Position Summary:

The Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement will lead the overall vision, strategic planning, management, and execution of an alumni engagement program focused on developing and strengthening short and long-term meaningful relationships with Adams State University alumni. This position will be expected to work closely with development colleagues in the Adams State Foundation Office, and collaborate with various departments and areas of the institution, including: communications, special events, faculty, and other key internal partners to contribute to the success of the school and the program. This position reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement.

This role will introduce a new, energetic, creative, and systematic approach to alumni engagement, both in-person and virtually. Outreach and programming are expected to bring Adams State University to a new and significantly more engaged relationship with alumni of the University.

Key activities under the direction of the Office of Alumni Relations include overseeing Homecoming Weekend, steering the Alumni Board and other volunteer leaders, directing ad hoc events and engagement opportunities for various constituencies, and alumni communications.

Key goal of alumni relations is to cultivate engagement through active participation of alumni in University events, to create an esprit de corps of all graduates and friends of Adams State University, and to create a culture of the importance of giving back financially to Adams State University.

Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drives alumni communications and outreach efforts, working closely with the University's Marketing and Public Relations department. Regularly disseminates information to alumni, implements creative ways to communicate with alumni and connect them to one another, and links alumni with current students for networking, mentoring, and employment. Serves as a contributing partner to the Adams State University alumni magazine and suggests content, editing, and-or writing content for alumni-specific pages.

• Ensures a successful and active Alumni Volunteer Club, supports creation of Student Alumni ambassador program, works to ensure alumni have educational opportunities and travel program opportunities

• Oversees functions of the Alumni Association Board and its committees, working closely with board, chapters, and committee chairs. Recruits, trains, and manages board members; guides committee assignments and tasks; and assists the board and alumni chapters in setting clear and measurable goals. Ensure 100% giving by members of the board.

• Oversees online content on social media platforms directed to alumni.

• Works with School of Education on Adams State Teacher Education Hall of Fame inductions.

• Develop and implement  innovative strategies to capture, update and maintain, alumni contact, career information, academic and professional success of alumni and engagement information through surveys, outreach campaigns, and digital tools. 

• Ensures the alumni database is current and safeguarded.

• Prepares, monitors, and administers budget for functional area.

• Supervises Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and has partial supervision for administrative assistant shared with Adams State University Foundation Executive Director. 

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Events Management, Higher Education Administration, or a related field

• 2 years of successful experience in higher education alumni relations (experience in public relations or a related field in which the candidate can demonstrate a successful track record may be substituted);

• 2 years of supervisory experience; 

• knowledge of higher education processes and procedures; 

• amenable to travel and attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars, and workshops;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and well-developed public speaking skills;

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with successful team-building experience both within the team and with campus partners;

• Demonstrated ability in motivating volunteers;

• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of varied cultures or backgrounds;

• Able to meet physical demands such as occasionally lif