Associate Director, Alumni and Donor Engagement

Job Description

The Christian Brothers Midwest District (CBMD) is one of four Districts in the Lasallian Region of North America, also known as Region Lasallienne de l'Amerique du Nord (RELAN). RELAN is comprised of Lasallian ministries in the United States and Canada. The Midwest District comprises seven states and includes three universities, twelve high schools and three middle schools. There are four retreat centers and one adult/family learning center, all of which provide a variety of programming including retreats, summer camps, tutoring and social justice education. There is also one publishing house and one Provincialate office. The District is home to 94 Brothers who have dedicated their lives to the education and care of others. In addition to these Brothers, the District benefits from the dedication of thousands of lay partners to carry out the Lasallian mission through its many programs and ministries.

The Christian Brothers Lasallian mission is an expression of God's loving concern, oriented particularly towards the wellbeing of the young and the poor, and lived out through association in an educational community.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Christian Brothers Midwest District seeks an Associate Director, Alumni and Donor Engagement ("Assoc. Director"). This is a full-time exempt primary management position with comprehensive responsibility for program and team results. The position has on-site and remote flexibility that reports directly to the Director of Development and works closely with the Development Team to build relationships among the Midwest District's alumni and donor community.

Through innovative and best practices, the Associate Director inspires philanthropy from and engagement of alumni and donors for the benefit of the Lasallian mission and its ministries across the region. Focused on creating opportunities for lifelong and meaningful relationships with and among alumni stakeholders, this position is a conduit to connect external constituencies, increase engagement and participation, and identify and cultivate future volunteers and new donors, resulting in more meaningful relationships and deeper, lasting support of institutional goals.

This position will work closely with team personnel in the offices of Annual Giving and Donor Stewardship to accomplish immediate and long-term tasks, strategies and goals. These include but are not limited to providing experiential opportunities for alumni and friends; fostering robust support via annual strategic campaigns and multimedia marketing; and encouraging, promoting, and strengthening long-term engagement and high-value interactions with donors.

The successful candidate must be a high caliber management professional adept in building and expanding programs, the donor solicitation process, and who is passionate about furthering the Christian Brothers Lasallian Mission.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. A full complement of benefits is provided, including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, and employee tuition assistance, each subject to associated waiting periods. The candidate will also receive generous holidays, and vacation and sick days earned on an accrual basis.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Alumni Relations
• Oversee development & management of events & programs including but not limited to alumni reunions, golf outings, meetings, and socials that lead to increased engagement.
• Develop and maintain project/event timelines, from conceptualization to execution designed to expand constituent engagement & alumni participation across the District.
• Liaise with several Lasallian Alumni Association Board and committee meetings, including preparing meeting materials; coordinating meeting logistics with board members; recruiting new alumni members; maintaining, updating and storing relevant materials; and keeping financial accounts.
• Manage alumni communications, including e-newsletters/bulletins; social media; alumni news updates; alumni website; and event invitations, as well as prepare reports, letters, and other written materials related to alumni relations efforts.
• Maintain organization of shared files; manage the alumni email inbox and respond to inquiries as appropriate, including the processing of transcript requests as received.
• Work closely with the team's Database Specialist to ensure that information on the alumni database, Salesforce, is kept up to date.
• Measure, evaluate, and analyze data from communications and events to assist with improving alumni and donor engagement and event planning.
• Develop new and refine existing tools to track alumni engagement.

Donor Engagement
• Participate in fundraising programs and events, including annual fund mailing campaigns, email solicitations, donor recognition events, and digital campaigns (i.e., Giving Day).
• Assist in the creation and editing of written communications including annual giving for first-time donors, alumni relations emails, letters, newsletters, invites, and annual impact reports.
• Manage a portfolio of nondonor alumni/friend event participants.
• Conduct prospect research on individual alumni prospects and donors, to devise and execute strategies for class reunions, regional events and visits, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Support reporting efforts assessing the ROI of alumni engagement strategies and activities.
• Support the Director of Development and Associate Director of Annual Giving with special projects and assignments as it relates to alumni engagement, donor relations and fundraising.
• Participate in internal meetings to understand broader marketing and social media strategies to support giving, donor retention, engagement, and overall District Office marketing goals.
• Exercise discretion and good judgment in performing assigned duties and maintain confidentiality associated with the nature of the position.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities related to those above which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.
• The work of the Development Office covers a wide range of activities and priorities which will inevitably change from day to day. All staff operate as a team and, while each has their own responsibilities, they are expected to assist each other in peak periods.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business, communication, nonprofit management, or other related field. Advanced Degree Preferred.
• Clear record of accomplishment in developing and executing successful programs.
• Demonstrable success in donor solicitations.
• Organized self-starter with impeccable attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple, competing priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrable professionalism, tact and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Strong planning skills, with the ability to complete tasks with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• The ability to thrive and work well under pressure, prioritizing and managing a varied workload while retaining an eye for detail.
• High understanding of Microsoft Office programs, CRM Platforms, Google Apps, and social media.
• Exceptional organizational, listening, writing, and verbal communications skills.
• Must be strategic and forward thinking.
• Positive attitude and passion for playing a significant role in advancing the Lasallian mission.
• Must have valid Driver's License and reliable transportation to attend outside meetings and events.
• Collegial and respectful of others.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Previous experience in education, alumni relations, communication, development, customer service or nonprofit environment.
• Event planning and volunteer management experience preferred.
• Lasallian alumni or individuals with experience in a Lasallian Educational Institution(s)/Leadership experience in a Lasallian ministry are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with Salesforce systems.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be physically able to sit, walk, or stand for extended periods of time.
• Limited pushing, pulling, stooping, and/or bending. Ability to carry or lift 25-50 lbs.
• Must be willing to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

The candidate will also perform critical responsibilities that are unique to CBMD, including:

• Ability to clearly articulate the Lasallian Mission of the Christian Brothers and Midwest District.
• Serve as a culture and brand ambassador in all interactions with all Lasallian stakeholders.
• Demonstrate and promote the Lasallian core values:

Application Procedure
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.
No phone calls please. To be considered for this position, interested and qualified candidates are asked to submit electronically with a letter of introduction and a professional resume to:

Christian Brothers of the Midwest
Associate Director, Alumni and Donor Engagement Search
Attn: Anthony C. Chimera at achimera@cbmidwest.org

About the Employer

The Lasallian Mission

The Lasallian Mission is our guide star, the point by which we navigate our journey and track our success. And since our inception, we have not wavered in our mission as Lasallian ministers, called together in association to serve and empower God's people and one another through the educational mission of the Catholic Church. We are men and women, young and old, Christian Brothers and colleagues exercising our shared ministry in faith and zeal. Together we stand-open to the Spirit, rooted in the Gospel, enriched by our traditions, preferentially committed to the poor. Together we enthusiastically forge a common future as Christian educators.