Director of Alumnae Engagement

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at .

Alumnae Relations & Development Job Description

Job Summary

Oversee strategy and programs that advance the Smith alum network with a particular focus on how volunteer service, reunion and broad engagement activities can enhance an alum's connection to the college. Drive the continued evolution of a strategic approach to Reunion weekends and other complex alum engagement events. Lead a data collection and evaluation strategy that helps the larger team regularly assess progress and success on our respective initiatives. With the Alumnae and Donor Relations team and the OAR team, directs the content and strategy of virtual events to meet the needs that particular audiences have for remote learning. Oversee the execution of some all-alum programs like the insurance program and class rings.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Strategy and Program Leadership (50%):

• Design, develop and implement a strategy for creation of a strong volunteer program that is aligned with and educated in Smith's institutional priorities.
• Responsible for implementing this strategy in collaboration with the Volunteer Working Group, supported by the Assistant Director of Alumnae Engagement.
• Plans, implements one regional or campus volunteer training/enrichment event per year.
• Includes recruitment, cultivation, job descriptions, code of conduct, and stewardship activities and resources.
• Will serve as team lead for exploring technical solutions to ongoing volunteer service challenges.
• Interface with the AASC board on topics of volunteer stewardship.
• Serve as departmental thought leader on alum volunteer service.
• Drive and oversee the ongoing evolution of Smith College reunions.
• Provide leadership and decision making strategy to the core reunion team whose principal leader is the Assistant Director of Reunions.
• Offer support for effective collaborations between reunion volunteers and the broader reunion team, including class and milestone liaisons.
• Execute on all Presidential coordination around Reunion.
• Provide leadership on interpreting team metrics - how to consistently measure indicators of success via program evaluations and Salesforce.
• Analyze results and use results to help each team member improve on their work.
• Provide overall team leadership on consistent coding practices so that all emails, events and digital opportunities can be thematically tracked.
• Interfaces with AVP for Advancement Operations to ensure our conformation to best practices, and to innovate our ability to track and measure where possible.
• Provide leadership in general alumnae engagement inquiries and work with colleagues to triage and address as needed.

Program Administration (35%):

• Oversee the successful implementation of volunteer programs.
• Build and maintain a system to issue and track volunteers' acceptance of a Code of Conduct.
• Build and maintain resources for volunteers.
• Develop an annual training program for volunteers.
• Develop an annual enrichment program for volunteers.
• Oversee the staff responsible for reunion planning and implementation.
• Develop and maintain resources for reunion volunteers.
• With the AVP of Advancement Operations, build and maintain a dashboard for the AR team.
• Plan agendas and project manage the work of the Volunteer Working Group.
• Seasonal reunion work.

Departmental Leadership (10%):

• As a member of the Alumnae Relations team leadership and the Alumnae Relations and Development division's Directors team, provide thought leadership regarding alumnae engagement.
• Work closely with colleagues across the Alumnae Relations and Development team to seek out partnerships and collaborations that maximize alum satisfaction and college ROI.
• Support divisional working culture goals and other strategic initiatives.

Other Functions (5%):

• Participate in team meetings, task forces and committees as required.
• Back up other staff needs as necessary.
• Perform related duties as required.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Prior Volunteer management experience is required.
• Complex project management experience is required.
• Previous experience as a supervisor is required.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Higher Education is preferred.
• Experience in alumni engagement or similar teams preferred.

Skills:

• Exceptional strategic thinking/planning, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and oral/written communications skills.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative.
• Orientated toward using data and metrics to enhance results and achieve success.
• Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with volunteers.
• Able to function as a team player in a fast-paced and results-driven environment.
• Ability to interact and work effectively and collaboratively across a complex organization and with a wide range of constituencies.
• Must demonstrate excellent judgement and be able to represent the college appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability employing effective social media strategies to drive communications, build communities and foster engagement.
• Strong computer and technical literacy skills.

Additional Information:

• Occasional weekend and evening work and occasional travel will be required.

Review of applications will begin October 30, 2024.

Position Type: Regular

About Smith College: Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at .

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.