Position Objective: 

The Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund is responsible for the coordination and execution of the annual fund for the Weatherhead School of Management. The assistant director will work in partnership with alumni relations and development colleagues in the school, as well as across the division of University Relations and Development, to meet or exceed the annual fund goals for the school. This role will personally solicit annual fund gifts, provide analysis and reports on annual fund activity, coordinate volunteers, and help produce annual fund solicitation materials. The assistant director is responsible for strategizing, planning and executing alumni programming in alignment with the goals and objectives of the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University advancement strategy, development staff and other related constituent groups. The assistant director is also responsible for working on special projects at the intersection of alumni relations and annual fund, primarily focused on event, program and data integrity protocols to help facilitate top-of-funnel lead development and prospect management. This position will require that approximately 40% of their time be on identification, direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. This position involves regular and extensive interaction with senior school and university leadership, donors and prospects, community leaders, high-level volunteers, and alumni. Functioning as part of a university development team, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership, with central and other school-based colleagues.

Essential Functions: 

• Increase alumni engagement by involving and encouraging alumni participation in alumni activities, events, and volunteer opportunities, including Homecoming & Reunion Weekend; alumni gatherings and programs; and the school’s signature events. Work closely with development, marketing, and key leadership constituencies to develop strong ties between alumni and the Weatherhead School of Management. Represent the Weatherhead School of Management among its various external and internal constituencies by building relationships and credibility with alumni (local, regional, and international), donors, students, staff, faculty, and campus partners. Work closely with the senior director of alumni relations to support the Alumni Advisory Council, and cultivate relationships with its members to strengthen ties with the school. (25%)
• In partnership with the senior director of alumni relations and development programs, plan strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of special annual fund programs (e.g. Special Annual Fund Solicitations, Reunion Giving Challenge, faculty/staff solicitation. Arrange appropriate opportunities to meet with potential donors by leveraging communication approaches (phone, mail, email), to secure appointments and solicit gifts from the highest-level prospects and donors. Donor cultivation may require local, regional, or national travel. (25%)
• Manage a small portfolio of annual fund donors. Identify, cultivate, and solicit, mainly via phone, for the Weatherhead School of Management in accordance with fundraising priorities established by senior leadership. (15%)
• Prepare compelling annual fund solicitations, case statements, donor proposals and program materials for use in solicitations. Track, analyze, and report all annual fund donor activity. Includes maintaining gift accuracy, producing lists for the annual report, creating donor lists by class year and donor club level, and providing lists to volunteer groups. Access highly confidential records of donors, parents, alumni, friends of the university to analyze and evaluate essential information to ascertain giving history, family, and other relationships with the university to provide essential background data. Collaborate with development staff on strategies for pulling donor giving data for solicitation and recognition purposes. Recruit, train and supervise student intern, who works 20 hours per week. (15%)
• Collaborate with the senior director of alumni relations and development programs and associate director of donor engagement, to execute strategic follow up and data management protocols to ensure timely and thoughtful follow-up by development officers. Coordinate with the department manager and student workers to execute alumni research and database updates. (10%)

Nonessential Functions: 

• Partner with the associate director of volunteer programs and special events to raise sponsorships for Weatherhead 100 to meet the strategic leadership priorities for this headliner event. (5%)
• Serve as the point of contact for colleagues in central development, schools, college, and other departments to answer questions related to Weatherhead School of Management annual fund fundraising efforts. (3%)
• Actively participate in development and alumni relations activities and events as requested, or required, including, but not limited to, attendance at university functions during evenings and weekends (e.g. commencement, homecoming and reunion, alumni networking events). (2%)
• Perform other duties as assigned, including cross-functional duties associated with the alumni relations and development’s daily operation. Assist the senior director with and provide oversight and on-site management to other university programs, meetings and events as required. (<1%)

Contacts: 

• Department: Daily contact with office staff members to maintain workflow.
• University:  Frequent contact with central annual giving and advancement services, deans, vice presidents, faculty, and staff.
• External: Frequent contact with alumni, donors, and vendors.
• Students: Daily contact with students.

Supervisory Responsibility: 

No supervision of staff. Will supervise 1 to 2 student workers.

Qualifications: 

• Experience: 4 years of experience in development, alumni relations or related field required. Experience in non-profit organizations and/or higher education is preferred. Experience related to fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, event planning, project management, research, communications and marketing a plus.
• Education/Licensing: Bachelor’s degree required.

Required Skills: 

• Must possess superior planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• High attention to detail required and ability to meet required deadlines.
• Must be able to work independently and as a member of the development team.
• Proven ability to plan, initiate, manage and evaluate complex campaigns and events to impact philanthropic mission.
• Strong writing skills required.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to influence and manage relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, students, and donors face to face.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new software programs.
• Familiarity with Advance or other donor database preferred.
• Extraordinary care in maintaining absolute confidentiality and trust in handling budget and program information, donor and prospect information, confidential memoranda, and trustee/ alumni/ dean/ vice-president/ faculty/ staff/ student interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to use work time productively and exercise good judgment in handling high priority items and sensitive and highly confidential matters; discretion and tact are essential.
• Excellent research skills on both electronic and non-electronic formats.
• Proficient in the analysis and interpretation of information.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.

Working Conditions: 

General office working environment. Required to work some evenings and weekends for event management, alumni, and donor engagement. Some local travel (20 percent) is required.

Diversity Statement: 

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable Accommodation: 

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

COVID Vaccination Policy: 

Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: https://case.edu/equity/covid-19-accommodations. Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 /[email protected] for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as accommodation.

Apply Online: 

We invite interested, qualified applicants to browse our website at jobs.case.edu for job ID 9404.