Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Identity and Affinity Programs

The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Identity and Affinity Programs, reports to the Director of Alumni/Parent Equity and Inclusion Programs to expand College Advancement efforts to engage BIPOC, LGBTQI+ and first-generation alumni in the life of the college through identity and affinity programs, events, and volunteer opportunities. This hands-on position provides direct support for an increasingly diverse Bates College community utilizing excellent customer service skills. The Assistant Director also works with alumni class volunteers in their outreach to classmates regarding Reunion, class notes, and other class programs. Tasks include: recruiting and supporting volunteers, planning events and programs, preparing email marketing campaigns, and special projects as assigned.

Candidates with demonstrated success in working with marginalized and underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.  The successful candidate will be experienced in equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racist practices in this area as well as possessing excellent customer service and problem-solving skills. 

Key accountabilities include:

• Under the direction of the Director, implement plans to recruit and support BIPOC, LGBTQI+, international, and first-gen alumni volunteers, provide guidance to those and other alumni leaders, and serve as a resource in volunteer efforts to strengthen their communities and connect with current students.
• Assure equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism as central to their work and the delivery of services to faculty, staff, and students.
• Collaborate with the staff in the Office of Intercultural Education on the organization of student/alumni programs, and serve as a resource to student leaders of multicultural organizations in their efforts to connect with alumni.
• Plan and coordinate networking/mentoring opportunities specifically for alumni and students involved in identity/affinity programs, including the Bates Bridge identity groups. Provide support and direction for programs led by alumni volunteers.
• Recruit and support alumni class volunteers in their communication with peers about class activities and class news/notes. Serves as staff liaison to a cohort of alumni class volunteers, assisting in the planning, preparation, and communication of programs and events, including Reunion.
• Collaborate with Annual Giving colleagues to re-engage young BIPOC alumni and increase annual giving participation among this cohort, and work with them to develop plans for the next stage of the Schuler Initiative.
• Collaborate with Alumni Engagement colleagues to ensure the success of key Alumni Engagement initiatives and programs, including signature programs of Back to Bates and Reunion Weekends
• Related duties and support for other projects, as required.

Other

• Committed to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in this work, and have experience managing volunteers and developing engagement programs.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of Bates history, academic, extracurricular and athletic programs, and its faculty, students, and administration.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the college’s priorities and initiatives of the faculty and administration.
• Participate in departmental and professional training programs to increase expertise in the profession when appropriate.
• Assist with other duties as needed to support Alumni Engagement.
• Adheres to departmental standards, policies, and procedures with respect to all aspects of their work.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Alumni/Parent Equity and Inclusion, and the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement. 

 

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and at least 3 - 5 years of work experience in college advancement, development office, or transferrable skills.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Understanding of data and how to analyze for application and results preferred.
• Demonstrated intercultural competence, commitment, and experience working with diverse populations.

• Created and/or engaged in equity and inclusion programs and events.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal, listening and presentation) skills.
• Impeccable discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent customer service and volunteer management skills with the ability to remain composed, friendly, and demonstrate poise under stress while working in a deadline driven environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; high level of accuracy; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision. Demonstrates initiative.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once in a deadline driven, goal oriented, fast-paced environment.
• Impeccable organizational skills and ability to coordinate resources and staff within the college community.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.  Must be flexible, collaborative and have a positive attitude.
• Keen attention to detail necessary for successful documentation, planning, and execution.
• Proficiency in data management systems, mail merges, and basic computer applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
• Creative, flexible and a sense of humor.
• Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train, or bus) domestically as needed.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, and other non-traditional schedules.
• Personal commitment to excellence and the mission of a top-tier small liberal arts college.
• Demonstrated commitment to practices in equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism and to serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse and inclusive community with diplomacy and tact.

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Benefits

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 12 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more) and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug- and smoke-free workplace. 

About

Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college, attracting 2,000 students from across the U.S. and around the world.

Since 1855, Bates has been dedicated to educating the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. Committed to opportunity and excellence, Bates has always admitted students without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin.

Cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action, Bates prepares leaders sustained by a love of learning and zeal for responsible stewardship of the wider world. Bates engages the forces — intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology — that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.

Bates has highly competitive admissions, graduates over 90 percent of its entering students, and more than half of its alumni earn graduate degrees. Bates employs 200 faculty members and 550 staff.

The college is proud of deep roots in the Lewiston/Auburn community, Maine’s second-largest urban area with a population of approximately 65,000. Bates is located on a beautiful, 133-acre, traditional New England campus in Lewiston, an emerging city with an entrepreneurial climate, a lively arts scene, and a dynamic business community. Bates is 35 miles north of Portland, 140 miles north of Boston, and 350 miles north of New York City.

 

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. This position requires the successful completion of a pre-employment background screening. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. (References will not be contacted without your permission.)

Application Process This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge. Apply Now Powered by Opens in new window Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bates College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment of its faculty and staff.  Bates College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations.  All college faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors, and volunteers are responsible for understanding and complying with the Non-Discrimination Policy.

Inquiries concerning the college’s policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/Section 504), and complaints may be directed to Gwen Lexow, Title IX Officer, 207-786-6445 or via email at glexow@bates.edu.