Assistant Director, Service and Affinity Programs
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Months Per Year : 12
Employment Status : Full-Time
Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin, and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live, and work at Seattle University.
Position Description
The University Advancement Office is committed to creating an anti-racist environment that addresses and works to eliminate inequities and all forms of oppression, while celebrating different cultures.
We are looking for like-minded team members from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the complex issues surrounding implicit bias, and other systemic oppressions, as well as a commitment to the university’s mission, vision, and values, with the goal of developing an equitable and inclusive work environment.
Purpose:
Reporting to the Director of Alumni Engagement, the Assistant Director for Service and Affinity Programs is responsible for supporting alumni volunteers of all backgrounds engaged in service to the University and community. In addition to alumni volunteers serving on committees or as volunteer leaders for various affinity groups, this role is responsible for directly engaging other key affinity groups such as reunion attendees, retirees, and faculty emeriti.
The Assistant Director for Service and Affinity Programs will guide our commitment to remaining anchored in our Jesuit character by promoting inclusive excellence through affinity programming designed to engage underrepresented communities and by strengthening professional formation through providing consistent mission informed opportunities for service and engagement. This position will work collaboratively with the UA events and marketing teams to directly plan engagement opportunities for some affinity groups, while working with volunteers to support their planning of engagement opportunities for others. This position will support the coordination and oversight of volunteers for Day of Service, Reunions, other Alumni Engagement events, and various identity and affinity-based programs.
This position will collaborate with Campus Partners, other members of the Engagement Team, Advancement Marketing, and the University Events Team, to manage volunteers and successfully facilitate programs and events. Success in this role will require independent leadership and self-directed organization and planning, along with strong communication with diverse community members and internal and external partners.
Primary Job Functions:
- Develop, build, and maintain positive, long-term relationships with volunteers and oversee volunteer recruitment, placement, training, and recognition.
- Recruit and manage robust volunteer committees facilitating effective communication between volunteers and execute regularly occurring meetings.
- Manage all aspects of the reunion experience at Seattle University including volunteer committee recruitment, program development, and event logistics in partnership with the Engagement Team and University Events Team.
- Develop community outreach strategies and feedback mechanisms to regularly evaluate and assess volunteers' experiences and identify needs.
- Collaborate with Alumni Engagement Team to identify programs, resources, and opportunities for collective alumni communities by leveraging impact areas of the team.
- Act as a liaison to volunteers from UA, sharing information and involving volunteers in important events and campaigns, such as the Alumni Awards and SU Gives.
Affinity Programming (30%):
- Serve as the primary contact to support and manage affinity and identity-based alumni communities led by alumni volunteer leaders.
- Coordinate events and programs that grow engagement of diverse alumni across regional and affinity segments.
- Work with the Office of the Provost to strategize and plan events and communications to steward faculty emeriti and honored staff retirees.
- Actively maintain electronic documentation of contacts with alumni, other constituents, and partners.
- Establish criteria and guidelines for the formation and continuation of affinity groups including recruitment guidelines, inclusive governance policies, and volunteer agreements for volunteer leaders.
- Ensure affinity communities have clear objectives and expectations that contribute to the strategic plan established by the Engagement Team.
Service Engagement (20%):
- Actively seek and develop mission-centered service opportunities in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with alumni and partners ensuring timely response to inquiries.
- Demonstrate use of independent judgement and initiative to identify and propose service opportunities and work with the Engagement and Advancement Marketing teams to promote service opportunities that actively engage alumni from diverse backgrounds.
Other Duties (10%):
- Responsibly manage program budgets and assist with administrative operations as needed.
- Partner and collaborate with development officers and annual giving team, ensuring that our Advancement work is integrated and strategic.
- Develop, support, and attend Alumni Engagement and University wide core programs for the alumni association throughout the year.
Qualifications:
- Two to four years’ experience in administering programs or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above.
- Proven experience coordinating projects with volunteers.
- Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbal with diverse individuals.
- Ability to exercise judgment and maintain confidentiality on a wide spectrum of topics and issues for which discretion is required.
- Strong leadership and project management skills evidenced in planning and executing tasks and priorities with overlapping timelines.
- Experience with event and/or program planning.
- Ability to work effectively, strategically, and tactfully with a wide range of both internal and external partners and team members.
- Strong knowledge of budgetary procedures, process, and fiscal responsibilities.
- Willingness to work during nonstandard business hours, which will include evenings and weekends, and willingness to travel as needed.
- All candidates must show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university’s mission, vision, and values.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in developing and leading implementation of strategic program plans or major initiatives in higher education or a relevant environment.
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge or comparable database.
- Demonstrated experience initiating and supporting partnerships with community organizations.
- Experience working in a community building organization.
- Experience working with the fundraising component of community development.
Reporting Relationships:
The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Alumni Engagement, supporting the programs that involve and engage volunteers and constituent audiences. Alumni functions are led by the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement, which resides in the Division of University Advancement. This position will also work closely with the Assistant Director of Lifelong Alumni Engagement, the Assistant Director of Student & Young Alumni Experience, the Graduate Coordinator of Student & Alumni Engagement, and 2-3 Student Alumni Ambassadors.
Application Instructions:
Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.
Compensation at a Glance:
Salary Range: $62,000 - $68,000
Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.
Benefits at a Glance:
Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at:
Hybrid Eligible:
This position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule after successful completion of an introductory work period of 3-6 months. This may mean that a hybrid eligible role will begin on-campus initially and then will transition to hybrid format following onboarding and training. Flexible work plans are subject to periodic review and may be changed or terminated at any time for any reason at the university’s discretion.