Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/16

Northwestern University has partnered with Aspen Leadership Group in the search for an Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association. You may view the position prospectus or submit an application via this link: .

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development, the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will provide strategic direction and leadership for the Northwestern Alumni Association, focusing on the continued refinement and implementation of the Alumni Association's strategic vision through programs, initiatives, and events that facilitate the growth in breadth and depth of alumni engagement. In this highly visible and critical role, the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will be both internally and externally facing and will cultivate strong relationships with alumni, volunteers, and administrators and faculty across the University. The Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will collaborate with Alumni Relations and Development colleagues, including those in the professional schools, to support the overall Alumni Relations and Development goals. Acting as an ambassador for Northwestern University and the Northwestern Alumni Association, the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will represent the University and Alumni Association at events and serve as an ex-officio member of the Northwestern Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Please note: This position requires frequent travel to visit with alumni and attend events nationally.

Specific Responsibilities:

Alumni Community Engagement

* The Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association will

* cultivate a global alumni community that feels empowered, connected, and engaged through every stage of life;

* guide meaningful engagement of alumni on Northwestern's campuses and around the world through programs, events, communications, and outreach efforts;

* foster an inclusive community where all alumni feel they belong;

* bolster engagement of alumni who live outside the U.S.;

* develop and market programming that creates interaction and engagement around the University's strategic priorities as well as the interests and passions of Northwestern alumni;

* partner with Alumni Relations and Development's Marketing and Communications team to create effective communications for alumni and volunteers;

* work with Alumni Relations and Development analytics colleagues to deepen the understanding of the demographics, perceptions, needs, and behaviors of alumni, through an annual "pulse" survey and other market research efforts;

* lead the development of alumni segmentation strategies to make programming and communications more personalized and targeted;

* participate as a leader in the roll out of Alumni Relations and Development's new CRM (built on the Salesforce platform) and craft approaches for optimizing the new system to drive increased engagement; and

* serve as an ambassador for the University and the Alumni Association and speak at University and alumni events.

Collaboration

* The Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association will

* collaborate closely with Alumni Relations and Development colleagues as well as with administrators and faculty across the University;

* foster strong relationships for the Alumni Association with key units across the University, including Northwestern colleges and schools, Northwestern Career Advancement, Division of Student Affairs, Office of Undergraduate Admission, Athletics and Recreation, and other stakeholders; and

* represent the Alumni Association and Alumni Relations and Development on University committees and act as a unifier for alumni relations initiatives across the University.

Volunteer Engagement

* The Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association will

* develop and implement an overall strategy for volunteer recruitment, pathways, recognition, and training, including the annual Northwestern Leadership Symposium;

* serve as Secretary and Treasurer of the Northwestern Alumni Association Board of Directors and partner with Board members in shaping the Alumni Association's vision, strategic direction, and priorities;

* provide support for Alumni Association Board member recruitment and stewardship efforts;

* cultivate a robust pipeline of alumni for volunteer opportunities, ensuring that the volunteer community reflects the diversity of Northwestern's alumni population; and

* partner with Alumni Relations and Development colleagues to create metrics and analytics that present a comprehensive view of volunteer engagement.

Strategic Planning

* The Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association will

* lead the implementation of the Northwestern Alumni Association's strategic vision, which outlines a multi-year roadmap to cultivate a more engaged alumni community;

* develop and implement innovative strategies and programs that inspire Northwestern alumni intellectually, socially, and professionally;

* broaden the Alumni Association's outreach, particularly to alumni segments that have not been as intentionally engaged;

* set measurable goals and outcomes for the Alumni Association and assess progress toward goals;

* lead the Alumni Association team in using data and analytics to measure the effectiveness of existing programs while identifying opportunities for new initiatives that will resonate with alumni;

* benchmark with peer institutions and identify best practices to engage alumni in ways that are true to Northwestern;

* serve as a key stakeholder in developing the overall strategic direction of Alumni Relations and Development; and

* ensure that the Alumni Association's strategies and programs are aligned with the University's priorities and complement and support the goals and strategies of Alumni Relations and Development.

Administration

* The Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association will

* lead a team of alumni relations professionals who are talented, hardworking, and dedicated to Northwestern's mission;

* recruit, retain, coach, and develop Alumni Association team members;

* develop and evaluate well-defined individual and team metrics and goals, creating and sustaining a culture of excellence and professional growth;

* provide clear direction and oversight;

* foster a team environment that inspires, recognizes, and rewards high-performance, promotes innovation, encourages teamwork, and values diversity, equity, and inclusion;

* lead by example through the demonstration of collegiality, creative problem solving, and cross-organizational collaboration;

* establish efficient processes that enhance operations, productivity, and impact; and

* manage budgets and resources for the Alumni Association, continually evaluating for maximum results and cost effectiveness.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

* 10 years of experience leading a successful alumni relations, advancement, or similar engagement program.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

* Team leadership

* Strong communicator

* Analytical thinking, complex problem solving and planning

* Global/organizational perspective

* Ability to work in fast-paced environment

* Comfortable with change and associated ambiguity

Preferred Qualifications:

* Advanced degree desirable.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

* A commitment to the mission of Northwestern University-excellent teaching, innovative research, and the personal and intellectual growth of its students in a diverse academic community;

* An understanding of the dynamics and interconnectedness of university and alumni group relationships;

* Extensive volunteer management and leadership experience as well as an ability to maximize collaboration between alumni partners and university leadership;

* Success leading an engagement program in a large, complex organization;

* Experience recruiting, coaching, and inspiring teams to implement a strategic vision and meet aspirational quantitative and qualitative outcomes;

* The stature, credibility, and collaborative skills needed to build and sustain effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels of Alumni Relations and Development, as well as with volunteers and key partners across the University;

* Experience working with international alumni and engaging large overseas communities;

* Exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to connect with a diverse community of alumni;

* Outstanding written and oral communication skills as well as effective public speaking skills;

* Extensive experience working with volunteers and boards;

* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;

* An ability to analyze data, think strategically, and act decisively;

* Experience fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment;

* Knowledge of best practices, emerging issues, trends, and opportunities in alumni relations; and

* Exceptional discretion, judgment, and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $220,000-$240,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
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We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
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