Assistant Director of Alumni Communications & Engagement

Position Purpose:

The Assistant Director of Alumni Communications & Engagement is responsible for collaborating on communications and other essential projects on behalf of the Office of Philanthropy & Engagement (OPE) with University Marketing Communications. This role executes strategies to raise the visibility of the University and to increase engagement and annual giving with key audiences.

Core Competencies:

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is to empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Collaborates with University partners on philanthropic and engagement communications via email, direct mail, phone, online giving, social media and targeted digital outreach to execute effective solicitation and engagement campaigns.
2. Serves as the campus expert for Give Campus, the platform used for annual giving, events, and outreach.
3. Serves as the liaison between OPE and University Marketing Communications, ensuring alignment and collaboration on messaging, branding, and promotional strategies for fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship initiatives.
4. Develops tools, processes, procedures, policies and materials to support the alumni engagement and annual giving program, peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, and campus partners to ensure a seamless and positive donor experience.
5. Develops OPE communications.
6. Researches, writes, and edits a variety of communications, publications, and reports.
7. Develops and manages digital and print communications projects.
8. Manages the content calendar for OPE communications.
9. Acts as content development resource for OPE.
10. Assists with implementing a comprehensive annual giving program to acquire, retain, and upgrade annual donors.
11. Assists with coordinating alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives including the AU Day of Generosity, local and regional events, and affinity-based campaigns.
12. Assists with event logistics, including onsite support for registration.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least three years of successful experience within higher education or non-profits.

Skills:

• Experience with writing copy, with basics of marketing, and with communication platforms like Constant Contact.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/functions to produce quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Project management experience.
• Experience working with data to inform decisions.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to build relationships with internal and external constituents.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment.
• Strong organizational and detail-orientation skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within higher education.
• Basic knowledge of fundraising principles, best practices, methods, and standards.
• An understanding of relational databases and report-writing systems.
• Experience with project management tools like Basecamp.
• Experience with Give Campus.
• Knowledge of annual giving and alumni engagement best practices.

Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees.

• Health InsuranceChoice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.
• Dental and Vision InsuranceChoice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Life Insurance and AD&D1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children.
• Long Term Disability60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options.
• TIAA Retirement AccountThe University offers a 403b retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs.
• Paid Time OffVacation, personal, and sick leave are provided to eligible employees.
• HolidaysThe university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed.
• Tuition AssistanceTuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses is available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one (1) year of regular, full-time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval.
• Tuition Exchange ConsortiumsAU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) enabling full-time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC-TEP and TE programs is one (1) year of regular, full-time employment as of 8/31.

To see more benefits details and breakdowns please see our benefits guide here (Download PDF reader).

Required Questions

1. Do you have a completed bachelor’s degree?
   • Yes
   • No
2. How many years of professional experience do you have in higher education, nonprofit organizations, communications, marketing, alumni engagement, fundraising, or a related area?
   • No experience
   • Less than 1 year
   • 1–2 years
   • 3–4 years
   • 5 years of more
3. Which of the following areas do you have experience with? Select all that apply.
   • Writing or editing communications/content
   • Email or digital communications.
   • Social media communications
   • Project management
   • Alumni engagement or fundraising
   • None of the above
4. Do you have experience managing multiple projects, communications, or initiatives with competing deadlines?
   • Yes
   • No

Employer: Aurora University (IL)

Address: 347 S. Gladstone Ave., Aurora, Illinois, 60506

Phone: 630-844-5493

Website: www.aurora.edu