Position Purpose:

The Senior Director will provide leadership and oversight for the Alumni Engagement (AE) team within the Office of College Advancement, crafting a strategic plan and vision for the team and executing data-driven tactics to engage alumni with the college and with one another. The Senior Director partners with colleagues across Advancement to support an integrated advancement model that prioritizes equity and inclusion and in which alumni engagement is meaningfully and intentionally embedded in development activities. The Senior Director reports to the Vice President for College Advancement and serves as a member of the VP’s management team, working collaboratively toward the division’s strategic goals.

The Senior Director will formulate and implement comprehensive and innovative programs that offer value to Bates alumni who are geographically diverse and have a wide array of personal and professional interests. The Senior Director will set annual goals for the AE team and will determine team policies and procedures that will lead to greater alumni participation; innovative programming; and stronger ties with our alumni.

The Senior Director will lead based upon significant experience in the area of alumni relations, including understanding the impact of alumni and donor relationships in advancing an academic institution; building credible, productive relationships with graduates and donors; establishing collaborative partnerships with colleagues; and bringing energy, vision, and diplomacy to this position.

Job Duties:

• Supervises the Alumni Engagement (AE) team and their effective management of regional/virtual events, regional club activity, and a growing set of programs serving affinity alumni groups. Ensures the team uses best-practice approaches to volunteer management, events, programs, and communications.
• Provides guidance and promotes excellence for the AE staff through well-defined and measurable goals for personnel. Fosters a culture of achievement through mastery of best practices and implementation of new ideas in which effective teamwork, collaboration, accountability, proactivity, strategic thinking, and innovation are expected, recognized, and rewarded.
• Manages the Alumni Council nomination process, council and sub-committee activities, and alumni awards, all with the goal of promoting the meaningful engagement of the full range of Bates alumni.
• Tracks program budgets, assesses financial needs to run programs effectively, and determines which programs offer the most strategic return on investment.
• Travels to regional events and for individual volunteer cultivation and recruitment meetings to raise the visibility of Bates, to reinforce existing relationships, and to connect with disaffected or disconnected alumni. Sets similar metrics for the Alumni Engagement team members.
• Collaborates with the Director of Alumni & Parent Equity and Inclusion Programs to ensure deeper engagement with MOSAIC alumni and with the Benjamin Mays Black Alumni Society.
• Working with Advancement Communications, devises marketing strategies and publicity campaigns for alumni activities and programs as well as for college messaging priorities.
• Serves as a key tactical collaborator for the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Reunion to ensure Reunion is a relevant, meaningful campus event for an evolving alumni population.
• Partners with the Director of Parent Giving to create a Back to Bates program for both Parent and Alumni audiences.
• Partners with Purposeful Work to engage alumni in job shadow and internship volunteer opportunities. Determines Bates Bridge strategy and tactics to provide job networking value to alumni and to students.
• Collaborates with the Assistant Vice President of College Advancement overseeing Advancement Services to develop and implement technologies to better support alumni and to enhance the record-keeping capabilities of the college; plays an active role in the designing of online and web-based communications for alumni and volunteers.
• Develops a good knowledge of Bates College history, the academic and extracurricular programs, and its faculty, students, and administration. Maintains a thorough understanding of the college’s current priorities and initiatives.
• Participates in departmental and professional training programs to increase expertise in the profession when appropriate. Possesses an understanding of and appreciation for the culture of a small, highly selective liberal arts college and can effectively articulate the college's mission.
• Ensures adherence to and support of college policies as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Valid driver's license required.

Experience

• 10+ years of work experience in advancement in a higher education setting or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in project management.
• 5+ years of volunteer management experience or supervision.
• Demonstrated capacity to craft and manage programs/events.
• Demonstrated record of successful collaboration with multiple constituencies, including volunteers, donors, and colleagues.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams, managing others, their work and providing feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate donor or client relationships.
• Demonstrated track record of progressive achievement in fundraising or related metrics driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience in management of budgets in excess of $200,000.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills.
• Personal commitment to excellence and the mission of a top-tier small liberal arts college.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships. Must be flexible, collaborative and have a positive attitude.
• Ability to remain composed, friendly and demonstrate poise under stress while working in a deadline driven environment.
• Keen attention to detail necessary for successful documentation, planning and execution.
• Impeccable organizational skills and ability to coordinate resources and staff within the college community.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Ability to write concise, logical, analytical reports to convey complex issues. Lead group discussions.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in basic data management systems and basic computer software (e.g., Microsoft Word and Excel, Power Point, Google docs, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, email and calendaring.)
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train, or bus) domestically and internationally as needed.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, and other non-traditional schedules.

Benefits: Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.