Director, Volunteer Engagement

Director, Volunteer Engagement

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2023-16836
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Alumni Relations and Development

Princeton University

Overview

Princeton University Advancement works to inform, inspire, and involve Princeton’s global community of alumni, parents, and friends in ways that enable the University to fulfill its mission of advancing learning through scholarship, research, and teaching to serve humanity. The Director of Volunteer Engagement (Director) reports to the Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement Operations (AVP-AEO) and is a senior member of University Advancement’s Alumni Engagement team. The Director has a deep understanding of Princeton University and its mission, familiarity with the University’s diverse and global community of alumni, and genuine appreciation for the critical role that alumni volunteers play in the success of the University’s alumni engagement and fundraising activities.

The Director plays an integral role in supporting the alumni trustee election processes through which approximately 25 percent of the University’s trustees are elected, engaging with the Vice President and Secretary of the University as appropriate. This highly visible and strategic role presents an opportunity for the right incumbent to engage with senior University leadership and alumni volunteers on a broad range of high-priority efforts. In addition, the Director supervises the Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement.

Boyden, an executive search firm has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role please email Lisa Vuona lvuona@boyden.com or Leslie Smith leslie.smith@boyden.com. Electronic submission of credentials is strongly encouraged.

Responsibilities

Alumni Trustee Election Processes for Princeton’s Board of Trustees

• Stewards and supports the Committee to Nominate Alumni Trustees, a special standing committee of the Alumni Council that selects the undergraduate and graduate alumni candidates to run on an annual ballot for election to Princeton University’s Board of Trustees
• In partnership with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, stewards and supports the Young Alumni Trustee election process
• Interacts frequently with senior University administrators including but not limited to the offices of the Vice President and Secretary, the Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean of Undergraduate Students, the Vice President for Advancement, the Deputy Vice President for Alumni Engagement, trustees, alumni, and the vendor responsible for conducting the elections process

Academic Department Advisory Councils

• In partnership with the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, identify and recommend Princetonians to serve on advisory councils for more than 50 academic departments
• In partnership with Advancement colleagues, manage relationships with departmental faculty chairs, department managers, and senior alumni leaders
• Provide departments with expertise in governance, volunteer management, and best practices
• In partnership with colleagues in the Dean of Faculty’s Office and the Advancement Office, provides vision and leadership for university-wide engagement of advisory council members

Volunteer Leadership Pipeline Development

• In partnership with Advancement and campus colleagues, develop and maintain a robust pipeline of alumni to recommend for entry- through senior-level volunteer opportunities extending beyond the above referenced alumni trustee elections and advisory councils to volunteer roles for the Alumni Association, Annual Giving, and numerous campus partner opportunities (e.g., speakers, mentors, hosts, ambassadors, task forces, etc.)
• Partner with Advancement and campus colleagues to create metrics-driven reports that reflect a comprehensive view of volunteer engagement, leveraging this data to identify up-and-coming leaders and steward proven volunteer leaders with “service laddering” opportunities
• Partner with Advancement and campus colleagues to create more accessible entry points for alumni interested in volunteer service
• In conjunction with Advancement colleagues, design and implement strategies and programs to train volunteers and improve the volunteer experience

Other Duties as Assigned

Take on special projects from time to time as assigned by the AVP-AEO.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and seven years related experience
• Proven ability to develop and foster relationships with people at all levels of an organization, and to collaborate and influence at a high level
• Ability to collaborate, listen well, and take the lead in problem-solving and consensus building
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, and superb organizational skills; excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and in teams, with high personal standards representative of Princeton’s commitment to excellence
• Discretion, good judgment and commitment to keep confidential all data related to Princeton and its alumni and donors
• Ability to respond quickly to changing business needs and priorities. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and to produce high-quality and compelling work product under tight deadlines. Ability to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Commitment to University Advancement’s mission of fostering alumni engagement and maximizing philanthropic support for Princeton University and to adhering to its guiding principles of High Performance, Innovation, Civility, and Collaboration

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong familiarity with Princeton University, its mission, and its global community of alumni
• Strong familiarity with board of trustees and governance structures and processes
• Strong volunteer management experience
• Ability to authentically engage and inspire others as a representative of the Advancement Office

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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