Director, Alumni & University Relations

Department(s): Alumni Relations, Advancement

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Alumni & University Relations

Job Status: Full-time position / Exempt

Position Summary

The Director of Alumni & University Relations will provide management for the Office of Alumni Relations in Advancement, including planning, organizing and evaluating the overall alumni relations program as well as the implementation and supervision of alumni programming. This position will engage alumni through event and giving opportunities that support the University’s vision and mission. This position has significant responsibility fundraising for the Annual Fund as well as designated projects for the University’s capital campaign. As an Advancement officer, this position will engage a portfolio of donors for the purposes of fundraising. Additionally, the candidate must be able to serve as an effective spokesperson for the Ten Pillars 2030 as well as the Christian identity, vision and mission of the University.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

General Duties:

• Takes the lead on assigned projects, organization of special events logistics, and annual University activities. Including but not limited to:
  • Homecoming, Silver Circle, Golden Circle, and Husky Social Hours
  • Works alongside Advancement staff on Husky Hustle
• Oversee and maintain alumni engagement: building relationships, creating / sustaining traditions, communications (mailings – post / electronic, website and social media networks)
  • Assists in the development of the Class Agent program, adding contacts from across the decades to serve as an additional communicator and engager.
• Directs Annual Fund initiatives to reach fiscal year goal.
  • Fall: Huskies Give Big, HCU’s annual days of giving
  • Spring: LOVE HCU Auction (online)
  • Encourages regular giving by alumni and special initiatives such as Giving Tuesday.
• Manage a portfolio of donors, completing timely reports on all contacts regarding University and capital campaign fundraising projects.
• Integrate Advancement and Alumni Relations initiatives, knowing that alumni will be part of achieving all initiatives whether through fundraising or special affiliate groups and their events
• Tracks spending in the operational budget for Alumni and submits credit card statements and other financial documents in a timely manner
• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with campus departments, colleges, schools, and committees
  • Work directly with a college / school as part of the Dean’s development council
• Recruit, retain, and cultivate members of the Alumni Association Advisory Board (AAAB), ensuring a strong, productive working relationship between the AAAB and University initiatives.
  • Attends quarterly meetings
  • Oversees a split of committees with the Assistant Director of Alumni & University Relations and the Associate Vice President of Alumni & University Relations, who serves as the Executive Director of the AAAB
  • Steward past members as mentors and encourage continued participation
  • Raise funds for Alumni Endowed scholarships through Advisory Board activities
• Building and updating alumni records for the database
• Attends appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship events
• Build relationships with students through graduation, striving to engage our nearly 1,000 yearly graduates to keep them engaged as alumni.
  • Serves at graduation, scheduling the alumni speakers and welcoming families of our new alumni in conjunction with the needs of University Events & Conferences
• Co-lead the Student Foundation with the Assistant Director of Advancement Services & the Director of University Events & Conferences, coordinating recruiting, interviewing new members, training, and activity scheduling.
  • Schedules alumni to speak at Student Foundation monthly meetings
• Simultaneously manages and coordinates multiple projects
• Identifies, assesses, and improves on processes
• Presents a professional image and ensure excellence in customer service
• This position requires a high level of confidentiality and candidate should demonstrate sound judgment
• Performs other duties as assigned

Reporting: Oversees the compilation of all University reporting – budgeting and compliance.

• Budget reports –
  • Analyzes past spending from accounts and completes necessary documents for University budgeting. Also coordinates and completes the documentation for any capital requests.
  • Works directly with the AAAB Finance committee to oversee their account: revenue and spending
• Accreditation reports – Gathers data and completes the online forms as needed for the report required for compliance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assistant Director, Alumni & University Relations

• Oversees this staff position, delegating tasks and ensuring completion
  • This position is also pivotal to the success of Advancement and University Relations, assisting as needed with events and communication needs
• Student Workers are supervised by the Asst. Director with oversight by the Director due to budget allocations for student work, hiring, and training
• Assistant Director takes lead on the following under the supervision of the Alumni Director:
  • Graduation Events: Grad Fair, Grad Fest, Ring Ceremony
  • Husky Pups Club
  • Heritage Walkway (brick path in Holcombe Mall)
  • Editor of Husky Happenings, weekly Alumni e-newsletter
  • Alumni Social Media platforms

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve on campus committees as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher level of education
• Prior event and fundraising experience preferred
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead by example in a Christian environment
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills
• Personable presence and ability to work with various levels of internal and external constituents
• Full working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to learn and use Banner / CRM Advance, website management tools, Encompass / Anthology, Ad Astra, Canva, and Buffer
• Initiates and has the ability to work independently
• Organized, energetic, flexible, detail-oriented, and a creative, strategic thinker

Physical Demands

• Tasks involve the ability to exert some physical effort. This may involve some lifting, carrying, moving, pushing and/or pulling of objects/materials of light weight (15-20 pounds). Oversight at events may require extended time walking or standing for up to several hours.
• Works occasional irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Additional Information:

Houston Christian University is an independent, private Christian liberal arts institution with a diverse student body. It has access to all the cultural advantages of one of the largest metropolitan centers in the country. For more information about the University, visit hc.edu.

The University is in the process of implementing its Ten Pillars vision (hc.edu/vision) and anticipates significant growth in student enrollment and university programs. The successful candidate will also be able to articulate a vision for the role of his or her discipline at HCU that is supportive of the Ten Pillars vision statement.

Houston Christian University is committed to maintaining a teaching faculty and staff who share an active Christian faith. The Preamble to the By-Laws of the University sets forth a statement of belief which each University employee is expected to support and personify. Your submittal of an application for employment indicates your acceptance and affirmation of these statements.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of personnel.

**Disclaimer**

Background checks are performed on every new hire. If your application is selected to continue with the interviewing process you will be required to submit a Background Check form. If you decline, your application may be denied. By proceeding with the online application you understand and accept this process.