The Director of Alumni Engagement is responsible for providing innovative leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for the Alumni Engagement program. The Director serves as an ambassador, charged with recruiting alumni to provide professional expertise and volunteer service; collaborating with colleagues to create and maintain pathways for alumni participation in school life; partnering with co-workers to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni giving; and serving as a liaison between the Alumni Association and McDonogh’s academic and administrative leadership.
Essential Functions
- Design, plan, and implement programs and projects to engage alumni in the life of the school
- Develop a strategic plan for alumni engagement. Leverage data and metrics to measure program effectiveness and assess the return on investment for alumni events and engagement strategies
- Coordinate and attend all Alumni Board and committee meetings including preparation of meeting materials and meeting logistics
- Assist with planning and logistics of all Alumni Board committees
- Identify, recruit, and cultivate alumni as volunteers for event hosting and support, for features and profiles in publications, and to provide career guidance to students and fellow alumni, among other volunteer opportunities
- Plan and oversee alumni events, including Dedication Day, Homecoming events, Thanksgiving Weekend Events (Happy Hour, pancake breakfast, sporting events, Will Hauver Memorial Event), Black and Orange Holiday Luncheon, Alumni Golf outing and Reunion Weekend events
- Develop and manage a comprehensive alumni event calendar, budget, and measurable goals. Work with the Director of Stewardship to ensure all events are added to the school calendar
- In partnership with the Director of Donor Relations Marketing, develop strategic marketing plans for all alumni events and activities
- Oversee, manage, and edit Class Notes and alumni pages of the McDonogh Magazine, content for alumni newsletters, alumni pages of the McDonogh website, and alumni social media accounts
- Travel nationally and regionally to visit and cultivate alumni. Plan regional alumni events and coordinate event logistics with alumni hosts
- Oversee and manage alumni awards and ceremonies including the Distinguished Service Award, Young Alumni Award, and the Athletic Hall of Fame. Manage and schedule selection committees, prepare selection materials, notify recipients, and coordinate all aspects of the award presentation ceremony
- Coordinate with the Director of Stewardship and Special Events to coordinate memorial services and award ceremonies
- Partner with the Senior Director of Philanthropy for Advancement Services to manage the McDonogh Connect platform, including data updates and customer support for alumni seeking to join the network; work with the Director of Donor Relations Marketing to develop content and engagement strategies
- Engage current students in alumni programming through the Almost Alumni program
- Write reports for Board of Trustees meetings and Philanthropy Committee meetings
Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. Must have at least 5-7 years of experience in alumni relations, development, nonprofit management, client service or related field.
Additional Experience
- Demonstrated experience with fundraising databases - Raiser’s Edge preferred
- Must have strong computer and analytical skills
- Must have working knowledge and skillset with the Microsoft Office and Google suites of products
Additional Requirements
- A commitment to the McDonogh mission and values
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and sophisticated fundraising environment
- Commitment to continued learning (personal and team) and development on issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Demonstrated respect for relationships both internal and external to the school
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills
- Must be a proactive and strategic thinker
- Must be detail-oriented and able to handle multiple priorities and deadlines
- Must be self-motivated and able to participate effectively in a team
- Strong verbal and written communication skills