Director of Alumnae Engagement

About Salem Academy and College

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country.  Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 254-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.  Salem Academy is a boarding and day college preparatory school with a focus on interdisciplinary learning using STEAM, wellness and leadership. 

Position Summary

The Director of Alumnae Engagement is responsible for implementing a comprehensive engagement strategy and programming for alumnae in support of Salem Academy and College’s overall mission. The Director of Alumnae Engagement performs the day-to-day operations of alumnae communications and the planning and execution of programs including regional events, Reunion Weekend, Academy Alumnae Board and College Alumnae Board meetings, and alumnae networking events (both virtual and in person). The Director of Alumnae Engagement assists with annual giving and Reunion giving activities as needed.  In addition to day-to-day operations, this role will work to create and implement initiatives and programs designed to increase engagement among the 15,000 alumnae and between the alumnae population and the institution. The Director of Alumnae Engagement will work closely with the VP of Strategic Initiatives and members of the Institutional Advancement staff to ensure that the goals of the Office of Institutional Advancement and the overall institutional goals are met. The position requires in-person work in the office and the ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate all aspects of the Academy and College Reunion Weekend.  Supervise all events, recruit and work with class leaders, and maintain frequent contact to ensure attendance, class giving, and participation in Reunion Weekend events.
• Plan and coordinate all aspects of alumnae events, both in-person regional events and virtual events such as the bi-annual State of Salem webinars and the virtual book club.
• Build and manage online event invitations and registration forms in Constant Contact and through Blackbaud NXT.
• Coordinate and manage the Academy Alumnae Board and the College Alumnae Board to ensure appropriate leadership is in place.  Serve as the principal staff liaison to the board for purposes of fulfilling the goals of the institution.
• Work in cooperation with Institutional Advancement and Marketing & Communications to develop content for publications, marketing materials, alumnae newsletters, etc.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to develop a bi-monthly News from the May Dell newsletter geared towards alumnae population.
• Work with the Marketing & Communications to keep the alumnae web pages (Academy and College) and all institutional social media outlets up-to-date with news, events, and other marketing – Instagram, Facebook, etc.
• Maintain the official alumnae social media accounts and serves as an administrator (along with several alumnae volunteers) of the “unofficial” social media accounts (Academy and College)
• Educate graduating students about alumnae benefits and engage them in alumnae programs
• Support Alumnae Awards Committees that publicly recognize outstanding alumnae leaders and Nominating Committees to bring diverse representation of our alumnae populations into the Alumnae Boards
• Foster strong relationships with various constituencies of the Academy and College by responding to inquiries, both verbal and written, directed to the alumnae office regarding a variety of issues and concerns including the status or location of graduates, affiliation procedures and policies, upcoming alumnae activities and events, or other associated matters
• Lead Reunion Class Officer training and coordinate with 80 class officers, who change annually, on a regular basis throughout the Reunion cycle
• Coordinate the scope of work in collaboration with other IA staff members to maximize efficiencies. Evaluate and implement ways to streamline processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Three to five years of related professional experience to include work in fundraising, planning and managing special events, identifying, training and working with volunteers, preferably in a higher education setting
• Highly proficient computer skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of internal and external constituents including faculty, staff, students, alumnae, parents, donors, volunteers, and friends of the Academy and College
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through the development and composition of professional correspondence and formal presentations
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively multi-task and produce accurate professional work products under demanding timelines
• Ability to establish cooperative, effective working relationships
• Outstanding planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Proven ability to display discretion in dealing with sensitive, confidential issues
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel and to work evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with development or fundraising software;
• Volunteer recruitment and management experience.

Physical Functions

While performing the responsibilities of the Director of Alumnae Engagement, the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.

Salem Academy and College is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.

For questions, contact Katherine Knapp Watts, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at katherine.watts@salem.edu