Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

The Chief Alumni Relations Officer (CARO) will be responsible for creating a vision andexecuting a strategy to increase the engagement of alumni with the University of Utah and build connections to current students to facilitate lifelong engagement and support for the University. The CARO will lead engagement in four key, strategic areas identified by CASE (the Council on the Advancement and Support of Education): volunteerism, experiences, philanthropy, and communication. These four areas are integral to the strategic initiatives, which includebuilding active regional, national, international, and affinity clubs and communities; career mentorship networks of alumni and students; scholarship and sponsorshipfundraising; event management; annual giving including parent, alumni, and leadershipsupport; partnerships across campus including athletics, student affairs, the office of equity diversity and inclusion (EDI), academics, and health units. The CARO is one of three senior leaders in the University of Utah Advancement office (with the Chief Philanthropy Officers for Campus and for Health) reporting directly to the Vice President of University Advancement.

The CARO will be a strong leader with experience in building networks; managingpeople and finances; creating and executing strategic initiatives; using data analytics toset benchmarks, assess progress, and redirect strategy; soliciting support; and withstrong ties to the University of Utah. Demonstrated experience in team-building, a trackrecord in building programs, and the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to establish strong relationships and partnerships internally and externally are required.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Business Administration or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); ten years of progressivelymore responsible experience or equivalency; demonstrated skills in leadership,management, financial planning, quality improvement and service delivery withinassigned area; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

• Provide vision, leadership and oversight to empower the Alumni Relations staff andBoard of Governors and its committees to maximize volunteerism, engagement,philanthropy, and communication among the almost 300,000 alumni of the University of Utah living worldwide;
• Engage alumni in the life of the University through consistent, positive, and interactivecommunication using electronic, print, and social media, exceptional customer service,and meaningful opportunities for volunteerism, service, personal and professionaldevelopment, and events and programs;
• Engage current and prospective students through volunteerism, career mentoring, the
MUSS
(Mighty Utah Student Section), the Student Alumni Board, and other initiatives tobuild lifelong connections to the University;
• Build the team of Alumni Relations staff and volunteers with mentorship andmotivation, professional development, and facilitating a work environment thatencourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those ofvarying cultures and backgrounds;
• Build the network of alumni clubs and communities regionally, nationally, internationally,and by affinity to maximize ties of alumni to the University and to serve as a source foralumni talent and resources for University students and other alumni;
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships and programs with campus partnersincluding Athletics, Student Affairs,
EDI
, University Marketing and Communications, andacademic colleges on campus and in U Health;
• Develop and manage an effective volunteer recruitment and management system thatengages alumni in meaningful opportunities, and identifies and cultivates volunteerleadership;
• Oversee fundraising programs and events that increase scholarship support;
• Oversee distribution of Alumni scholarship funds;
• With the Chief Philanthropy Officer for Campus, oversee annual giving, parent giving,student philanthropy, and leadership giving for the University;
• Develop sponsorship relationships to increase support for Alumni programs andevents;
• Develop goals, set benchmarks and evaluate progress using data analytics;
• Oversee Alumni House maintenance and event rental program;
• Oversee an office of approximately 20 staff, up to 200 volunteers, and a $2.5M budget;
• Active in professional organizations and build a network with peer institutions’ AlumniRelations offices to raise visibility of the University and gain awareness of emergingtrends in the field.