Job Overview

University of California Santa Cruz’s (UCSC) division of University Relations (UR) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, experienced, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) of Alumni Engagement.

Reporting to UR’s Vice Chancellor, the AVC will serve as a member of the senior leadership team.  The AVC determine the strategic direction, key performance indicators, organizational design, and long-term tactical goals for Alumni Engagement.  The AVC will be responsible for providing a dynamic environment in which alumni, donors, parents, and friends are thoughtfully stewarded; creative ideas towards achieving stretch goals are encouraged, and institutional collaboration is a priority.

The AVC will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing all aspects of UR’s alumni engagement program, including the management of up to 12 staff members, in support of UCSC’s central Alumni Engagement program. Significant to success will be understanding and embracing strategies across the entire university, colleges, schools and divisions, combining a shared identity while preserving their unique characteristics.

Salary Information: Minimum Starting Salary: $130,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Job Duties: 

50% – Key Functions and Expected Performance

• Provide leadership, management oversight, and strategic guidance for Alumni Engagement. This department is critical to UR and UCSC’s overall success and is most effective when working as part of an integrated advancement model.
• Provide direction and support to Alumni Engagement for effective and efficient work and service across UR and the entire university.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, collaborating with Vice Chancellor and the other AVCs within UR.
• Work collaboratively with provost/deans/unit leaders to develop synchronized alumni engagement strategies.
• Serve as a thought leader and a role model for incorporating DEI principles into the approach and the work environment of the Alumni Engagement program.
• Work diligently to understand, embrace, and develop UR’s unique messaging to proliferate the university’s value proposition for lifelong learning and professional development.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire new and existing staff members through a combination of transparency, effective communication, and modeling of collaborative behavior.
• Possess a strong track record of working with teams to envision and execute strategic initiatives that will increase engagement and philanthropic support.
• Encourage colleagues to exceed expectations, benchmark and initiate advancement industry best practices.
• Be willing to mentor and partner with highly motivated UR advancement professionals.
• Work cooperatively, collegially, professionally, and respectfully with UR and university colleagues to develop and foster strong working relationships.
• Practice and uphold departmental and institutional policies regarding confidential information.
• Evening work and travel is required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

50% – Alumni Engagement

• This position has executive responsibility for the Alumni Engagement unit, including oversight of up to 12 staff members, including up to five direct reports. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Vice Chancellor of University Relations.
• Design, plan, implement, and evaluate effective alumni programming, engagement strategies, and alumni support, and communicate this plan with university-wide stakeholders and external constituents.
• Spearhead industry-leading initiatives to increase alumni engagement and alumni reach.
• Provide strategic direction for overall operations.
• Oversee all aspects of the university’s school/college/division/unit alumni engagement program.
• Serve as the external and internal face of the university at alumni engagement events.
• Work closely with the Alumni Council and the separately incorporated Alumni Association in developing programs that engage alumni on a university-wide basis and further the university’s goals and objectives.

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Ten years of relevant work experience in alumni engagement, constituent engagement or similar work is necessary. Preference will be given to candidates with 10+ years of experience in higher education advancement.
• Demonstrated success in managing effective efforts in constituent engagement with measurable and significant increases in engagement rates.
• The maturity, judgment, and respect requisite to engage intelligently with campus leadership and prominent alumni.
• A collegial, understanding leadership style that values team members and institutional partners such as Career Services, Student Affairs, Athletics, Admissions, Communications, and other key areas is essential to success.
• Effective use of responsibility delegation.
• Ability to use software programs such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Power Point is necessary; familiarity with an advancement donor management system and other programs specific to development is desirable.
• The ability to lead teams and to work effectively and collaboratively with various groups and diverse constituencies.
• Success in managing volunteers.
• Creativity and insight in identifying critical collaborations between institutional goals and needs and alumni/prospective donors.
• Ability to learn new concepts quickly and adeptly, and to communicate them effectively to large and diverse audiences
• Aptitude to compile and assemble key performance indicator data from multiple sources and present data in an effective and easily comprehended way.
• Ability to apply sound judgment skills in all situations is required, especially related to project and team management, donor relationship building, and handling of confidential information.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy, as well as superior organizational skills, are necessary.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills are important; candidate must be able to articulate the needs, interests and accomplishments of University of California, Santa Cruz to important constituencies.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities is essential.
• Candidate must have the capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment
• The ideal candidate is a highly motivated executive with courteous interpersonal skills and an excellent customer service attitude.
• Values the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes; and recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together.
• Shares information; communicates proactively; transmits knowledge; asks for advice and considers it thoughtfully.
• Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers.
• Expects and delivers excellence. Is proactive and focused on creative problem solving. Welcomes input to making things better. Places a high value on learning and improving.
• Is motivated. Manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track. Balances multiple, competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.