Job Purpose: 

Pomona College seeks a skilled program development & event manager who will help advance the College’s mission through engaging alumni, parents, students, volunteers, donors, prospective donors, and friends of the College in order to strengthen relationships throughout the Pomona community and build financial support for the College.

Primary focus areas include the development of alumni and parent engagement through coordination of local and regional events, as well as collaborating with campus colleagues to facilitate student/alumni interaction. Recruitment and management of nationwide-targeted geographic, academic and affinity group programs that address the Alumni Association’s strategic mission and vision is key, along with increasing alumni and parent involvement and participation in the life of the College through a variety of outreach efforts, events and programs. This position is a key member of the Advancement Division and the role requires a highly collaborative attitude, positive attitude, perseverance, as well as the ability to think strategically and creatively. This position reports to the Director, Alumni & Parent Engagement.

This position requires a command of advanced event management principles, a high level of organization, professionalism, and framework for event-based fundraising.

Essential Functions: 

Reporting directly to Director, Alumni & Parent Engagement, the Associate Director, Alumni & Parent Engagement performs the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• Plan Pomona’s outreach programs for alumni and parents, including Alumni Weekend, Winter Break Parties, regional alumni and parent events, Family Weekend, Summer Welcome Parties, and other on- and off-campus outreach programs. Schedule department meetings to strategically plan and coordinate events and conduct post-event reviews. Prepare cost-analysis and tracking reports that evaluate the effectiveness of events.
• Assist the department, and others, in the development of a strategic plan for alumni and parents outreach, engagement and communication programs, which includes developing engagement programs focused on increasing the depth and diversity of engagement and in support of the College.
• Work with campus partners in Career Services to develop a continuing relationship plan that strengthens the College’s engagement efforts.
• Serve as a member of the Alumni & Parent Engagement team by participating in group strategy discussions, providing project leadership when requested by management, sharing information with colleagues and contributing to the achievement of the overall goals of the Advancement Division.
• The Associate Director will work collaboratively with all Alumni and Parent Engagement Staff and student workers. The Associate Director will be expected to contribute to the overall advancement of annual giving programs and is also responsible for other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor degree is required.
• Experience: A minimum of three years of professional work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required with a proven record of accomplishment and taking initiative. Demonstrated fundraising experience at an academic institution is desirable. Relevant corporate, non-profit leadership, or military experience may be substituted for fundraising experience.

Required Knowledge and Critical Skills: 

The candidate must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using other skills and abilities not listed below.

• Demonstrated effectiveness and clarity of verbal and written communication with excellent interpersonal communication and phone manners. Must handle all activities and highly confidential information with patience, discretion, tact, and a keen eye for detail while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Able to operate computers with basic Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, Outlook), associated professional software (such as Cognos, Raiser’s Edge, Internet research, menu-driven databases) and social media networking. Demonstrated understanding of the use of technology to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the process of alumni and parent relations, event planning and general fundraising operations for a college or not-for-profit organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with extreme attention to detail; flexible and comfortable with excellent follow through. Goal oriented individual demonstrating effective management, planning, and organizational skills. Ability to work independently or with a team.
• Must understand and communicate the mission and history of the College’s liberal arts environment.