identifies and recruits prospective alumni board members to increase alumni engagement in GDS activities and participation in the Impact Fund 

• Writes news and updates for the GDS Magazine and works with the Director of Strategic Communications to solicit articles from alumni for the magazine

• Assists in recruitment of alumni volunteers for the annual giving day (#1DayforGDS)

• Supports the enrollment and growth of the school by connecting alumni parents with the Office of Admission & Enrollment

• Designs and publishes a visual alumni map that allows seniors to connect with alumni for senior internship opportunities and future alumni living in matriculating college towns

• Connects alumni with current students to serve as mentors for our entrepreneurial program

• Facilities the Young Alumni Connections program, connecting young alumni to established alumni in targeted cities.

• Facilitates a rotating alumni temporary art exhibit in the Art Gallery.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates actively in advancement and other school related events

• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Head of School 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment for this position is mostly sedentary and confined to an office setting. The noise level is usually quiet to moderate level but may be loud on occasion. The nature of this position may require supervising students both indoors and outdoors on occasion. All faculty and staff are required to participate in regular safety drills. Regular weekend, evening, or early morning work may be required. Travel is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The duties of this job take place in an office setting. This position is frequently required to operate a computer and file and retrieve written documents. The physical demands include, but are not limited to, standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, handling, kneeling, crouching and bending. There will be extended periods of sitting required when performing administrative tasks and while attending meetings. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

DIRECT REPORTS:

There are no direct reports to the Director of Alumni Engagement.