Alumni Relations Officer

Job Description

Dillard University, classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a balanced arts and sciences/professions institution, invites applications and nominations for the position of Alumni Relations Officer. The University is located in the culturally-rich and diverse city of New Orleans, Louisiana.  The successful candidate will be a dynamic and energetic professional who has demonstrated fundraising success in a non-profit setting.     Only individuals who have a passion for education and can commit to immersing him/herself in a university environment need apply.

Position Overview

The Alumni Relations Officer develops and strengthens programs that are designed to enhance alumni participation in the university community.  These programs include on-campus initiatives and off-campus initiatives to engage alumni and students.   

Reporting Relationships – This position reports to the Director of Alumni Relations, who reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Draft, proof, and manage the communications operation of the Alumni Relations Office for the web (monthly e-newsletter, the Alumni Relations web page, social media, etc.), print (articles for the university magazine, letters, Save the Date announcements, etc.), and phone communications (event reminders, appreciation calls, etc.)

• Manage the Alumni Volunteer Program, being careful to secure a consistent team of volunteers, volunteer training, planned assignments, an acknowledgement event, and program evaluation

• Interface with alumni to provide appropriate information and inquiry follow-up; troubleshoot issues to facilitate expedient resolutions

• Work together with the Alumni Relations staff and other departments to plan alumni engagement and student events designed to foster a culture of school pride 

• Assist the Director in the planning and implementation of projects that will educate and secure student buy-in into the university-alumni relationship (including but not limited to programs designed to engage students in fundraising campaigns, workshops on professional development, leadership training, etc.)

• Assist the Director in managing the class agent program to increase alumni participation in Reunion Weekend.

• Experience with design software a plus though not required. 

• Must be available to work some weekends and evenings

• And other duties as assigned

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from an accredited four-year college or university
2. One to Three (1-3) years of alumni relations and/or development experience preferred
3. Excellent oral and written communications skills 
4. Strong organizational skills and ability to work across departments with all levels of staff
5. Independent thinking, analysis, and decision-making skills 
6. High-energy level and ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment 
7. Good presentation skills
8. Ability to work well under pressure
9. Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas
10. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products
11. Ability to work with minimal guidance but with keen appreciation for the professional obligation to timely inform, update, respond to, adhere to, and effectively address goals and issues identified by Division Leadership.          

How to Apply

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

May supervise student workers.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must maintain confidentiality in all work performed. Must be flexible in work schedule. Must be willing on infrequent occasions to work evenings or weekends for special events, report preparation, or proposal deadlines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.