Alumni Engagement Manager

This role is responsible for delivering and managing a collaborative campus-wide strategy for alumni relations, with a focus on increasing engagement and involvement amongst our global community of alumni in support of the University’s strategic objectives.

Working as part of a senior team in Development and Alumni Relations and with staff across the University, the postholder will deliver and develop a long-term strategy to increase the contribution of our global community of 100,000 alumni, to support University goals and priorities through high quality and sustained Alumni Engagement programming, with a focus around alumni volunteering.

The role will provide strategic and operational direction in managing the work of the Alumni Relations team to deliver an integrated approach to achieving continual growth in Alumni Engagement, stewardship, volunteering and giving to the University, most notably for student hardship and special projects, such as Old College Appeal, scholarships and research.

The postholder will research and analyse current and prospective volunteers and donors, establish compelling propositions and for both volunteering and fundraising and develop creative and motivating ways of stewarding/ thanking volunteers and donors, recognising their contribution and their impact on the University.

Working closely with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations, the role holder will routinely represent the University at external events, conferences and meetings in the UK and internationally, including with high profile stakeholders, negotiating successful outcomes to support the development of the Alumni Engagement and volunteering strategy.

The post holder will manage the Alumni Volunteering and Engagement Officer and DARO Stewardship Officer and work closely with the Director to achieve their plans and to support departmental goals.

Where a visa sponsorship is likely, this section must briefly but clearly state the main duties and responsibilities of the role.

To make an informal enquiry, please contact Lyndsey Stokes, Development and Alumni Relations Director at lyr6@aber.ac.uk.

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

The successful applicant will be required to:

• To work collaboratively with other members of DARO team and the Director to enhance and deliver a bold and innovative alumni relations strategy which inspires individuals to stay in touch with the University and to give their time, networks and/or money to support key University objectives.
• To lead the Alumni Relations team ensuring that colleagues perform effectively to meet key targets in line with the alumni relations strategy.
• To promote awareness and understanding of Alumni Engagement across the University, developing and managing relationships and inspiring internal colleagues within faculties and professional services to identify impactful opportunities to enrich the alumni programme and support institutional priorities, with a focus on alumni volunteering.
• To lead the University’s international alumni activity, ensuring effective engagement with notable alumni, fellows, Old Students Association, alumni chapters, international alumni ambassadors, and to facilitate reunions which contribute to awareness raising, student recruitment, volunteering and alumni giving.
• To advise and support the University to plan and deliver strategic projects which involve the alumni community, including international delegations, marketing campaigns and recruitment activities.
• To lead the design and management of an integrated multi-platform alumni communications and stewardship plan, including the PROM magazine, e-newsletters, direct marketing campaigns, volunteer bulletins, rich media content, website, alumni portal, and social media.
• Ensure that these plans are integrated with other fundraising and alumni relations activity and stewardship plans, including major gifts and trusts and foundations, and plans to work in partnership with the Old Students’ Association and other Alumni groups.
• To strategically lead the development, delivery and evaluation of an institution-wide alumni volunteering and engagement programme, so that our alumni become involved in the fabric of university life.
• To design and lead an impactful alumni events programme in partnership with the Events team and regional hubs, comprising local, national and international events.
• To frequently represent the University at alumni (and other) events in the UK and overseas.
• To ensure the work of the Alumni Relations team delivers against annually agreed targets.
• To plan and manage the Alumni Relations budget, ensure resource is budgeted, spent effectively and creatively and is actively monitored.
• Establish plans and targets for the Alumni Volunteering and Engagement Officer and DARO Stewardship Officer in support of the team targets for volunteering, engagement and fundraising.
• Manage the postholders to achieve their targets and maximise performance though training and support and regular review.
• Alert the Director on potential risks to reputation arising from volunteering and fundraising activity and recommend actions to address these.
• Undertake other tasks as agreed with the Director in support of departmental objectives.
• To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

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