Director Alumni and Parent Engagement

About the position

The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement provides an important avenue in which alumni, parents and friends engage with Furman as key stakeholders in its future. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement will provide leadership and management for the development and implementation of programs that promote alumni and parent engagement and philanthropy to Furman. Responsible for the conceptualization, organization and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated alumni and parent program that encourages engagement with the institution through volunteerism and fundraising on and off the campus. The Director's oversight includes all national and international programming, volunteer leadership, alumni board and councils, communications, and other activities designed to engage two of Furman's most important constituencies, its alumni and parents of current and former students.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan with metrics for alumni and parent engagement that includes annual goals to measure increased alumni and parent engagement as volunteers and through philanthropy to support the University's objectives.
• Working closely with the Associate Vice President and the Director of Annual Giving, create a path for volunteerism that directly builds a broad pipeline of philanthropy.
• Approach the conceptualization, organization, and implementation of an integrated alumni engagement program through an assertive strategy of targeted, research-driven, and increasingly digital approaches that promotes volunteerism and philanthropy.
• Manage all aspects of the program with a disciplined, data-driven approach.
• Establish measurable goals and objectives for all programs and events within the department and ensure the successful completion of those goals.
• Manage and prioritize resource allocation for programs such as homecoming, reunions, regional events, career networking activities, online programs, alumni awards, and legacy events.
• Partner with other development colleagues to develop dashboards used to manage key performance metrics.
• Manage volunteer leadership groups with direct oversight of the Alumni Board and Black Alumni Council.
• Create a strategy to ensure representation, inclusion and active engagement of Furman's diverse community of alumni and parents.
• Collaborate within the Development division and with other offices on campus to align programming with fundraising, student recruitment, and The Furman Advantage.
• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty and campus departments.
• Represent the University on campus, to the Furman community and to the broader external community.
• Develop and deliver clear and cohesive alumni and parent communications and messages.
• Manage all resources for alumni and parent engagement operations including budgets, ongoing staff recruiting, and professional development.
• Lead, manage, mentor and support the Alumni and Parent Engagement staff.
• Maintain a small portfolio of alumni to support the processes and conversations regarding gift officer work.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Vice President for Development and the Associate Vice President for Development.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree with 5+ years of experience in alumni relations, fundraising or related field.
• Graduate degree a plus.
• Furman alumnus preferred.
• Strategic planning skills, visionary thinker.
• Strong interpersonal skills including a service-oriented approach.
• Experience managing staff and volunteers is required.
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to build and sustain a successful team environment.
• Experience planning, managing, and evaluating events.
• Working knowledge of the applications of social media and digital communication.
• Skilled communicator, whether speaking or writing.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects.
• High energy level and a sense of humor.

Benefits

• Regular travel is required.