Director of Community Engagement & External Relations - 502485

SUMMARY:

Working in collaboration with faculty and professional education staff, under the direction of the senior director of marketing and engagement and with guidance from the dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, the Director of Community Engagement & External Relations is responsible for expanding and developing partnerships with area corporations, organizations, municipalities, educational institutions and governmental agencies with the goal of increasing student enrollment. The Director of Community Engagement and External Relations develops and implements projects related to community engagement, external relations, volunteer management and the advancement function in the school. The Director articulates the School’s mission to a variety of organizations in the community, acting as a liaison between SPCS and these entities in support of the School’s overall mission. The director also manages special events and coordinates SPCS’s role in the design and delivery of activities to support engagement with key alumni and community constituencies. This position manages the functions of the Dean’s Ambassadors Circle and serves as the School’s liaison and an ex officio member of the SPCS Alumni Association Board of Directors and the SPCS Student Government Association

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Partnerships

• In collaboration with school level partners, develop, lead and manage a comprehensive plan to promote the School to external organizations, including a budget to support plan activities
• Research, develop, refine, and evaluate opportunities for alliances that will expand the School’s market reach and awareness, support its brand position and improve its reputation
• Support the comprehensive enrollment of the SPCS academic programs
• Represent the University in off-campus professional and business meetings, conferences, and other events to increase visibility in the business community in support of existing partnerships, exploration of new partnerships, and assistance with the School’s student recruitment strategy
• Foster an environment where partnerships can thrive

External Relations and Alumni Engagement

• Acts as the staff liaison for three SPCS volunteer organizations - SPCS Alumni Association (SPCS AA), Dean’s Ambassadors Circle (DAC) and SPCS Student Government Association, including administrative support and planning of meetings and development and engagement of the organizations’ members
• Works collaboratively with the rest of the SPCS Marketing & Engagement team to promote SPCS alumni achievements and alumni events through School and University communication channels
• Develops and implements strategic initiatives to support student and alumni engagement, promote loyalty and increase fundraising participation
• Manages volunteer recruitment, identifying prospects and serving as liaison between the Dean and the various boards
• Prepares, staffs, and briefs the Dean for meetings with the latest information on alumni and key volunteer groups
• Identifies, recruits, and manages volunteers for SPCS special projects
• Partners with deans, directors, staff and faculty to plan opportunities to increase their involvement in student and alumni engagement

Fundraising and Development

• Works with University advancement to identify, cultivate, and engage potential donors
• Oversees and manages Dean’s Impact Fund (SPCS annual fund) on behalf of the SPCS, including the identification of opportunities and the monitoring of usage
• Works with University Advancement and the Dean to set goals and support plans for annual fund gifts, major gifts, and planned giving
• Coordinates the School’s support of University-wide giving campaigns
• Oversees research and development of new giving opportunities for key SPCS constituency groups
• Supports the individual fundraising efforts of SPCS operational units, including the SPCS Alumni Association Board and the SPCS Student Government Association (SGA)

Special Events and Activities

• Plans and manages special events with the Dean for volunteer groups
• Plans and manages special events and engagement opportunities for alumni and students
• Assists in planning and implementing other special events, including with SGA, SPCS Alumni Association, Career Services, and SPCS faculty and staff to support external relations
• Works with the staff at University Alumni Relations to support SPCS alumni events at Reunion and Homecoming
• Plans and manages onboarding activities and events for volunteer groups

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strategic skills in external relations, sales and partnership development
• Knowledge of best practices in fundraising, including annual fund, major gifts and planned giving
• Ability to plan, organize and implement special events
• Strategic budget planning expertise and ability to monitor income and expenditures
• Innovative and independent work skills
• Abilities in marketing as well as written and verbal communications, including public speaking
• Supervisory experience in directing and coordinating work of others
• Understanding of the principles of adult education
• Technology skills in MS Office applications

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in external relations, partnership development, fundraising, special events and volunteer management
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in relevant field preferred

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, Exempt
• Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week

ABOUT UR:

At the University of Richmond, we’re creative, inclusive, and determined. We’re Spiders, and our mission is to create positive change in the UR community and beyond. Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. There’s only one place like Richmond.

UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE