Description

Executive Director of Alumni Relations

The Executive Director of Alumni Relations sets the strategic direction for engaging the university’s 370,000+ living alumni across the world. Production, collaboration, innovation, and purpose will guide this advancement leader.

The Executive Director of Alumni Relations serves as a key member of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) senior leadership team and, through close partnerships with university and volunteer leadership, is responsible for developing strategic objectives for constituent programs, services, and activities to ensure successful engagement and participation among students, alumni, donors, and friends of the university. The Executive Director of Alumni Relations reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations and will maintain close working relationships with the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and other leaders in the division, the UGA Alumni Board of Directors, the University of Georgia Foundation, the President’s Office, the deans of UGA schools and colleges, unit directors, the UGA Athletic Association, alumni committees, and key volunteers in the support of a cohesive and coordinated approach to programming, services and activities.

The Executive Director will lead and direct a staff of professionals in creating forward-thinking programs and work collaboratively with the team to increase commitment among alumni, setting the operational and strategic plan, identifying key metrics, and managing the budget for the UGA Alumni Board and the department of Alumni Relations. The Executive Director will provide guidance and assist with the efforts of schools, colleges, and other units in developing and enhancing strategic programming and constituent engagement while promoting opportunities for financial support for the university. The Executive Director of Alumni Relations will also serve as liaison to the UGA Alumni Board of Directors and work closely with the Board and volunteers in implementing strategies to increase engagement of alumni, students, donors, and friends of the University of Georgia.

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 12 years of professional experience to include 3 years in a leadership role.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years of senior level management experience in resource development, strategic planning, business development, or public relations/communications.  
• At least 12 years of related higher education experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience related to marketing, fundraising, business development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management.
• At least five years of experience working with and managing volunteer boards.
• Proven track record of fundraising success.
• Excellent working knowledge of the University of Georgia, its traditions, history, and values to foster a sense of community and support.
• Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education.
• Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships with key faculty/staff.
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information.
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and professional way.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Strong people management skills and time management skills.
• Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level prospects.
• Knowledge of IRS rules and regulations regarding charitable gifts and non-profit organizations.
• Self-starter and highly motivated.
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment.
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations.
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines.
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities.
• Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas.

Additional Division Expectations

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• Work in a standard office environment
• Travel in and out of state
• Willingness and flexibility to work nights and weekends necessary
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Duties/Responsibilities

(55%) Strategy and Leadership: Internal Partnerships

Alumni Relations Team

• Build and lead results-focused teams with a leadership style that encourages confidence and promotes an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit among the team and shareholders.
• Lead a strategic and financial annual review and development process for the Alumni Relations team. This includes close collaboration with leadership across the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) and the development of a plan that provides guidance and mentorship to the Alumni team for their annual priorities and activities in support of the mission goals of the Division.
• Structure, appoint, establish, communicate, and reinforce staff assignments, accountability, performance expectations, and goals for staff reporting to this position.
• Ensure representation of the Alumni Relations team in the planning and execution of DAR signature programs, including strategic planning, engagement, and event execution.
• Collaborate with DAR leadership on strategy to set goals, annual plans, and metrics to measure engagement and alumni programming in connection to fundraising and other DAR priorities.

Campus Partners

• Establish and nurture strong relationships and promote engagement with academic leaders, senior staff, and DAR colleagues across campus to strengthen alumni programming and align the work of the Alumni Relations team with the strategic goals and priorities of DAR.
• Provide guidance and assist with the efforts of the schools, colleges, and other units in developing and enhancing alumni programming and engagement and promoting opportunities for financial support of the university

(45%) Strategy and Leadership: External Partnerships

Engagement of alumni, donors, and friends of the University

• Provide the architecture for engagement between UGA and its alumni, friends, and constituents.
• Lead and create strategies and programs that drive personal connection, affinity, and investment in UGA pursuing, always, the best constituent experience.
• Grow the pipeline of engaged alumni, parents, friends, and constituents to support fundraising priorities and advance the mission of UGA.
• Develop strong relationships with UGA alumni and community to support strategic objectives for the alumni programs, services, and activities to ensure successful outcomes. Ensure that programming and engagement are connected to opportunities for financial support of the university.
• Lead the strategy for engagement of alumni in geographic markets in collaboration with the priorities of DAR.
• Manage internal teams responsible for programing to external audiences.
• Represent the University of Georgia at key institutional and community events to cultivate strategic relationships and advance alumni engagement and development priorities.
• Deliver speeches and present information that promotes the mission of the Office of Alumni Relations, encourages constituent engagement, alumni giving and participation, and accomplishes other objectives pertinent to the role.

Strategic Leadership of the UGA Alumni Board and Volunteer Leaders

• Lead the direction of the UGA Alumni Board, prioritizing the recruitment, selection, and training of effective alumni board members.
• Create and sustain an effective volunteer alumni board strategic plan that enables DAR and the University of Georgia to achieve their mission.
• Coordinate alumni board assignments and goals to enhance the collaborative goals of the priorities of DAR.
• Confer with board members, organize board leaders, and staff liaisons to carry out the priorities of DAR.
• Cultivate and sustain strong professional relationships with board members and volunteer leaders to ensure effective collaboration, mutual accountability, and clear, consistent communication in support of DAR priorities.

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the Division of Development and Alumni Relations

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.

About the Office of Alumni Relations

The UGA Alumni Association advances the academic excellence, interests, and traditions of Georgia’s flagship university by inspiring engagement through relevant programming, enhanced connections, and effective communications.

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Requirements

The Executive Director of Alumni Relations sets the strategic direction for engaging the university’s 370,000+ living alumni across the world. Production, collaboration, innovation, and purpose will guide this advancement leader.

The Executive Director of Alumni Relations serves as a key member of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) senior leadership team and, through close partnerships with university and volunteer leadership, is responsible for developing strategic objectives for constituent programs, services, and activities to ensure successful engagement and participation among students, alumni, donors, and friends of the university. The Executive Director of Alumni Relations reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations and will maintain close working relationships with the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and other leaders in the division, the UGA Alumni Board of Directors, the University of Georgia Foundation, the President’s Office, the deans of UGA schools and colleges, unit directors, the UGA Athletic Association, alumni committees, and key volunteers in the support of a cohesive and coordinated approach to programming, services and activities.

The Executive Director will lead and direct a staff of professionals in creating forward-thinking programs and work collaboratively with the team to increase commitment among alumni, setting the operational and strategic plan, identifying key metrics, and managing the budget for the UGA Alumni Board and the department of Alumni Relations. The Executive Director will provide guidance and assist with the efforts of schools, colleges, and other units in developing and enhancing strategic programming and constituent engagement while promoting opportunities for financial support for the university. The Executive Director of Alumni Relations will also serve as liaison to the UGA Alumni Board of Directors and work closely with the Board and volunteers in implementing strategies to increase engagement of alumni, students, donors, and friends of the University of Georgia.