Associate Director of Events and Engagement

Department

Harris School Alumni Relations

About the Department

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what’s best for society—and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Alumni Relations, the Associate Director of Events and Engagement will lead new and innovative programming focused on the experience of Harris alumni and donors. The Associate Director will serve as an integral member of the Alumni Relations and Development team and will collaborate with a variety of research centers and initiatives to further the interests of public policy alumni. This individual will be responsible for the creation and logistics management of alumni and donor events, as well as developing and executing strategy for other lifelong learning and professional development opportunities for Harris alumni.

Harris Alumni Relations and Development is dedicated to building lifelong relationships to maximize the intellectual, social, professional, and financial engagement of all Harris Public Policy alumni, parents, and friends to advance the strategic objectives of the school. Our work has a transformative impact on Harris students and faculty, driving significant contributions of time, talent, and resources back to Harris.

Responsibilities

• Oversees a suite of large-scale alumni events, programs, and communications, including Harris Reunion Weekend, Harris Alumni Awards, class year and identity-based affinity programming and initiatives, and industry and career programs and initiatives.
• Organizes and executes high-quality events and programs that cater to alumni interests and drive engagement.
• Develops a calendar of programs that includes both in-person domestic and international events planned well in advance, as well as virtual events, that are topical and responsive to the news of the moment and the interests of alumni. Participates in the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of intellectual engagement programs. Identifies, cultivates, and recruits faculty and other high-level speakers for participation in intellectual engagement programming.
• Develops a calendar of programs that engages alumni in lifelong learning, career skills building, or professional development more broadly.
• Builds a plan to engage and connect alumni across industry and career focused groups based on certificate programs and policy area expertise.
• Leverages a variety of resources, including but not limited to colleagues, media resources, and other research, to develop and maintain a deep understanding of faculty research and University priorities, in order to create innovative and responsive programs.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with alumni, including managing a portfolio of alumni volunteers and Alumni Council members, leveraging their expertise and passion.
• Utilizes technology and social media platforms to enhance alumni communities, foster connections, and increase digital engagement of Harris alumni.
• Has a deep understanding of strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.
• Creates and proposes budgets as outlined by project needs and objectives. Monitors revenue and expense performance; ensures adherence to determined budget requirements.
• Works to implement ideas for improvement as they are identified in addition to providing post-event feedback on turnout and vendor performance with direction from others.
• Works closely with the communications team to develop promotional materials and outreach strategies to cultivate audiences.
• Coordinates with colleagues in development to ensure accurate tracking for prospect development.
• Is part of the strategy of the Alumni Association in order to provide peerless service to alumni worldwide and develop lifelong relationships in a manner consistent with sound business practices and overarching Univers