Executive Director of Alumni Relations

The University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications and
nominations for the position of Executive Director of Alumni
Relations. The Executive Director of Alumni Relations sets the
strategic direction for engaging the university’s 355,000 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 Senior
Executive Director of Development 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 of 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. More information
can be found at the following websites: https://give.uga.edu/, https://dar.uga.edu/ and https://alumni.uga.edu/.

 

Responsibilities:

 

Strategy and Leadership: Internal Partnerships
(55%)

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 DAR and 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, accountabilities, 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.

 

Strategy and Leadership: External Partnerships
(45%)

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.
• 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.

 

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

 

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing,
  Communications, Public Relations or a related field.

 

Relevant/Preferred Education and Experience

 

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing,
  Communications, Public Relations or a related field.
• At least five years of senior level management experience in
  resource development, strategic planning, public
  relations/communications.
• At least 12 years of related higher education experience; OR an
  equivalent combination of education and experience related to
  marketing, 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 in higher
  education.
• Proven track record with comprehensive campaigns.

 

 

Preferred 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 private funding landscape in higher
  education.
• 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.
• Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong
  relationships with key faculty/staff.
• 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.
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and
  responsibility regarding information related to university business
  and confidential donor and prospect information.
• Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word,
  and PowerPoint.
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback
  on ideas.
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and
  professional way.
• Ability to travel in and out of state.
• Willingness and flexibility to work nights and weekends if
  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.

 

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has
operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most
diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in
our more than 235 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 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700
full-time staff. The university’s enrollment exceeds 40,000
students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000
graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18
schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta
University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

 

As one of the top public universities in the nation, UGA offers
a culture of academic excellence and opportunity made all the
richer by our renowned faculty, diverse community of
scholar-citizens, and vibrant student life program.

 

Applications: Applicant screening will begin
immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by
Sunday, February 25, 2024; however, screening will continue until
the position is filled. The application packet should include a
cover letter detailing how the applicant’s credentials and
experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications
stated above; a current resume; and contact information for three
references (who will not be contacted without further
correspondence with the applicant).

 

All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com.
Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/354337

 

To request a descriptive Opportunity
Profile for this position, provide a nomination, or
seek additional information, please contact Callie West, Primary
Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 805-813-3901 or Callie.West@uga.edu. Letters of
recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and
contact information for the nominee.

 

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