The Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Fundraising will serve as the head of engagement operations and the strategic lead for Alumni Association fundraising, marketing, and data reporting. As the chief strategist for alumni fundraising, the Senior Director will design initiatives that create a pipeline of donors to Association funds as well as funds within the University at large. Particular emphasis will be on creating a culture of philanthropy among current students and recent graduates. Additionally, the Senior Director will plan and execute all annual giving campaigns and donor stewardship initiatives for the Association, and will work in collaboration with the Managing Director and Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations on major gift and planned giving prospects for the Association.

The Senior Director will also oversee the Alumni Association’s engagement marketing and will serve as the strategic lead for the Association’s CRM platform. Major marketing initiatives managed by the Senior Director include the Association Annual Report, annual alumni survey, Alumni Association website, the alumni blog, and Alumni Directory. Additionally, the Senior Director will be the lead staff responsible for engagement metrics and reporting across the division of University Relations. This includes creating and refining engagement reports and synthesizing data across multiple platforms to develop actionable insights that will enhance engagement, membership, and fundraising strategies.

The Senior Director will also staff the Scholarship Committee on the Alumni Association Board of Governors, with potential for additional task forces and committees as they are formed. The Senior Director will manage a team of three full-time staff members and several interns.

As a leader in the Division of University Relations, the Senior Director will develop strong relationships with key alumni leaders, foster campus partnerships to advance the goals of the Alumni Association, and manage cross-functional projects and teams that elevate the work of alumni engagement at the University of Maryland.

The Director must have the ability to travel and to attend evening and weekend events and programs (15%).

Education (include licenses, certifications, etc.):
Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience:
A minimum of 8 years of experience in fundraising, alumni or volunteer relations, or related experience. Candidates must also have experience training and managing staff, soliciting and closing philanthropic gifts, and staffing boards and/or committees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to think creatively and strategically in order to launch a new initiative.
Ability to work collaboratively, multi-task, think strategically to both set and achieve goals.
Ability to assess, recommend and implement programming and operations based on strategic planning goals.
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.