Associate Director, Volunteer Engagement - JR26909-3800

at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Develops and leads strategies that amplify the impact of UChicago Alumni volunteer programs, with specific and measurable annual and multi-year goals aligned with the University's alumni engagement strategic priorities.
• Increases consistency and cohesion across UChicago Alumni volunteer programs. Maximizes volunteer engagement by developing an infrastructure for strategic engagement touchpoints that elevate experience, retention, satisfaction, and impact.
• Establishes organization-wide recommendations to strengthen volunteer organizations and leadership pipelines. Partners with team leads to assess, align, and implement volunteer recruitment, training, support, and stewardship practices.
• Collaborates with key stakeholders in planning and executing volunteer recognition events, experiences, and communications.
• Formalizes and facilitates training program for volunteer managers across the division to standardize best practices, resources, and leadership development opportunities.
• Assesses and reimagines signature UChicago Alumni volunteer leadership programs.
• In partnership with volunteer managers and alumni leaders, identifies and integrates practices that increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across volunteer programs and experiences. Develops strategies to meaningfully and sustainably diversify the leadership pipeline, voices amplified through UChicago Alumni channels, and communities engaged.
• May manage a portfolio of engaged or previously engaged alumni with a focus on stewardship and identifying opportunities to deepen engagement.
• Facilitates proactive data pulls, reports, and lists. Completes proactive analyses of events. Assesses trends and presents findings. Tracks survey data and analyzes results. Makes recommendations based on these analyses. Maintains records and files, and updates database regularly.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records, timelines, and process documents when coordinating events. Archives event details.
• Builds a culture of philanthropy across volunteer communities and organizations. Drives new initiatives and supports existing efforts to leverage volunteer roles and channels to drive giving. Solicits annual gifts as assigned.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Assists in leading and coordinating the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. May assist in or individually create a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Builds strong working relationships with staff in the College, professional schools, units, and in other departments across campus. May help develop performance standards for the alumni relations staff within a unit. Sets activity goals for the team and maintains the annual operating budget for constituent relations programs.
• Performs other related work as needed.

• Bachelor's degree.
• Advanced degree.

• Professional experience in any of the following: higher education, international strategy, DEI initiatives, alumni engagement, advancement, nonprofit management, or relevant roles.
• Prior experience managing volunteers, alumni or similar constituents.
• Working knowledge leading a project team or managing staff.
• Background developing and monitoring budgets.

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including Griffin (the University's Donor Relationship Management System).
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Skilled at organizing, partnering with, and championing diverse communities.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in-office presence.
• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)