Assistant Director of Affinity Programs

Job Description:

The Assistant Director of Alumni Affinity Programs works to increase the engagement and networking potential of Washington and Lee alumni. Utilizes creative and focused programming to increase the engagement of alumni with W&L and with each other, emphasizing development of affinity programs for recent classes and diverse alumni constituencies. This work will be done through campus reunions, virtual programs, social media, collaborating with local alumni chapters, collaborating with diversity and inclusion focused University offices, discrete lifelong learning opportunities, career and professional development, campus-based affinity groups, and more.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for developing and organizing events, gatherings, and alumni affinity engagement opportunities on and off campus and virtually. An affinity group is any set of alumni who share a common prior student experience, interest, identity or purpose, career, etc. who can be brought together in person or digitally to engage with each other and with the University.
  
  
• Actively engages and listens to W&L alumni, faculty, staff, and students to develop creative methods for fostering alumni affinity groups. Collaborates with offices on campus such as the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Student Engagement and Career and Professional Development to develop joint programming and to bring together current students and alumni with shared interests and identity.
  
  
• Synthesizes interested volunteers, Advancement staff, and data, to identify and encourage diverse affinity groups with upside potential for attendance, satisfying experiences, and associations with each other and with W&L. These gatherings can be based on: a) prior student affinities in academics, clubs, teams, Greek life, or other extracurricular activities; b) culture and identity; c) lifelong learning interests based on careers, avocations, and cultural events.
  
  
• Uses Raiser’s Edge (database software for University Advancement) to create queries to identify affinity group prospects. Maintains event information and enters RSVP lists in the applicable systems. Maintains affinity events calendar, online calendar, and records in Raiser’s Edge. Uses analytical skills to identify and correct missing or incorrect information, pull data, and maximize the database to benefit alumni affinity group members.
  
  
• Oversees budgeting and all other aspects of affinity event planning and execution, including, venue selection, hotels, entertainment, meals, etc. Works with other staff to ensure high quality, meaningful experiences.
  
  
• Provides input for inclusion and affinities in the written Young Alumni Engagement Plan, as revised annually in partnership with University Development.
  
  
• Works with the Director of Constituent Strategy to create effective communications strategies to engage alumni around their affinities
  
  
• Occasionally collaborates with the Assistant Director of Chapter Operations, participating in the management of an extensive network of local alumni chapters, including some event planning.
  
  
• Staffs major campus reunions and other events. Pays careful attention to the alumni experience, resolving issues and concerns as they arise.
  
  
• Additional related duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: 8:30am-4:30pm, M-F. This position requires work during nights and weekends, during alumni events.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree is required. Experience in a Higher Ed setting and event planning will be preferred. Knowledge of issues and best practices related to diversity and inclusion is advantageous. Experience and creativity working with different forms of digital communications is required, including Web content management, email, and basic social media applications, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Instagram. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Box. Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database system is a significant plus, and is experience with graphic design and publishing software programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop and Dreamweaver is preferred. Must be a self-starter and have the ability to work independently, and to work collaboratively on a team to engage all segments of the increasingly diverse alumni and friends of the University. Must be available to occasionally travel overnight and perform some evening and weekend work.

Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Resume and cover letter are required. Upload both required documents to the Resume/CV upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  
  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  
  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.
  
  
• The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather.
  
  

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay:

$49,514.19 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Boosters are required. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.