Case Western Reserve University
Senior Director Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, us, 44101
Senior Director Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations
Case Western Reserve University is seeking the Senior Director Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations. The role provides vision and leadership for developing and implementing a comprehensive donor and alumni engagement program that delivers meaningful opportunities for connection, recognition, service, and personal and professional development for donors, alumni, and key families/parents. The incumbent will develop an overall, best-in-class donor engagement program for the College of Arts and Sciences, expand and elevate these programs, set annual and long-term goals, and create strategies to engage and retain donors through strategic communication, acknowledgement, engagement, recognition, stewardship, and reporting. The senior director will supervise relevant staff and manage Homecoming and Reunion activities including a Special Gifts Program for the 50th Reunion class, overseeing a portfolio of 150+ top prospects/donors. The role uses data-driven practices to generate affinity intelligence to drive strategy and programming. As a member of the Development and External Relations leadership team, you will collaborate with the Dean of the College, the Vice Dean for Development and External Relations, the Executive Director, frontline fundraising staff, and other university colleagues to recruit and retain donors through innovative strategic initiatives. You will leverage campus and community partnerships to increase engagement opportunities and foster collaboration across corporate, career, executive education, and workplace-facing staff. You will engage donor and alumni connections around interdisciplinary academic areas, cross-functional initiatives, and social causes aligned with college priorities, while supervising staff including the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Stewardship and the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Coordinator. Essential Functions Provide vision, direction, leadership, and oversight for all donor engagement activities of the college, including strategic direction for donor acquisition, engagement, solicitation, and retention. Develop and execute signature initiatives, including acknowledgement, event management, stewardship, and recognition, to raise visibility locally, nationally, and internationally. Focus on reunion class giving and collaborate with the College of Arts and Sciences fundraising team to align goals and programmatic efforts. Oversee recognition societies outreach, including planned giving and loyal donors. Supervise the Assistant Director of Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations and Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Coordinator. Manage and direct the college's alumni relations program in partnership with central University Development and Relations. Develop activities and solicitation plans for the 50th Reunion and other alumni groups, identify and cultivate volunteer leadership, and coordinate marketing efforts for alumni affinity programs. Serve as liaison to the Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University and collaborate to engage alumni, donors, and friends. Engage donors and alumni through consistent, high-quality communication, exceptional service, and meaningful opportunities for recognition, volunteerism, service, and development. Develop and implement organizational and strategic communication plans aligned with institutional goals. Oversee and approve creation of informational and promotional materials for top donors. Serve as the development team's primary liaison to University Marketing and Communications. Nonessential Functions
Develop and manage a volunteer management system to engage major gift donors ($100,000+) in meaningful opportunities and university activities. Create and distribute awards recognizing outstanding alumni achievement and engagement, and align with social media and communications plans related to awards. Develop and manage budgets for alumni events and activities, including expenditure planning and approval. Foster collaborative relationships with other university units (Alumni Relations, Admissions, Career Services, Parent and Family Programs, Athletics, Student Affairs, and more) to expand opportunities for donor and alumni engagement and create new opportunities where needed. Perform other duties as assigned by the dean and vice dean for development and external relations. Qualifications Experience:
7+ years of progressive experience in alumni and donor relations or related fields, with demonstrated creativity, strong communication and writing skills, and a track record of increasing revenue and engagement. 5+ years of staff management preferred. Education/Licensing:
Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in business/strategic planning strongly desired. Required Skills: Experience establishing engagement and fundraising priorities and strategies, leading a team in cultivation and solicitation of major gifts, including gifts of $100,000 and above. Strong verbal and written communication skills; public speaking preferred; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to produce error-free written communications; demonstrated ability to motivate volunteers; cultural awareness and inclusion. High attention to detail; budget awareness and prioritization skills; sound judgment in achieving organizational goals. Computer literacy, including word processing and databases. Commitment to student-focused values and adherence to university policies on conflict of interest. Regular attendance and ability to interact effectively with colleagues, supervisors, and constituents. Working Conditions General office environment. Travel and attendance at evening and weekend events may be required. The position is eligible for a hybrid work program (up to two remote days per week, at department discretion). New employees may begin hybrid scheduling upon approval and orientation completion. The university is an equal opportunity employer and supports reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For accommodations contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066. Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Job function Business Development and Sales Industries Higher Education
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Case Western Reserve University is seeking the Senior Director Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations. The role provides vision and leadership for developing and implementing a comprehensive donor and alumni engagement program that delivers meaningful opportunities for connection, recognition, service, and personal and professional development for donors, alumni, and key families/parents. The incumbent will develop an overall, best-in-class donor engagement program for the College of Arts and Sciences, expand and elevate these programs, set annual and long-term goals, and create strategies to engage and retain donors through strategic communication, acknowledgement, engagement, recognition, stewardship, and reporting. The senior director will supervise relevant staff and manage Homecoming and Reunion activities including a Special Gifts Program for the 50th Reunion class, overseeing a portfolio of 150+ top prospects/donors. The role uses data-driven practices to generate affinity intelligence to drive strategy and programming. As a member of the Development and External Relations leadership team, you will collaborate with the Dean of the College, the Vice Dean for Development and External Relations, the Executive Director, frontline fundraising staff, and other university colleagues to recruit and retain donors through innovative strategic initiatives. You will leverage campus and community partnerships to increase engagement opportunities and foster collaboration across corporate, career, executive education, and workplace-facing staff. You will engage donor and alumni connections around interdisciplinary academic areas, cross-functional initiatives, and social causes aligned with college priorities, while supervising staff including the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Stewardship and the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Coordinator. Essential Functions Provide vision, direction, leadership, and oversight for all donor engagement activities of the college, including strategic direction for donor acquisition, engagement, solicitation, and retention. Develop and execute signature initiatives, including acknowledgement, event management, stewardship, and recognition, to raise visibility locally, nationally, and internationally. Focus on reunion class giving and collaborate with the College of Arts and Sciences fundraising team to align goals and programmatic efforts. Oversee recognition societies outreach, including planned giving and loyal donors. Supervise the Assistant Director of Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations and Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Coordinator. Manage and direct the college's alumni relations program in partnership with central University Development and Relations. Develop activities and solicitation plans for the 50th Reunion and other alumni groups, identify and cultivate volunteer leadership, and coordinate marketing efforts for alumni affinity programs. Serve as liaison to the Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University and collaborate to engage alumni, donors, and friends. Engage donors and alumni through consistent, high-quality communication, exceptional service, and meaningful opportunities for recognition, volunteerism, service, and development. Develop and implement organizational and strategic communication plans aligned with institutional goals. Oversee and approve creation of informational and promotional materials for top donors. Serve as the development team's primary liaison to University Marketing and Communications. Nonessential Functions
Develop and manage a volunteer management system to engage major gift donors ($100,000+) in meaningful opportunities and university activities. Create and distribute awards recognizing outstanding alumni achievement and engagement, and align with social media and communications plans related to awards. Develop and manage budgets for alumni events and activities, including expenditure planning and approval. Foster collaborative relationships with other university units (Alumni Relations, Admissions, Career Services, Parent and Family Programs, Athletics, Student Affairs, and more) to expand opportunities for donor and alumni engagement and create new opportunities where needed. Perform other duties as assigned by the dean and vice dean for development and external relations. Qualifications Experience:
7+ years of progressive experience in alumni and donor relations or related fields, with demonstrated creativity, strong communication and writing skills, and a track record of increasing revenue and engagement. 5+ years of staff management preferred. Education/Licensing:
Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in business/strategic planning strongly desired. Required Skills: Experience establishing engagement and fundraising priorities and strategies, leading a team in cultivation and solicitation of major gifts, including gifts of $100,000 and above. Strong verbal and written communication skills; public speaking preferred; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to produce error-free written communications; demonstrated ability to motivate volunteers; cultural awareness and inclusion. High attention to detail; budget awareness and prioritization skills; sound judgment in achieving organizational goals. Computer literacy, including word processing and databases. Commitment to student-focused values and adherence to university policies on conflict of interest. Regular attendance and ability to interact effectively with colleagues, supervisors, and constituents. Working Conditions General office environment. Travel and attendance at evening and weekend events may be required. The position is eligible for a hybrid work program (up to two remote days per week, at department discretion). New employees may begin hybrid scheduling upon approval and orientation completion. The university is an equal opportunity employer and supports reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For accommodations contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066. Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Job function Business Development and Sales Industries Higher Education
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