Alumni Relations & Annual Fund Manager

The University of Saint Mary is a Roman Catholic, liberal arts university located in Leavenworth, Kansas, just 25 minutes away from Kansas City. For over 90 years, the University of Saint Mary has helped students find their way to meaningful lives and careers through an education that blends the liberal arts and a focus on critical thinking with the development of key professional skills. USM serves about 1,400 students at its main campus in Leavenworth, its satellite location in Overland Park, as well as online.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Alumni Relations and Annual Fund Manager will develop, manage, and track the alumni cultivation, engagement, communication, and operational activities of the University. They will research, develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a broad range of alumni engagement and annual giving programming including events, outreach, volunteer management and programs for alumni. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to planning, promoting, and implementing reunion events and managing the Alumni Board, Twill also manage general Annual Fund campaigns through direct mail, digital platforms, and other fundraising methods.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Acts as a liaison between the alumni and the University.
• Develops and manages a strategic, effective, and sustainable Alumni Relations program based on four key alumni engagement methods: Volunteer, Experiential, Philanthropic, Communication
• Develops and manages an Alumni volunteer program.
• Plans, organizes, and promotes alumni engagement events, including Alumni Reunion Weekend, home football games including homecoming, Veterans Day celebration and assists with SpireFest and USM golf classic.
• Manages quarterly meetings with Alumni Board
• Organizes and hosts alumni gatherings on campus and across the nation.
• Provides support to volunteer-led alumni groups.
• Develops and maintains a strategic communication plan to regularly connect with alumni.
• Serves as the point person for Class Notes, birthday/celebration/condolence cards, the Aspire alumni magazine, the eAspire online newsletter, and targeted alumni communications.
• Manages a portfolio of alumni prospects capable of significantly advancing the mission of the university.
• Tracks alumni engagement metrics and records alumni activities in the database system.
• Maintains and manages alumni records in the database system.
• Prepares and circulates timely reports on areas of responsibility as appropriate.
• Produces needed mailings and alumni prospect lists.
• Update Alumni Relations activities and deadlines on the Advancement Master calendar.
• Excellent writing skills. Experience in writing direct mail appeals, e-appeals, writing and editing articles, and developing donation forms and other ways to utilize communications.
• Hands-on experience and demonstrated success in planning, developing, and delivering successful digital fundraising campaigns and project management.
• Develop annual budget for annual giving and Alumni Relations
• Coordinates all special events for annual giving
• Prepare reports and data analytics on annual giving activity
• Assists with Day of giving and Athletic day of giving online event.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor degree required.
• A minimum of two years of related professional experience; preferably in a university setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of constituents to achieve Advancement goals.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective project management skills.
• Knowledge of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In.
• Commitment to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective organizational skills and proven ability to successfully manage and prioritize multiple projects and/or tasks to achieve goals and meet timelines.
• Proficient computer skills experience in MS Word Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, including mail merge capabilities.
• Experience with Raiser Edge is preferred.
• Commitment to the Saint Mary mission and its Core Values of Justice, Community, Respect, and Excellence.
• Willingness to travel and work some weekends and evenings.

TO APPLY:
Submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for at least three current professional references.

Saint Mary is an Equal Opportunity Employer.