Director of Alumnae Engagement

About the Institution

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country. Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 254-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally, and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier, and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders. Salem Academy is a boarding and day college preparatory school with a focus on interdisciplinary learning using STEAM, wellness, and leadership.

About the Role

The Director of Alumnae Engagement is responsible for implementing a comprehensive engagement strategy and programming for alumnae in support of Salem Academy and College’s overall mission. This role performs the day-to-day operations of alumnae communications and the planning and execution of programs, including regional events, Reunion Weekend, Academy Alumnae Board and College Alumnae Board meetings, and alumnae networking events (both virtual and in person). The Director assists with annual giving and Reunion giving activities as needed. This role will create and implement initiatives to increase engagement among the 15,000+ alumnae and between the alumnae population and the institution.

The Director of Alumnae Engagement will work closely with the VP of Strategic Initiatives and members of the Institutional Advancement staff to ensure alignment with the goals of the Office of Institutional Advancement and the overall institutional goals. The position requires in-person work in the office and the ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate all aspects of the Academy and College Reunion Weekend, including supervising events, recruiting and working with class leaders, and maintaining frequent contact to ensure attendance, class giving, and participation.
• Plan and coordinate all aspects of alumnae events, both in-person regional events and virtual events such as the bi-annual State of Salem webinars and the virtual book club.
• Build and manage online event invitations and registration forms in Constant Contact and Blackbaud NXT.
• Coordinate and manage the Academy Alumnae Board and the College Alumnae Board to ensure appropriate leadership is in place. Serve as the principal staff liaison to the board for purposes of fulfilling the goals of the institution.
• Work in cooperation with Institutional Advancement and Marketing & Communications to develop content for publications, marketing materials, and alumnae newsletters.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to develop a bi-monthly News from the May Dell newsletter geared toward the alumnae population.
• Work with Marketing & Communications to keep the alumnae web pages (Academy and College) and all institutional social media outlets up-to-date with news, events, and other marketing (Instagram, Facebook, etc.).
• Maintain the official alumnae social media accounts and serve as an administrator (along with several alumnae volunteers) of the “unofficial” social media accounts (Academy and College).
• Educate graduating students about alumnae benefits and engage them in alumnae programs.
• Support Alumnae Awards Committees that publicly recognize outstanding alumnae leaders and Nominating Committees to bring diverse representation of alumnae populations into the Alumnae Boards.
• Foster strong relationships with various constituencies of the Academy and College by responding to inquiries regarding a variety of issues and concerns, including the status or location of graduates, affiliation procedures and policies, and upcoming alumnae activities and events.
• Lead Reunion Class Officer training and coordinate with 80 class officers, who change annually, on a regular basis throughout the Reunion cycle.
• Coordinate the scope of work in collaboration with other Institutional Advancement staff members to maximize efficiencies. Evaluate and implement ways to streamline processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Three to five years of related professional experience, including work in fundraising, planning and managing special events, identifying, training, and working with volunteers, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Highly proficient computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of internal and external constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumnae, parents, donors, volunteers, and friends of the Academy and College.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through the development and composition of professional correspondence and formal presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively multi-task and produce accurate professional work products under demanding timelines.
• Ability to establish cooperative, effective working relationships.
• Outstanding planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Proven ability to display discretion in dealing with sensitive, confidential issues.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel and to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with development or fundraising software.
• Volunteer recruitment and management experience.

Physical Requirements

While performing the responsibilities of the Director of Alumnae Engagement, the employee is required to:

• Sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally stand, walk, and kneel, and regularly ascend/descend stairs.
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard.
• Perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation and view a computer monitor.
• Perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word.
• Work in an office setting.