Assistant Director, Student and Young Alumni Programming

Job Description :

REPORTS TO : Director, Young Alumni and Student Philanthropy

DIVISION : University Advancement

DEPARTMENT : Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving

JOB SUMMARY : Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic, goal-oriented Assistant Director of Student & Young Alumni Programming.

The Assistant Director will report to the Director, Student & Young Alumni Philanthropy and will be responsible for the support of design and implementation of successful senior class and young alumni programming and for creating volunteer opportunities for our current students and most recent graduates.

The Assistant Director will work collaboratively within the Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving (AEAG) team to manage student and young alumni volunteer recruitment and activities, design student and young alumni-focused programs and events, and identify potential young alumni volunteers and donors.

They will work closely with the Director to develop strategy and vision for student and young alumni programs and volunteers to enhance the University’s pipeline of engaged alumni and donors.

EDUCATION : Bachelors or equivalent

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION :

EXPERIENCE : Prior experience advising or working with undergraduate student groups, young alumni or volunteers is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS : Not required but preferred : Microsoft Office Suite. Raiser’s Edge or comparable CRM. GiveCampus, Anthology, or similar Advancement software experience.

WORK CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT :

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES :

Student Philanthropy :

Serve as primary advisor to the Student Alumni Association (SAA) and Senior Class Gift (SCG) Committees

Advise and supervise the SAA and SCG executive boards and membership; provide counsel on program development, implementation, and budget management;

Ensure organizational compliance with University policies and procedures; represent the organizations to University leadership

Create Senior Class Gift Committee to assist in managing and engaging their classmates and developing Senior Class Gift events

Implement and Identify opportunities to educate and engage all undergraduate alumni on philanthropy

Work collaboratively with Program Manager, Phonathon & Student Giving on Senior Class Gift goals / asks, etc. and to plan and execute series of Senior Class Gift Events

Work with the AEAG team to develop student-focused engagement opportunities for STAGiving Day, Giving Tuesday, and Philanthropy Week

Alumni Engagement, Advancement :

Plan and support YA-focused programming (networking receptions and other social and professional opportunities) independent of or in conjunction with regional alumni activity / chapters

Serve as liaison for 5th and 10th reunions

Actively build and maintain a pipeline of recent graduates and students for volunteer opportunities / volunteer support for student and young alumni programs

Liaise with campus partners to identify and establish alumni student engagement opportunities during their student experience

Work collaboratively within the Advancement team to identify and transition young alumni into other volunteer roles to continue to cultivate the next generation of alumni leaders.

Design, plan, and execute additional young alumni-focused programs and events (in-person and virtual).

Coordinate all logistics, strategic marketing, and reporting for Young Alumni Program, in collaboration with other AEAG Programs.

Partner with Special Events colleagues to organize and guide Young Alumni engagement and support of signature University Alumni events.

Annual Giving, Advancement :

Create and manage Young Alumni constituents. Dependent on applicant experience, this position may carry a small portfolio of engaged alumni.

Collaborate with the Annual Giving team on the implementation of STAGiving Day, Reunions, and other priority programming.

Monitor progress towards program goals and adjust tactics as needed to ensure objectives are met, reporting on results.

Construct, with the Director, a culture of giving back within our graduating seniors and most recent grads through ask strategies and stewardship opportunities.

This position works with students and young alumni through advising, events, etc. Night and weekend hours are expected as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

2+ years of relevant experience in volunteer engagement and / or fundraising with students or recent alumni.

Previous experience creating and executing with engagement strategies and programs.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, with proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Knowledge of the marketing creative / design process for printed collateral, social media & video.

Experience with project management and / or marketing platforms (e.g. Wrike) preferred.

Knowledge of GiveCampus, Anthology and / or similar online giving / engagement / online giving / event registration software (not required but desirable).

Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge and NXT or comparable CRM (not required but desirable).

Goal-driven, outcome-oriented, and self-motivated; able to work independently.

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines; thrives in a rapidly changing environment.

Able to effectively build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents;

present a professional demeanor when interfacing with students, donors, colleagues, and vendors.

WORK CONDITIONS

Occasional travel is required, primarily local and regional, and some overnight travel and driving at night. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends throughout the year to support Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, the Advancement division, and University prospect / donor-facing events.

Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality. Valid driver’s license required. This position is based at Fairfield University’s 1073 North Benson Road (Fairfield CT) campus and is not eligible for immigration assistance.

About Fairfield University

Only 50 miles from New York City, Fairfield University is 200 acres of innovation and inspiration on Connecticut’s southern coast a values-based, student-centric, outcomes-focused Jesuit Catholic University committed to cultivating mind, body, and spirit through a 500-year-old Jesuit tradition, one of the oldest and most successful academic traditions in the world.

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, Fairfield University is a coeducational institution of higher learning that prepares students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world.

Fairfield’s primary objectives are to develop the creative intellectual potential of students and to foster insight, empathy, critical rigor, and a determination to serve and promote justice.

Since its inception, Fairfield has grown from a small liberal arts college with an inaugural class of 300 male undergraduate students into a coeducational university of nearly 6,000 students, both undergraduate and graduate.

Today, Fairfield is a growing and highly competitive university that has earned a reputation for educational excellence and has been consistently recognized as one of the top institutions in the Northeast.

The University is now emerging onto the national stage with professional schools and programs that are consistently ranked among the best in the country.

In March of 2024, Fairfield’s women’s basketball team qualified for the NCAA tournament, driving excitement for their students, family, alumni, and friends across the country and beyond.

About University Advancement

The University Advancement division, comprised of nearly 50 staff members, includes Development (Major Gifts, Planned Gifts, Parent Engagement & Philanthropy, Corporate Relations), Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, Athletic Development, Special Events, Advancement Operations (Prospect Research & Management, Advancement Technology & Information Services, Stewardship), and Advancement Finance.

This comprehensive, highly experienced, goal-oriented, and innovative team utilizes industry best practices and SMART goals to create, implement, and execute programs and initiatives to exceed goals.

University Advancement prides itself on its collaborative can do attitude, inquisitive spirit, and its reputation for excellence and mutual cooperation with campus partners.

Since 1985, University Advancement has completed three capital campaigns and is now in the early stages of a new, comprehensive campaign, expected to launch in the near future.

Diversity & Inclusive Excellence

The Fairfield University community is committed to respecting and valuing one another, finding the common good rooted in us all, and working collaboratively to achieve their potential as a modern Jesuit Catholic institution.

Fairfield aspires to be an inclusive, welcoming community that is representative of an ever-changing and diverse global populace.

Through radical hospitality, Fairfield welcomes and invites all into the learning community, and is dedicated to pursuing shared standards of excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and service.

Category : Advancement - Admin

Advancement - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental / University needs indicate.

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and / or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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