POSITION TITLE: Alumni Engagement Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Development
SUPERVISOR: Director of Strategic Partnerships
SALARY RANGE: $66,000 – $87,000 DOE

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision of the Director of Strategic Partnerships, the Alumni Engagement Manager will participate in alumni engagement efforts to ensure that Native Forward Scholars Fund builds on our existing alumni network and strengthens it to fulfill the organizational mission. The Alumni Engagement Manager will be responsible for developing strategies to both recapture current alumni audiences and build relationships with new and up-and-coming Native Forward Scholars Fund alumni constituents.

• Manage and oversee development team members, as designated by the Director of Strategic Partnerships, by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching and counseling; coordinating and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures.
• Develop and implement strategies to build and maintain Native Forward Scholars Fund9’s Alumni Engagement Program.
• Identifies and implements new opportunities for Alumni engagement to increase efficiency.
• Identifies and engages alumni as participants in the alumni program.
• Collaborates with program staff to engage alumni through multiple channels.
• Identifies, cultivates, and stewards alumni volunteers. Coordinates and trains volunteers who work on events, projects, and programs.
• Oversees the Alumni Advisory Council and identifies and recruits potential council members.
• Coordinates with the internal research team to conduct the annual alumni survey.
• Works with the Marketing team to create mass communications to alumni.
• Oversees the planning of the annual student and alumni convening.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni donors and prospects through visits and other forms of direct personal contact in accordance with performance targets set by the Director of Strategic Partnerships.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s annual fundraising campaigns, including other general giving and special fundraising activities.
• Supports initiatives within annual giving and alumni relation areas, from initial planning and coordination stages to implementation and follow-through. Participates in the success of these activities.
• Assists in planning and implementation of events, as assigned, including invitation production, mailings, RSVP lists, event coordination, and personal support of the event(s).
• Writes, proofs, and edits correspondence and materials for development. Drafts solicitation proposals, reports, letters, and other correspondence.
• Assists in maintaining alumni databases and files, including updating alumni contact information and oversees the import of alumni contact into alumni database from student database.
• Develop outreach strategies to attract and contact potential institutional partners in need of qualified Native interns and graduates to meet their hiring needs.
• Assists with special events, sponsors, and exhibitor relations. Solicits and organizes silent auction donations and activities.
• Track key relationship activity and progress. Create reports as required by management that accurately reflect progress toward strengthening relationships and increasing alumni support.
• Maintains strict student confidentiality and compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act.
• Embodies Native Forward Scholars Fund Core Values and promotes the Native Forward Scholars Fund organization, staff, and programs in a positive and professional manner.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplished related results.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in a related field preferred. Bachelor’s Degree required, plus five years of experience in fundraising, higher education, or other experience that demonstrates tenacity, creativity, follow-through, and strong relationship-building skills; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Valid Driver’s License is required. Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:

• Knowledge of American Indian History, culture, and tribes.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment
• A commitment to the mission and goals of the Native Forward Scholars Fund in providing scholarship funding and support services to Native students.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with coworkers at all levels.
• Ability to analyze progress and make necessary adjustments throughout the cultivation process.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything and continually seek improvement in results.
• Comfortable and confident, engaging at the highest levels, and adept at influencing opinion and securing commitments.
• Superior skills in building relationships and comfort in asking donors to commit their money, time, and/or energy to a shared vision.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or written piece. Experience in grant writing and business proposals.
• Ability to discuss the role of education in promoting social justice and economic opportunity.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully on the phone, via email/text, and in person with donors, board members, volunteers, colleagues, and the general public.
• Proficiency with office technology and information systems.
• High ethical standards, strict adherence to donor confidentiality, and genuine interest in developing authentic relationships.
• Persuasiveness and perseverance in attaining goals.
• Skills in operating business computers and office machines, including various software applications, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to walk.  The employee, occasionally, is required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level.  Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel will be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.

Please submit your letter of interest and resume to Careers@NativeForward.org.