Senior Director Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $71,041 and $89,867, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Senior Director of Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations will provide the vision and leadership for developing and implementing a comprehensive donor and alumni engagement program that will provide meaningful opportunities for connection, recognition, service, and personal and professional development for donors, alumni, and key families / parents. The position's major responsibility is the development of an overall 'best in class' donor engagement program in the College of Arts and Sciences. The incumbent is charged with expanding and elevating these programs, defining related annual and long-term goals, creating strategies and actions that enable the college to reach, engage, and retain as many donors as possible through impactful and strategic communication, acknowledgement, engagement, recognition, stewardship, and reporting. The senior director will organize and direct the College's stewardship of all major endowed funds of the College and supervise the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Stewardship and the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Coordinator in executing this and other functions. The senior director will create, oversee, and execute all Homecoming and Reunion activities including a Special Gifts Program for the 50th Reunion class; this will include managing a stewardship and engagement portfolio of 150+ top prospects / donors. These programs will enhance alumni and donor loyalty, dedication, and increase philanthropic support for the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Pairing data driven best practices with the art of relationship-based engagement, the senior director will use data and tracking infrastructure to generate valuable affinity intelligence, which will drive strategy and programming.

As a member of the Development and External Relations leadership team, the senior director will work closely with the Dean of the College, the Vice Dean for Development and External Relations, the Executive Director, frontline fundraising staff, and other key university colleagues to recruit and retain new and existing donors through innovative strategic initiatives. The senior director will leverage current campus and community partnerships to increase opportunities for engagement and create new initiatives to foster collaboration among corporate, career, executive education, and workplace facing staff. The senior director will activate donor and alumni connections around interdisciplinary academic areas, multidisciplinary occupations, cross-functional initiatives, and social causes that align with college priorities. The senior director will facilitate a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds while supervising the assistant director of alumni engagement and stewardship, annual giving and alumni relations coordinator, and student employees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide vision, direction, leadership, and oversight for all donor engagement activities of the college, including determining strategic direction for increasing donor acquisition, engagement, solicitation, and retention. Develop and execute signature strategic initiatives, including acknowledgement, event management, stewardship, and recognition efforts, that engage donors and raise the visibility of the college and university among constituents locally, nationally, and internationally. In partnership with other staff, utilize annual, special, and major giving strategies as part of an overall donor engagement strategy with particular focus on reunion class giving. Oversee College recognition societies outreach and engagement, including planned giving and loyal donors. Supervise the Assistant Director of Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations and Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Coordinator. Collaborate with College of Arts and Sciences fundraising team to establish goals, objectives, and programmatic efforts to strengthen donor philanthropic engagement. (45%)
• Manage and direct the college's alumni relations program in partnership with central University Development and Relations colleagues. Develop and execute activities and solicitation plans for the 50th Reunion and other alumni affinity groups through targeted segmentation (academic, departmental, special interest, professional affiliations, etc.). Identify and cultivate volunteer leadership, develop strategies for the success of alumni groups, and support their events and activities. Develop and coordinate the marketing efforts for alumni affinity program. Serve as the college's liaison with the Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University and collaborate to best serve the college's alumni, donors, and friends. (10%)
• Engage donors and alumni in the life of the college and university through consistent and positive communication, exceptional customer service, and the creation of meaningful opportunities for recognition, volunteerism, service, personal and professional development, and events and programs. Develop and implement organizational and strategic communication plans that incorporate clear definition of goals, target audiences, and strategies in line with institutional goals. (10%)
• Oversee, prepare, edit, proofread, and approve the creation of informational and promotional materials including highly customized correspondence, reports, newsletters, proposals, advertisements, and other personalized communications for top donors. Serve as the development team's principal liaison to University Marketing and Communications. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

CONTACTS

Department : Daily contact with the dean, vice dean for development and external relations, executive director, and other University Relations and Development colleagues and the dean¿s office to maintain workflow.

University : Continuous contact with university trustees, College of Arts and Sciences visiting committee members, faculty, and staff to exchange information.

External : Continuous contact with university with major donors to the college and university and alumni locally, nationally, and internationally to initiate and facilitate volunteer engagement at all levels, provide information and solicit donations as appropriate.

Students : Frequent contact with undergraduate and graduate students to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Will directly supervise assistant director of alumni engagement and stewardship and annual giving and alumni relations coordinator as well as student employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience : 7 or more years of successful, progressive experience in alumni and donor relations or related fields, including demonstrable creativity, strong communication and writing skills, and effectiveness is required. A record of increasing revenue and engagement through outreach activities and / or financial commitment rates is required. 5 or more years of experience managing staff preferred.

Education / Licensing : Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in business / strategic planning is strongly desired.

REQUIRED SKILLS

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office working environment. Job frequently requires travel and attendance at evening and / or weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars, and workshops. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.