Assistant Director, Alumni Relations Development

Columbia University • New York, NY, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 1m ago

Job Type: Officer of Administration
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $73,000 - $93,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Alumni Relations and Development for the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Development plays an integral role on a dynamic Alumni Relations and Development team. This new and unique role is key to increasing engagement with alumni and creating relationships with students to contribute to the creation of a culture of philanthropy within GSAS. Focusing largely on students and recent graduates, the Assistant Director will enhance and manage existing student and recent graduate events, initiatives, and programs as they relate to GSAS Alumni Relations and Development efforts. The Assistant Director will also serve as a key member of the Alumni Relations and Development team coordinating activities across work streams and providing both administrative support for GSAS Development and Alumni Relations and event-related support for GSAS strategic events, including administrative and logistical assistance in the planning of special events and programs for alumni, students, faculty, and staff.

Responsibilities

Alumni Relations and Development support (70%)

Contribute to the efforts of the GSAS Alumni Association Board (the Board) and committees in all capacities
- Act as Alumni Relations and Development staff liaison to and administer all aspects of a robust and active Recent Alumni and Students Committee.
- Assist the Director of Alumni Relations and Development in the planning of Board and committee meetings, calls, and events; keep minutes of all Board meetings; and produce minutes of all committee calls and meetings.
- Serve as the principal liaison for the Director of Alumni Relations and Development in all aspects of her interactions with alumni volunteers.
Manage the GSAS Recent Alumni and Students Fund (RAS Fund) and GSAS Society of Student Leaders (SSL).
- Increase student involvement in and awareness of the philanthropic and engagement priorities of the Board and identify and cultivate student leaders via the RAS Fund and the SSL.
- Establish RAS Fund and SSL goals and outcomes in partnership with the Director of Alumni Relations and Development and key GSAS partners.
- Serve as an advisor to and administer all aspects of the RAS Fund and the SSL, including executive board and general body recruitment, member training and supervision, and event execution.
- Manage the involvement of RAS Fund and SSL student representatives on the Board and Board committees.
- Work with GSAS and alumni relations and development staff across campus to help manage the involvement of RAS Fund and SSL student representatives in alumni dinners, events, and galas.
Act as the Alumni Relations and Development staff liaison to the Arts and Sciences Graduate Council, as needed, and work with the GSAS Student Affairs Officer to connect alumni with the ASGC and ASCG-recognized student groups.
Assist the Director of Alumni Relations and Development and GSAS Compass staff in driving student and alumni engagement through career panels and information sessions and the GSAS Career Contacts program, including via communications, digital resources, and events. Identify, recruit, and manage alumni participation in student-alumni programs, and develop connections between recent graduates and current students.
Establish and maintain partnerships with GSAS Master’s program staff by conducting outreach, establishing two-way communication channels, and facilitating engagement.
Collaborate with GSAS Communications staff on the production of quarterly alumni newsletters and annual departmental mailings and the execution of the GSAS social media strategy. Identify students for student spotlights. Ensure alumni communications are recorded on the OAD Lionmail "Email Outreach Calendar".
Manage database entry and maintain volunteer lists and event data entry to ensure database accuracy.
Pull data for all Alumni Relations and Development programs, as needed.
Requires cross-training to support development goals, as needed, to include Athena database.

GSAS event support (25%)

Support the Director of Alumni Relations and Development in the planning and production of all strategic events, including Convocation, all alumni relations events and programs (Awards Dinner, Fellowship Dinner, Dean’s signature events, GSAS Conversations, recent alumni events, Giving Day events, reunion), and rising alumni events and programs (Society of Student Leaders Dinner, student/alumni networking, study breaks), and the registration aspects of all associated events. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Partnering with GSAS Communications staff on all communications and marketing needs for relevant programs and projects, to include event-related biographies, award citations, programs, invitations, nametags, emails, and registration websites;
- Collaborating with the Director of Alumni Relations and Development on all event set-ups and breakdowns, the coordination of the delivery of all event supplies and materials in advance of events to ensure they are in place prior to event beginning and their return to storage upon event completion, and management of storage and organization during non-peak event times;
Stay up-to-date on related policies and procedures (team-, GSAS-, and University-related), and assist with ensuring that guidelines are followed.
As requested, research vendors (caterers, florists, printers, promotional items, etc.) and appropriate venues and space.
Assist with vendor and site inquiry for special events.
Requires training on the Columbia University Event Management System.

Other tasks as assigned (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.
2 years of related experience are required.
Must demonstrate an excellent customer service orientation and a strong understanding of event coordination, logistics, and operational support.
Must demonstrate excellent use of personal judgment and expertise to enhance the customer experience and solve problems.
Must effectively communicate with vendors and event professionals.
Strong proficiency in software (Windows, Google Suite, PowerPoint, Word) literacy and facility with social media platforms, and Advanced Excel work (organizing, manipulating, and verifying data and VLOOKUP) required.
Hands-on event management experience that includes supporting the full cycle of events from pre-event planning to post-event follow-up.
Position requires the ability to lift and carry items in excess of 20 lbs., in addition to walking and standing for long periods.
Attention to detail; outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; and a customer service attitude are essential.
The position requires the ability to manage multiple diverse tasks simultaneously and accurately in a highly detail-oriented environment; to use good judgment in prioritizing work; to work proactively, both independently and as a team; to work independently with minimal supervision; and to exercise extreme attention to detail and excellent judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all interactions.
The incumbent must maintain a very high level of confidentiality and handle information with integrity and discretion.
Frequent evening and occasional weekend hours are required, with possible travel.