Alumni and Supporter Engagement Officer (Projects)

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.  Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and the Department

The Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) is responsible for coordinating philanthropy, alumni and supporter engagement, advancement services, and supporter communications on behalf of the University. DARO works with colleges, academic departments, research centres and institutes, wider student experience partners, and professional departments to engage over 230,000 alumni and supporters around the world. 

In support of this global operation, the Alumni and Supporter Engagement (ASE) team are ultimately responsible for building and maintaining lifelong community connections, driving continuously higher levels of engagement, including providing opportunities and support for our alumni; engaging and managing volunteers and their contributions pan university across a range of areas – from colleges support to global ambassadors; managing annual giving and fundraising appeals, and developing and delivering advancement communications initiatives. The ASE team consists of a dedicated team of Advancement professionals underpinning and complementing the vital work of DARO. 

The role of Alumni and Supporter Engagement Officer (Projects) is a key part of the ASE team. The post-holder will coordinate alumni and supporter engagement requests from all colleges ensuring a smooth and efficient service that maintains positive working relationships with internal collegeagues from colleges. The role will support and where appropriate lead on the continuous improvement and development of the alumni offer in line with global trends. The role will also work to enhance student and alumni awareness of Durham’s network and benefits programme. It will take some leadership under the guidance of the Alumni and Supporter Engagement Manager (Volunteers and Networks) on the delivery of all alumni and supporter engagement projects, running multiple and often simultaneous activities across various stakeholders and markets.

This role will suit a candidate interested in a dynamic and varied role interested in expanding and developing their current project management skills.

Working at Durham  

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

•    27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    We offer generous pension schemes. 

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  
Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.    Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2.    Experience and expertise in the development and delivery of administrative services. 

3.    Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including senior colleagues.   

4.   Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

5.    Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

6.    Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and business systems.

7.    Committed to continuing professional development.

8.    Ability to plan and organise events and activities involving the service.

9.    Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

10.  Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

11.  Evidence of project management and project leadership from start through to completion.

12.  Ability to contribute to planning at operational level.

Desirable Criteria

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Please note previous applicants/candidates need not apply.

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 

What you are required to submit

•   A CV.
•   A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details 
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Mellissa Abdu, ASE Manager (Volunteers and Networks) would be happy to speak to you. Please contact [email protected]  

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service provided and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
• Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible. For example, by coordinating alumni and supporter engagement requests from all colleges ensuring a smooth and efficient service which follows existing processes and procedures.
• Support the continuous improvement and development of the alumni offer in line with global trends and sector best practice. 
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as increasing student, alumni and supporter engagement with university-supported alumni social media accounts and make recommendations based on your findings.
•  Manage, maintain and monitor designated systems to ensure safety, security and compliance.
•  Provide the best possible service to staff, students, alumni and others who you work with by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.
•  Collect and record data and information accurately.
•  Organise and analyse data and statistics to ensure it is accurate and provide reports to senior colleagues.
•  Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.
•  Conduct market research and stakeholder focus groups to ensure offer aligns with constituent needs.
•  Support the development of partnerships with Durham University on-campus service providers, global suppliers and partner institutions to promote aggregated rewards, offers, and discounts   to alumni and supporter networks.
• Develop programmes designed to enhance Durham’s global brand through the development of alumni merchandise.
• Lead on the launch of a new digital platform for alumni and supporter engagement activities, events, networking, and mentoring.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events. For example, manage and coordinate a suite of alumni and supporter engagement projects, activities and benefits, including engaging students and recent graduates, ensuring their sustainability and scalability in the longer term in accordance with agreed objectives. 
• Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in delivering events, project work or core operational service.
• Seek feedback from staff, students, alumni and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services and provide related advice and guidance to other staff.

Communication/Liaison

• Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
• Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
• Build relationships with alumni, staff and students to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

MATERNITY COVER

Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended.

SECONDMENT
If an internal member of staff is appointed to this role on a secondment basis, for pension purposes this will be processed in line with Step-Up arrangements. For further details please click here.
If an internal member of staff is appointed to this role on a secondment basis, for pension purposes this will be processed in line with Step-Up arrangements. 

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.