Job Information
St. John Fisher College Associate Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement in Rochester, New York
Overview:
St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. The University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.
The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.
Job Responsibilities:
Position Summary:
St. John Fisher University is seeking a dynamic and innovative Associate Director of Alumni Relations to strengthen connections with its 32,000+ alumni through engaging and impactful programming. This pivotal role executes programs valued by alumni, fosters lasting, mutually beneficial relationships, inspires loyalty and financial support, enhances the University’s reputation, and engages alumni in activities that advance its mission. Guided by the CASE Alumni Engagement model, the Associate Director will focus on delivering experiential opportunities, volunteer activities, communication initiatives, and philanthropic efforts.
The ideal candidate is an experienced and proactive self-starter with strong strategic thinking, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to implement and manage multiple projects effectively. Success in this role demands meticulous attention to detail while maintaining a focus on overarching goals and upholding the highest standards.
Job Responsibilities:
Alumni Engagement:
Collaborate with the Senior Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement to execute a strategy that strengthens alumni connections to the University and identifies new opportunities for alumni to connect through shared interests, identity, and location, aligning efforts with institutional goals.
Utilize CASE’s engagement metric model data to identify and target alumni segments, supporting those ready to advance in their engagement journey.
Build off-campus geographic networks for enhanced connectivity.
Alumni Communications:
Collaborate with the marketing team to increase and sharpen alumni communication to ensure alumni stay informed about news, events and opportunities via several channels.
Develop and maintain active social media platforms aligned with a pre-established communication calendar.
Recognize donors and alumni accomplishments, sharing their stories and advice with both current students and the broader alumni community.
Provide content that resonates with alumni interests and affinities, going beyond just donation requests.
Program Planning and Execution:
Design, plan, and execute a diverse array of alumni events, including Alumni Weekend, reunions, regional gatherings, networking events, and special celebrations.
Coordinate all logistical aspects of events, such as catering, entertainment, and staffing.
Develop and implement marketing and communication plans to maximize event participation and engagement.
Create standard operating procedures and ensure adherence to maintain consistency.
Manage event budgets, track expenses, and ensure the efficient use of resources.
Alumni Engagement Metrics:
Monitor and manage the accuracy and upkeep of the university’s Alumni Engagement Metrics data.
Actively seek opportunities to optimize data usage, refine alumni segmentation and scoring, and enhance the effectiveness of engagement strategies to build stronger connections and strengthen Fisher’s overall engagement score.
Working with Advancement Services ensure the alumni database is accurate and complete.
Education / Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field
Minimum of 5 years of experience in alumni relations, event planning, or a related field.
Demonstrated success in planning and executing large-scale events and engagement programs.
Competencies / Skills:
Strong event planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple events and initiatives within timelines and budgets.
Working understanding of the CASE alumni engagement metric and model.
Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with colleagues across various departments and organizational levels.
Proficiency in using CRM systems, databases, and relevant software to manage and analyze alumni data and engagement metrics.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop strategic plans and adapt to changing circumstances.
Ability to remain calm under pressure and manage high work volumes, often seasonally.
Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills, with a focus on driving tasks, timelines, and workflows to completion.
Supervision of Employees:
Alumni Engagement Coordinator
Work Hours:
35-hour work week with night and weekend events as needed.
EEO Statement:
It is the policy of St. John Fisher University to provide Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in each locality in which the University has employees.
The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Title IX Coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. The Title IX Coordinator, Meg Flaherty, Ph.D., can be reached by phone (585-385-8232), email (titleix@sjfc.edu), in-person in Campus Center 206, or outside of business hours by contacting the Office of Safety and Security (585-385-8111).