Vice President for Alumni Engagement

Posting Details



Job # 037848 Department Code 0 Department Advancement and External Affairs Job Title Vice President for Alumni Engagement Location Syracuse, NY Pay Range Commensurate with Experience Staff Level 00 FLSA Status Exempt Hours
Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)

8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs. Job Type Full-time Campus Syracuse, NY Unionized Position Code Not Applicable Job Description
The Vice President for Alumni Engagement will report directly to the Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President, Advancement and External Affairs and partner closely with university and volunteer leadership to increase engagement with students, alumni and friends of the university. The vice president will ensure that the Syracuse family on and off-campus are receiving an inspiring “Orange experience” and support as they chart personal pathways reinforced by an education from one of the nation’s leading private research universities. Syracuse students and alumni celebrate storied tradition, connections and being part of a family that extends across the globe and the vice president will be the convener of those networks.

Qualifications
Syracuse University seeks a leader whose personal values resonate with those of the university. The vice president for alumni engagement will be a forward-thinking and self-confident professional who leads by example and not by authority. The vice president will have high emotional intelligence, sound judgment and commitment to engaging diverse communities of alumni and potential donors. The successful candidate will be a team player who galvanizes support for the program with internal and external constituents and possess broad knowledge of higher education advancement strategy. The vice president will have a discernible record of successful and innovative experience in leadership and administration and a deep understanding of the role of philanthropy in higher education. The vice president will be a fully engaged team member and invested in “Being Orange”. In addition, the next vice president will possess the following:

• A bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred;
• Ten years leadership experience in an advancement or engagement program, preferably at a university of similar size and complexity;
• A national inclination for bridge building and collaboration;
• Proven ability with budget preparation, planning and resource management;
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills working with a wide range of constituents;
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment
• Experience preparing, leading and deploying a strategic plan;
• Evidence of organizational skills, strong managerial leadership and innovative approaches to problem-solving;
• Ability to utilize data-driven approaches to measure engagement through business intelligence tools, score cards and the analysis of raw data;
• A strong understanding of where alumni engagement activities fit into the broader donor cultivation process;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members) from diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from internal and external audiences;
• High emotional intelligence;
• Humility and sense of humor that forms the basis of successful collegial relationships;
• Strong ethical, moral and professional values; and Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusive excellence.

Job Specific Qualifications Responsibilities
The vice president will oversee a staff of 20 in creating a forward-thinking alumni program and work closely with the Syracuse University Alumni Association Board of Directors in implementing strategies that show alumni the full value of their experience. Given the challenges of the global health crisis, the vice president will lead a team to think nimbly and responsibly about engaging alumni in multiple platforms, settings and formats to keep affinity strong and ensure alumni have social and professional resources during this extraordinary time.

The vice president will have a vision for a highly integrated agenda across the advancement enterprise working closely with an engaged divisional senior team. The vice president will collaborate with senior team colleagues in setting division-wide goals and priorities and participate in strategic resourcing decisions. The alumni engagement team and development staff will work collaboratively to increase affinity and inclination reinforcing that building long-term philanthropic relationships is a team sport. The vice president will continue to grow the capacity, reach and success of the program with tremendous energy and an eye towards bridge building and collaboration across the enterprise.

The incoming vice president will be a fully engaged colleague on campus and in the community of Syracuse, NY, resonate with and speak passionately on behalf of Syracuse University, and completely embrace what it means to be “Forever Orange”. The candidate will have a proven record of success leading an alumni relations or engagement program of similar size, diversity and complexity. The vice president will be an experienced manager and understand how to effectively lead through influence and inspiration versus oversight, when needed. The candidate must be well-versed in best practices in the advancement profession, particularly related to measuring ROI on engagement activities leading to an increase in giving and program involvement.

Physical Requirements Tools/Equipment Application Instructions
WittKieffer is assisting Syracuse University in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. Applications, nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Melissa Fincher and Alejandra Gillette-Teran SyracuseAlumniEngagement@wittkieffer.com About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu. About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal. EEOC
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities. Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members. Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community
Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity. Quick Link https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/90257 Job Posting Date 12/03/2021 Application Deadline Full Consideration By Job Category Staff Message to Applicants
WittKieffer is assisting Syracuse University in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. Applications, nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Melissa Fincher and Alejandra Gillette-Teran SyracuseAlumniEngagement@wittkieffer.com