The Placement Exchange Job Board

Assistant Director/Associate Director of Strategic Engagement

Student Affairs Office of Advancement

The Student Affairs Office of Advancement at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a full-time Assistant Director/Associate Director of Strategic Engagement. In this newly created role, the Assistant Director/Associate Director will work in collaboration with advancement and Student Affairs unit colleagues to support fundraising priorities and the advancement of relationships with key constituents through the development and implementation of innovative and data-driven engagement, communication, and stewardship strategies.

Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is comprised of 30 departments and is one of the most comprehensive Student Affairs organizations in the country. The Student Affairs advancement program was established 25 years ago and has the infrastructure for success in attracting annual and major gifts and corporate partnerships. Opportunities exist to grow private support for a variety of areas, including student support, success, and persistence initiatives; health, wellness, and wellbeing programs; auxiliary units; multiple cultural centers; and emergency support for students.

Job Summary

This position will assist in supporting fundraising priorities and the advancement of relationships with key constituents through the development and implementation of innovative and data-driven engagement, communication, and stewardship strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Constituent Engagement & Strategy

• Develop and implement strategies to connect stakeholders, including alumni, donors, students, student organizations, families, friends, faculty, and staff, to Student Affairs units, fundraising initiatives, and campaign priorities.
• Create affinity-based constituent populations utilizing data provided by Student Affairs units.
• Implement an engagement strategy that includes events, volunteerism, and communications to increase connectivity with key stakeholder groups.
• Manage and organize engagement activities, including in-person events, virtual events, and constituent emails.
• Identify and analyze target populations for stakeholder communication efforts.
• Manage a small portfolio of engagement plans for key constituents.
• Serve as the volunteer manager of the Student Affairs Council and its committees, which are comprised of alumni and other stakeholders who serve as advocates and ambassadors for Student Affairs.
• Facilitate connections with University of Illinois Alumni Association affiliated alumni groups and clubs, connecting them with opportunities to engage with and support students as appropriate.
  
  

Stewardship

• Develop and implement stewardship processes, services, and activities to be utilized centrally in Student Affairs Advancement and within Student Affairs units.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive suite of stewardship services and activities for a select group of Student Affairs donors.
• Create a system to report philanthropic impact annually to Student Affairs donors.
• Oversee funds to ensure donor intent and unit needs are respected including in-person meetings and conversations with major gift officers and donors for amendments to funds as necessary.
• Serve as the key contact within Student Affairs regarding proper spending of gift funds.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree

Experience:

• For the title of Assistant Director, a minimum of two years of professional experience in higher education advancement or more than three years of experience in a closely related field, such as, marketing, public relations, communications, or business administration, that requires strong relationship-building and outcome driven components.
• For the title of Associate Director, a minimum of three years of professional experience in higher education advancement or more than six of experience in a closely related field, such as, marketing, public relations, communications, or business administration, that requires strong relationship-building and outcome driven components.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and the ability to manage tight deadlines and multiple projects.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience managing alumni and/or student programs and devising innovative programs to engage alumni and/or donors to support academic priorities.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating engagement activities such as in-person events, virtual events, and email newsletters.
• Experience developing projects and/or processes from initial idea through delivery of final product.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of higher education administration, and specifically, engagement, stewardship, and donor relations practices.
• Superb oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with an emphasis on engaged, active listening.
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Familiarity with large databases.
• Ability to understand and adhere to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Donor Bill of Rights which is endorsed by the Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Preferred: Knowledge of the principles of advancement, fundraising, and administration in a university environment.
• Preferred: Knowledge and/or experience working in the major components of advancement including development, communications and public relations, alumni engagement, and special events.