What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund position at Centenary University, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation?
Centenary University launches students into a successful career and life. Centenary advances three strategic priorities: Student Success, University Vitality, and World Engagement.
Position Summary
The Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund is a strategic relationship-builder responsible for strengthening alumni engagement and broad-based philanthropic support for Centenary University. Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement & Communications, this role leads the development and execution of comprehensive alumni engagement strategies and annual giving initiatives that foster lifelong alumni relationships, increase donor participation, and support the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
This position creates meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect with the University through communications, events, volunteer leadership, mentorship, and philanthropy. The Director also oversees the University’s Annual Fund strategy, ensuring strong annual giving participation, donor retention, and a seamless pipeline from broad-based support to leadership and major gifts.
Core Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
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Alumni Engagement Strategy and Programming
- Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with Centenary’s institutional priorities.
- Create meaningful opportunities for alumni involvement through events, reunions, networking opportunities, volunteer leadership roles, student/alumni mentoring, and regional or affinity-based programming.
- Build strategies that foster alumni pride, loyalty, and long-term connection to Centenary University.
- Partner with Academic Affairs, Student Life, Athletics, and campus leadership to create alumni touchpoints and cultivate engagement beginning with current students.
Outcome:
- Increased alumni participation, stronger affinity, and a more connected and engaged alumni community.
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Annual Fund Strategy and Execution
- Design and manage the University’s Annual Fund strategy to support unrestricted giving and priority initiatives.
- Lead annual giving efforts through direct mail and digital appeals, email and social media campaigns, giving days, special initiatives, reunion and class-based giving, and parent and alumni participation campaigns.
- Segment and personalize outreach strategies to improve donor acquisition, retention, and renewal.
- Establish annual goals, benchmarks, and reporting metrics for participation and revenue growth.
Outcome:
- Sustained growth in annual fund revenue, increased donor participation, improved donor retention, and stronger broad-based philanthropic support.
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Alumni Communications and Stewardship
- Collaborate closely with the Director of Public Relations and Communications to develop alumni-focused communications, including newsletters, giving appeals, impact stories, event promotion, donor stewardship content, and alumni spotlights.
- Ensure timely acknowledgment, stewardship, and reporting for alumni gifts.
- Share compelling stories that demonstrate the impact of alumni engagement and philanthropy.
- Strengthen alumni trust through thoughtful, consistent, and mission-centered outreach.
Outcome:
- Enhanced alumni trust, stronger donor satisfaction, and increased long-term philanthropic engagement.
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Volunteer Management and Alumni Leadership Development
- Recruit, engage, and support alumni volunteers to serve as ambassadors, mentors, event hosts, reunion leaders, class representatives, and advisory group members.
- Strengthen alumni board, council, and volunteer leadership structures where applicable.
- Develop recognition strategies for alumni volunteers and donors.
- Provide regular communication, direction, and support to alumni leaders and volunteers.
Outcome:
- A stronger alumni volunteer network that expands the University’s reach, engagement capacity, and culture of alumni leadership.
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Donor Pipeline Development and Advancement Collaboration
- Identify annual fund donors and engaged alumni with leadership or major gift potential.
- Partner with Advancement colleagues to support prospect identification, cultivation, stewardship, and handoff strategies.
- Align alumni engagement initiatives with broader fundraising priorities, campaign goals, and institutional needs.
- Support donor cultivation events, stewardship opportunities, and strategic engagement with prospective donors.
Outcome:
- A stronger donor pipeline from alumni engagement to leadership giving, major gifts, and long-term philanthropic support.
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Event Planning and Alumni Experience
- Lead planning and execution of alumni-focused events and experiences, including Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, regional alumni gatherings, networking and career events, donor recognition opportunities, and virtual engagement experiences.
- Ensure alumni events reflect Centenary’s mission, culture, traditions, and commitment to community.
- Work collaboratively with campus partners, vendors, volunteers, and Advancement staff to deliver high-quality alumni experiences.
- Evaluate event participation, satisfaction, and engagement outcomes to inform future planning.
Outcome:
- Memorable alumni experiences that deepen connection, pride, engagement, and support for Centenary University.
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Data Management, Reporting, and Operations
- Maintain accurate alumni and donor records in the University’s CRM/database.
- Track participation, giving, event attendance, volunteer engagement, and other alumni engagement metrics.
- Analyze trends and use data to improve outreach, segmentation, programming, and fundraising effectiveness.
- Manage alumni relations and annual fund budgets and resources effectively.
- Support compliance with University policies and Advancement procedures related to gifts, donor records, communications, and event operations.
Outcome:
- Efficient and compliant alumni relations and annual fund operations within budget guidelines, supported by strong reporting and data-informed decision-making.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in alumni relations, annual giving, advancement, higher education development, nonprofit fundraising, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success in alumni engagement, annual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, volunteer management, and event planning.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, writing, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience with donor/alumni databases, CRM systems, email platforms, and engagement tracking tools preferred.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities in a collaborative environment.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to use data to inform strategy and decision-making.
- Commitment to Centenary University’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
Key Competencies
- Relationship Building and Alumni Engagement
- Annual Fund Strategy and Donor Stewardship
- Event Planning and Volunteer Management
- Strategic Thinking and Execution
- Collaboration and Cross-Campus Partnership
- Communication and Storytelling
- Data Analysis and Results Orientation
- Professionalism and Accountability
Reporting Structure
- Reports to: Vice President for Advancement & Communications
- Direct Reports: None at this time; may provide direction to alumni volunteers, student workers, interns, and event support staff as assigned.
Expected Performance Indicators — Illustrative
- Growth in annual fund revenue and alumni giving participation.
- Improved donor retention, renewal, and acquisition rates.
- Increased alumni event attendance and participation.
- Increased number of engaged alumni volunteers, mentors, ambassadors, and reunion/class leaders.
- Growth in alumni communications engagement, including email open rates, click-through rates, and event registrations.
- Increased number of alumni prospects identified for leadership annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and volunteer leadership.
- Accurate and timely alumni and donor data entry, tracking, and reporting.
- Successful planning and execution of alumni events, giving campaigns, and stewardship initiatives.
- Strengthened collaboration with Advancement, Communications, Athletics, Student Life, Academic Affairs, and other campus partners.
- Positive alumni feedback and increased alumni connection to Centenary University.
Salary : $75,000 - $85,000