Director, Alumni Relations
Southern Methodist University Inc

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Director will oversee the management and execution of a comprehensive alumni engagement plan for 135K+ alumni, orchestrating programs designed to inspire SMU alumni to "go," "give," "help," and "connect" with SMU.

Working closely with the Sr. Director, the position cultivates collaborations with University leadership and volunteers to strategically enhance alumni giving and engagement, aligning with SMU's campaign goals. Build and sustain strong processes for program operation and optimization, leading a team that executes more than 100 alumni events annually nationwide.

Spearhead quick pivots, as needed, to strategies that support the $50M annual campaign fundraising goal and engagement objectives. Guide four direct reports in planning and executing signature events, including Homecoming, regional chapter events, and campus gatherings. Develop and manage budgets to ensure the successful completion of initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Manage & optimize overarching alumni strategy for all signature weekend experiences (Homecoming, Founder's & Commencement), regional chapter/network programs in up to 25 key U.S./international cities, & campus alumni events (incl. all tailgates, signature awards, & reunion activity for 10 classes.) Set the annual framework that aligns each program's focus, activity & outcomes with campaign goals to achieve desired metrics, including fundraising & participation goals.
  
• Create a holistic marketing vision &, with support of DEA colleagues, build and incorporate each program's marketing plans within the AGAR annual calendar, constantly seeking opportunities to optimize alumni touchpoints. Collaborate with peers on a comprehensive, multi-channel marketing design plan for specific populations, giving special attention to AGAR's online alumni platforms & website. Ensure staff executing activities are aligned with AGAR priorities & operating within brand guidelines.
  
• Leverage relationships w/Univ. leaders to integrate experiences from all schools/units into annual plans, as appropriate. Create scalable framework to support ad-hoc, volunteer-led alumni events across the U.S. that increase SMU's reach to smaller markets and internationally. Support the execution of these events so that they increase overall attendance and engagement, in alignment with the department's strategic plan.
  
• Support or lead the execution of other large-scale alumni programs and activity, especially those related to Distinguished Alumni Awards, SMU Giving Day, SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute, etc. Working with team colleagues, coordinate engagement subcommittee for SMU Alumni Boards and assist with school-based alumni leadership bodies, as requested.
  
• Perform all management duties for four employees, incl. leadership and guidance regarding program strategy, setting appropriate engagement and philanthropic goals, and volunteer governance. Conduct performance reviews, direct staff meetings and provide coaching needed to ensure the staff is engaged and performing at maximum capability. Update greater AGAR, DEA and SMU teams on activity, progress and objectives to ensure cohesive planning process.
  
• Monitor, analyze & report on program effectiveness to Board of Trustees, other volunteer leadership, and SMU stakeholders. Use data-driven insights to build philanthropic-focused next steps into every program plan, ensuring experiences progressively deepen commitment, advance fundraising priorities, & connect activity to holistic SMU/campaign goals. Adjust strategies as needed to reach and exceed AGAR engagement goals & alumni giving rates, benchmarking best practices with outside institutions.
  
• Facilitate interactions with campus colleagues and DEA teams through regular Campus Alumni Representative meetings to develop, promote and co-execute alumni activity that showcases SMU talent, communicates university priorities and builds affinity. Facilitate process discussions related to general data collection, event registration, attendance tracking, volunteer engagement, & marketing that optimize data input and sharing to further personalize and enhance future alumni interactions.
  
• Oversee and manage alumni relations budgets, setting cost-revenue analysis for paid events. Suggest strategy and execute plans related to revenue generating programs such as alumni travel, insurance, credit cards, and similar programs.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
• Position will require travel to regional areas in US to oversee alumni events and athletic partnerships
  
• Position will require occasional to seasonally frequent evening and weekend work. There will be several seasons through the year where this will be required due to the events produced in this role.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. Master's preferred. Degree in Marketing, Communications, Higher Education, Non-Profit Management, desired.

A minimum of five years of experience in non-profit development or alumni relations is required.

Events management experience and large scale volunteer management are required.

Experience in project/process management is also required. Vendor management experience, preferred. Fundraising experience, desired. Experience in a university alumni environment is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Experience with successful cross-department collaboration is essential.

Candidate must have a strong customer service orientation is required as the position will work directly with high profile donors, volunteers & prospects.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Strong analytical & strategic planning skills are essential.

Candidate must have work experience requiring effective writing, proofing & editing skills is required. Familiarity with mass marketing practices and techniques, including creation of copy, best practices for engagement, and strategic analysis of results is also required.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Familiarity with fundraising databases (Blackbaud Enterprise, Salesforce, or other CRM), preferred. Experience with or knowledge of one or more of the following Asana, Slack, Zoom, Google Analytics, monday.com, desired. Experience with or knowledge of volunteer or fundraising management software systems such as Gravyty, GiveCampus, Evertrue is a plus.

Experience with or knowledge of Salesforce Marketing Cloud (or other email marketing tools), preferred. Experience implementing/managing computer platforms, desired. Knowledge of university best practices & CASE engagement metrics is a plus. SMU alum is desired.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, squat, stand, kneel
• Walk for long distances
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Carry/lift 25-50 lbs.
• Drives motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 13, 2024.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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