Responsibilities

The Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Programs, reporting to the SVP of Development & Alumni Engagement, leads staff and volunteers to institutionalize philanthropy by managing the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving team. They are responsible for overseeing the ideation and execution of integrative programming that engage alumni and parents in creative and relevant ways. Through these opportunities, the Senior Director and team will convert that engagement into inspired and consistent philanthropic support.

The Senior Director must be an effective manager and energetic leader who excels at building and maintaining internal and external relationships. They must demonstrate a sophisticated approach to fundraising that builds upon The New School’s accomplishments by drawing on best practices, evaluating fundraising efforts, and applying innovative fundraising tools to harness opportunities for growth. The Senior Director will lead a unified and strategic outreach effort to sustain and expand commitment and engagement among The New School’s alumni and parents. In partnership with university leadership and key stakeholders, the key partner will be responsible for continuing to strengthen The New School’s Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Programs while applying a market-informed approach to alumni relations and annual giving segmentation and messaging.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the delivery of alumni engagement events and programs such as Parsons Reunion, Alumni Day, in addition to regional and international events
• Direct and lead a comprehensive alumni and parent-centric volunteer program and peer to peer networking platform
• Design, lead and direct the development of annual goals and objectives, operating plans, budgets and staffing for the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Programs unit
• Build effective collaborations across the department and other areas of the university such as Student Success, Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications, and the Offices of the Deans and the President
• Manage and motivate five direct reports and a total team of seven professionals while maintaining a keen focus on the best outcomes of integration in alumni relations and annual giving
• Oversee the execution of a robust direct marketing program for the university’s giving programs that will leverage the unification of alumni engagement and annual giving programming by deploying targeted solicitations across all channels for donor acquisition and retention
• Lead The New School Annual Fund’s efforts to increase unrestricted leadership support ($1,000 +) from alumni
• Direct the implementation of a strategic communications plan for activating a diverse population of alumni and parents with key initiatives at The New School utilizing a multi-channel approach through digital, print, and in-person efforts
• Serve as the custodian of alumni and parent information, safeguarding privacy and confidentiality

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Seven+ years of experience with increasing levels of responsibility working with alumni, volunteer, and membership groups preferably within higher education
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop staff, while working effectively and collaboratively in a team setting
• Strong knowledge of all aspects of fundraising and donor relations, including strategies for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving, with demonstrated success in exceeding goals
• High-level skills in consensus building, diplomacy, leadership, analysis and strategic planning
• Prior management and supervisory experience
• Ability to work inclusively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills