Engagement and Alumni Relations, Senior Associate

Position Overview

The Engagement Officer will broaden and deepen alumni and constituent engagement with Ohio State by developing more purposeful, meaningful, impactful, and mutually beneficial relationships, serving as the official liaison between the university and the Midwestern and Western US regions and metro areas.  They are a subject matter expert for engagement strategies and develops, implements, and evaluates new or existing activities, program, services, and communications within the region. The Engagement Officer is also the direct connection and lead engagement strategist for those Alumni Clubs located within the Midwestern and Western US region and target metro areas and potentially some Alumni Societies.  They will identify and train volunteers and ambassadors to support the Alumni Association and Office of Advancement’s strategic plans and initiatives.  They will have oversight of assisting Alumni Club volunteers with speaker requests and related travel arrangements, financial and scholarship-related processes, forms and filing requirements, and the creation, revision, and maintenance of constitutions. This position is responsible for collaborating and building relationships with other Alumni Association and Advancement colleagues such as Regional Alumni Communication Managers , Directors of Regional Advancement, Leadership Annual Giving Officers, college/unit fundraisers & alumni relations officers, prospect research and the Office of Advancement Events to include the identification of potential donation and/or engagement opportunities with alumni and constituents, and determining and coordinating appropriate engagement-focused events. The Engagement Officer reports to the Regional Engagement Officer Lead and operates with a high degree of independence, decision making capabilities, judgment, consistency, discretion, and fiscal responsibility to include managing expenditures against an established budget.  They are expected to exhibit the behaviors associated with the Office of Advancement’s core competencies:  Leadership, Continuous Improvement, Collaboration and Teamwork, and Communication/Interpersonal Effectiveness and must be adaptable to shifting priorities and demands to include work week travel (up to 50%) and occasional evening and weekend work. Annually, the Engagement Officer will be able to illustrate metrics such as but not limited to: Number of first-time attendees; Increase in volunteers and volunteer opportunities; an increase in identified leadership annual giving and major gift prospects.

All members of Advancement are part of creating an inclusive culture that inspires and exceptionally diverse and talented team and are measured on their adherence to the following core competencies: Leadership, Continuous Improvement, teamwork and Collaboration, and Communication/Interpersonal Effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:

65% Engagement develops and coordinates engagement and cultivation strategies, opportunities and trends that focus on the university’s alumni, donors, constituents and friends; is the direct connection for the Alumni Clubs; will identify and train volunteers and ambassadors to support the Alumni Association and Office of Advancement’s strategic plans and initiatives; has oversight of assisting Alumni Club volunteers with speaker requests and related travel arrangements, financial and scholarship-related processes, forms and filing requirements, and the creation, revision and maintenance of constitutions; and ensures relative data is captured in TAS.

30% Collaboration builds strong relationships with other Alumni Association and Advancement colleagues such as Regional Alumni Communication Managers, Directors of Regional Advancement, Leadership Annual Giving Officers, college/unit fundraisers, prospect research and the Office of Advancement Events and Programs to include the identification of potential donation and/or engagement opportunities with alumni and constituents, and determining and coordinating appropriate engagement-focused events.

5% Miscellaneous contributes to Advancement by fostering and exhibiting teamwork, participates on internal committees/workgroups as appropriate, performs other duties as assigned.

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Two (2) years of relevant experience.

Desired Qualifications (We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly)

• Knowledge of and experience in program planning and event management.
• Two (2) years of customer relations, volunteer management and/or institutional advancement experience.
• Direct alumni relations and/or fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated skill in working with diverse communities and cultural groups.

The Office of Advancement is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and advancement practices.

Commitment to Inclusion

The Office of Advancement is committed to active allyship in addressing and dismantling the inequities created by systemic racism and implicit, long-held bias. We pledge to act with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times; trust ourselves and our colleagues and empower their whole identities; and hear and see our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

You Need to Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the diverse, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life-changing teaching and research. Learn more here:  https://hr.osu.edu/careers/.

To learn more and apply, please visit: https://osujoblinks.com/pqq8

Salary Range: $49,800 – $66,400