Otterbein University is seeking a Director of Alumni & Family Engagement who will assist the Executive Director of Engagement in developing and implementing creative and successful programs for Otterbein's 28,000+ alumni, current families, and other key constituencies in order to build strong institutional affinity in support of the overall Institutional Advancement program. The Director will lead efforts to increase volunteer participation in the life of the institution, increase attendance at University events, reunions, and programs, enhance the understanding of the University's mission and strategic priorities, and improve awareness and support of the University's culture of philanthropy.
The Director of Alumni & Family Engagement must have the ability to convey and promote the mission and vision of the institution, exhibit enthusiasm, demonstrate a strong work ethic, be innovative and creative, and be highly detail oriented and organized. The Director will work collaboratively to lead outreach functions within the Division of Institutional Advancement and with other campus offices to meet annual and long-term programmatic goals. This full-time, exempt, administrative staff position will report to the Executive Director of Engagement.
BENEFITS AT OTTERBEIN Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Accrue 4 weeks paid vacation and 10 days paid sick time per year
12 paid holidays plus bonus days (including Christmas Eve through New Year's Day)
Medical, dental and vision insurance to you, dependents or domestic partner
Defined contribution retirement plan
Tuition benefit for employees and their dependents
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
and much more
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
65% - Engagement Programming and Events:
Develop and implement programs and events for alumni and families that fulfill the mission of Otterbein University and increase engagement between these constituencies and the University, which includes but is not limited to:
Events. Plan, organize, and implement signature events including, but not limited to, Homecoming & Family Weekend activities and logistics while staffing a campus-wide planning committee as well as the annual Celebration of Otterbein Awards; Plan, organize, and implement special interest and affinity events and activities for alumni and families throughout the year in central Ohio, within the State, and outside of Ohio. Direct in-person and virtual programs and events for all alumni and families that increases attendance, interest, and engagement with Otterbein. Some travel to Otterbein events required.
Reunion Programs. For the 50th Reunion class (and potentially other milestone classes), annually identify prospective reunion committee members and recruit their participation in conjunction with the Development team. Partner with class leadership to develop meeting agendas, coordinate reunion logistics, and implement reunion marketing plan. Will work with multiple reunion committees simultaneously, as classes reach and approach significant milestones.
Volunteer Management. Work to engage alumni and families in the life of the University through volunteerism by crafting and implementing a volunteer engagement strategic plan which includes opportunities specific to the Office of Engagement and Institutional Advancement as well as those available with campus partners, including Student Success and Career Development, Office of Social Justice and Activism, Athletics, Student Affairs, and other academic and program offices as needed. Work collaboratively with the Executive Director of Engagement to assist with the Otterbein Alumni Council and the Coordinator of Alumni & Family Engagement to assist with the Young Alumni Board.
15% - Alumni and Family Marketing & Communications:
Market alumni and family programs and events through eMarketing, printed materials, website content and other communications avenues. Assist in content for Towers alumni magazine, as needed.
Set up alumni and family event registration pages using relevant software.
Maintain alumni webpages using the content management system.
Contribute to key communication and engagement programs and projects, as requested by the Executive Director of Engagement.
Oversees the IA Communications calendar in collaboration with the Coordinator of Alumni & Family Engagement.
Collaborates with Office of Annual Giving to determine strategic communication and social media related to the marketing and solicitation of alumni and families. Integrates giving opportunities into relevant communications and events.
15% - Supervisory Role
Supervises Coordinator of Alumni & Family Engagement.
Sets annual goals, coaches and evaluates employee performance through Otterbein's Performance Management process.
May also hire, train, and supervise work-study and/or department-paid students, and office volunteers.
5% - Miscellaneous Duties
Assist the Executive Director of Engagement with the weekly operations of the Lifelong Learning Community classes, as needed.
Monitor related budgets in conjunction with the Executive Director of Engagement to ensure sound fiscal practices and a balanced budget.
Maintain adequate contact reports, metrics, and data of alumni and family contact within the IA database.
Represent the Executive Director of Engagement in meetings and at events, as needed.
Represent the Office of Engagement, Institutional Advancement, and Otterbein as a member of the Independent College Advancement Associates (ICAA) or other applicable professional organizations.
Assist with other duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinator of Alumni & Family Engagement, work-study or department-paid students, and volunteers.
QUALIFICATIONS
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
A bachelor's degree is required for the position; master's degree preferred.
The ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge of and experience working in higher education organizations, especially small, independent liberal arts colleges.
A minimum of three to five years professional experience in a related field is required.
Previous success in program and special event planning and implementation in a college, corporate, or non-profit setting and prior success in supervising staff and volunteers alike must be effectively demonstrated.
The candidate must possess strong organizational, oral/written communication, creative writing and leadership skills, and must be willing to take initiative.
The candidate must have experience in working with social media platforms to engage audiences, e-marketing platforms, and database reporting/extracting.
The candidate must work as a team member and work effectively with volunteers.
The candidate must have the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and oversee multiple programs/projects simultaneously.
The successful candidate must also be willing to travel occasionally and maintain occasional evening and weekend hours.
CORE COMPETENCIES: In additional to the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, the candidate will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the following Otterbein Core Competencies:
Service Excellence
Accountability and Professionalism
Integrity and Trust
Collaboration and Teamwork
Diversity and Inclusion
Job Knowledge
Work Product
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to understand and work with all nationalities over the phone and in person. Solid writing, proofing and editing skills. AP style experience recommended.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Must be able to formulate and work with budgets. Reliable math skills and ability to use Excel and basic calculator.
TECHNICAL SKILLS: The candidate must have excellent computer skills and should have experience using constituent database software. Candidates should have experience in digital communications, including developing marketing strategies in order to promote alumni and family programs/events and to maintain the content of the Otterbein alumni website and social media. Specific computer skill experience in Microsoft Office Suite, Constant Contact or other eMarketing software, Canva or other design software, Adobe Creative Suite, and WordPress is desirable.
REASONING ABILITY: Must be able to reason with a number of personalities and backgrounds. Must be able to work independently and must retain confidential information.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Sitting for periods of time in front of a computer; regular interaction with alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and broader community; standing or sitting for periods of time at various functions. Must be able to meet regular and predictable attendance standards.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties performed primarily in an environmentally controlled office.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The Mission of Institutional Advancement:
Engaging partners to build resources that advance the Otterbein mission.
Office of Engagement Guiding Vision:
The Alumni, Family, and Donor Engagement Team will create strategic and meaningful engagement and philanthropic opportunities for our alumni, families, and donors using the four pillars of communication, collaboration, connection, and culture.
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind of level of difficulty.
Otterbein University is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.
Otterbein University is committed to providing a welcoming environment free from unlawful discrimination. To this end, the University prohibits any form of discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, pregnancy, religion, creed, marital status, partnership status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, military status, or any other legally protected status in its programs and activities. However, the University's commitment to a nondiscriminatory environment is not intended to abridge unduly its commitment to academic freedom, free speech, or its educational mission. Inquiries or complaints regarding any form of discrimination or harassment may be directed to: Human Resources, Otterbein University.
The Mission of Institutional Advancement:
Engaging partners to build resources that advance the Otterbein mission.
Office of Engagement Guiding Vision:
The Alumni, Family, and Donor Engagement Team will create strategic and meaningful engagement and philanthropic opportunities for our alumni, families, and donors using the four pillars of communication, collaboration, connection, and culture.
UNIVERSITY SUMMARY: Historically progressive and building. That is the hallmark of Otterbein University and those connected to this private university nestled in the picturesque, historic Uptown Westerville district in central Ohio and minutes away from Columbus, Ohio’s largest city. Otterbein has set the pace by providing an educational experience that is progressive, innovative, and inclusive. Students come from towns throughout Ohio, as well as many states and multiple countries, enriching the campus through their individual and collective diversity. As a university that educates students of various racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, we strive for and value a diverse faculty and staff that reflects our student population and Franklin County. Otterbein has been selected as one of 23 universities across the US and the first in Ohio to host a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center. Otterbein will work with its own campus community as well as the Columbus City and Westerville City school districts to create positive narrative change about race; promote racial healing activities; and erase structural barriers to equity and opportunity.