Kenyon College is conducting a search for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Assistant Director for Student and Young Alumni Giving. The Assistant Director for Student and Young Alumni Giving will help develop and be primarily responsible for executing the Advancement division’s strategy as it relates to young alumni and student philanthropy. In cooperation with partners across the division and the College, this role is responsible for guiding the process by which students and young alumni learn about the importance of giving back to Kenyon and the impact their giving has on the life of the College.
Within the Advancement Division, this position's primary responsibilities are managing Student philanthropy efforts, supervising our student calling/outreach program, and overseeing the Senior Class Challenge, our senior class gift initiative. Within the first year, the successful candidate will oversee the transition of the College’s student call center into a student ambassador program that will support the Advancement division through fundraising and engagement as well as conduct student philanthropy education. Through the Senior Class Challenge the Assistant Director will work alongside the current senior class to set fundraising goals and create engagement opportunities throughout their final year at Kenyon. The successful candidate will join the Advancement young alumni team, which works collaboratively with other colleagues in the division to create programming, social media content, and messaging geared toward alumni of the last decade for engagement and fundraising purposes.
The ideal candidate will become fluent in the software platforms that are specific to the day-to-day operation of the Advancement division (Slate, VanillaSoft, GiveCampus), have an interest in data analytics as pertains to student and young alumni giving trends, and be excited to work in a flexible, hybrid work environment with amazing co-workers. This position offers competitive benefits, a hybrid work schedule and paid time off, including a generous holiday vacation schedule.
Essential Functions
- Oversee Student Philanthropy program: hiring, training, and managing students; working closely with division partners and outside vendors to create successful calling and texting efforts; thinking strategically about evolution of the program for engagement and fundraising efforts with alumni, parents, and students.
- Oversee Senior Class Challenge: planning and executing events for senior class with the goal of fundraising and philanthropy education, forming relationships with members of senior class and campus partners to successfully execute the Challenge.
- As a member of the Young Alumni Team, develop and help implement young alumni strategy and outreach in collaboration with partners on the Alumni and Parent Engagement team.
- Advance the College and division’s commitment to antiracism, focusing on recruiting and engaging a diverse constituency of young alumni volunteers.
- Gain proficiency in Kenyon’s software platforms as the division undergoes a transition to Slate as its main database.
- Provide support for annual giving days and take a lead role on any Young Alumni -specific crowdfunding campaigns.
- Provide other Annual Giving support as needed within your skill set (social media outreach, video and image creation/editing, pulling and maintenance of lists, etc.)
- Support Annual Giving team work such as participation in Kenyon Fund Executive Committee work, Class Agent lunch chats, and more.
Nonessential Functions
- Performs other duties and special projects as required as part of a collaborative and close-knit Annual Giving team within the Office of Advancement.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Success Factors
- Technologically savvy; ability to learn new software programs and interfaces quickly.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, student employees and volunteers.
- Be personable, open-minded, and possess a professional attitude.
- Possess strong organizational skills with the ability to manage large, time-sensitive projects while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and quality of work.
- Ability to develop new methods, adapt to the changing needs of the office, and establish appropriate procedures.
- Ability to meet deadlines under pressure; not easily frustrated.
Supervisor Responsibilities
- Hires, onboards and supervises the work of up to 20 student workers.
Working Conditions
- Typical office environment; must be able to use office equipment such as computer, printer, copier, etc.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.
- Hybrid work environment opportunities with the option to work remotely for part of the week during most of the calendar year.
- As currently structured, this role requires the flexibility to be on call during some evening hours (up until 9PM ET) during the work week while students are in session, as well as weekend work during 3-4 major on-campus events annually (Homecoming, Reunion, Family Weekend,etc.) and occasional travel.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferably from a liberal arts college with 1-2 years experience in non-profits, fund-raising, admissions, alumni relations, retail, hospitality or a related field.
- Demonstrated history of building relationships and/or experience working with a team.
- Demonstrated record of creative problem-solving with examples.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, necessary to articulate the vision and case of the College.
- Knowledge of database management systems, Google Suite/Microsoft Office and social media platforms.
- Strong commitment to liberal arts education.
Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.
Compensation and Benefits
Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 90% tuition waivers at eighteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.
We also offer health, dental and vision insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.
Kenyon is a unique place to live and work. To discover why it should be your next home, click here.
Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.