Senior Director Multicultural & Affinity Engagement (17524)

Summary/Objective

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations, the Senior Director (SD) of Multicultural and Affinity Engagement provides strategic oversight for AU’s alumni affinity programming, shaping and executing plans for identity-based, industry-based, and interest-based affinity programming, and liaising with alumni volunteer leaders to establish shared goals. The SD will utilize a data-based approach to inform goals to ensure continued refinement and growth of the affinity program and will implement and manage both new and current affinity groups designed to meet organizational need and alumni interest. The SD will maximize current affinity relationships across campus and continue cross-divisional outreach designed to establish partnerships. Specifically, the Director will work closely with Campus Life and the Career Center to ensure that the experience for these respective alumni groups both advances institutional objectives and is meaningful as a form of engagement for alumni.

Essential Functions

1. Provide strategic oversight for AU’s alumni affinity, industry, and identity-based programming, including goal setting and the creation, implementation, and management of new and existing affinity groups designed to meet organizational need and alumni interest. Collaborate with volunteers to establish and align around a set of collective goals that support the goals articulated in AU’s 2018-2024 strategic plan, Changemakers for a Changing World. This includes volunteer recruitment, training and stewardship for pertinent programs, event and program management and oversight, and marketing responsibilities for these programs. Establish and monitor a set of metrics designed to track progress to goals. Maintain collaborative working relationships with university offices and student organization leadership as appropriate. Liaise with and staffAlumni Board committees, as appropriate.
2. Strategize, implement, and manage all efforts associated with the annual Multicultural Alumni Reunion (MCAR). This includes the recruitment and management of the planning committee, and all associated logistic, administrative, and marketing needs. Work in collaboration with the Leadership Annual Giving team to leverage philanthropic opportunities including, but not limited to, the management of the MCAR host committee.
3. Serve as the divisional representative as a member of the President’s Council on Diversity and Inclusion (PCDI), both the leadership circle and the large cohort. The PCDI guides and tracks progress towards the University’s Plan for Inclusive Excellence. Through membership in DAR’s divisional IE Committee, liaise between the two groups to ensure mission alignment, and to assist DAR in moving IE goals forward.
4. Manage a team of three full-time staff members in support of affinity, industry, and identity-based programming. Establish goals and metrics designed to track progress to goals. Administer the performance management process annually, and actively seek professional development opportunities for the team as appropriate.
5. Write, edit, and organize various communication mediums, including web content;direct mailings,when applicable;Alumni Updatenewsletter content; Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other relevant social media outlets; and any other communication vehicles geared towards affinity engagement opportunities.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Multicultural and Affinity Engagement to enhance the mission and goals of OAR and DAR.

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations.
• Number of Personnel Directly Supervised: This position supervises three fulltime staff and may also supervise student or parttime staff.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full time
• Function Leader B
• Exempt

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of 7 years of successful experience in alumni or donor relations for educational institutions or non-profit organizations
• Demonstrated experience with volunteer management

Preferred Education and Experience

• Training and or experience managing DEAI initiatives and/or programs preferred
• Intercultural communication skills or a level of intercultural competence preferred

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Ability to independently formulate long-range objectives, and manage varied programs and services
• Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and work independently
• Availability to work some nights and weekends, as well as to travel, regionally and internationally as required
• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive.

Benefits

• Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options

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