Position Summary 

The Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Manager assists the Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement in managing and implementing a comprehensive annual giving program for Joliet Junior College (JJC). Develops and implements an annual giving and stewardship plan to cultivate and retain donors, including fundraising events, programs and services. Manages programs that foster affinity, advocacy, and active support among JJC alumni. Some early morning, evening and weekend work will be required.

Essential Job Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance the annual giving program, including creative conception and design, copy writing, objectives, strategy development, planning and execution of multiple direct mail, e-campaigns, and annual giving solicitations to alumni, friends, and faculty/staff per year. Draft promotional materials, organize mailings, refine goals and create analytical progress reports.
• Develop and implement an annual fundraising and stewardship plan to cultivate and retain donors.
• Take a leadership role on a team to plan, organize, promote and implement special fundraising events, including JJC Foundation 5K Run/Walk, Night of Stars, JJC Athletic Golf Outing, Employee Alumni Holiday Party, anniversary events, etc.
• Participate in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of leadership gift donors/prospects.
• Manage the functions of Alumni Relations and the associated budget.
• Supervise and evaluate a full-time employee in Institutional Advancement, delegating duties related to annual giving, special events, and database management.
• Recruit, train and motivate alumni leaders as volunteers, serving as a catalyst for the JJC Foundation Board. Cultivate and maintain strong bonds with alumni, parents, friends and donors.
• Work with faculty/staff to identify new opportunities for alumni involvement in college student programming.
• Work with database administrator on Raiser’s Edge projects to identify alumni and annual giving prospects and create special reports, troubleshoot problems and implement new projects.
• Organize and manage the annual Employee Giving Program, including the creation of engagement opportunities for alumni employees throughout the year.
• Develop and implement a robust social media/web presence for the JJC Foundation and Alumni Relations. Expand communication on alumni relations/annual giving-related web pages and social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others.
• Assume special project responsibilities and related duties as assigned by Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of development or community relations experience.
• Experience in planning and coordinating special events.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Budgeting, program planning and organizational abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet goals within deadline.
• Demonstrated ability to work as an assertive, energetic leader with a high degree of creativity, enthusiasm, initiative and diplomacy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications/English, marketing, management, business or a related field.
• Three (3) years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, marketing or a related field.
• Knowledge and experience with donor databases, specifically Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge.