Office Of Alumni Relations Assistant Director Of Chapter Programming

Working Title: Office of Alumni Relations Assistant Director of Chapter Programming

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: Constituent Engagement and Sustained Giving

Department: 100247 - Alumni Relations

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Beginning Review Date: 06/12/2024

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

About JMU:

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Located in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Assistant Director for Chapter Programming is a staff member within the division of University Advancement with full-time responsibilities within the Office of Alumni Relations.

The position's core responsibilities include working with regional and affinity chapter leaders to ensure strong leadership teams are armed with the education and resources needed to recruit volunteers, plan events, and engage alumni of all ages. The Assistant Director for Chapter Programming will track volunteer engagement in the university's constituent database and will build a culture of philanthropy across the JMU alumni community. This position is expected to travel to visit chapter leaders and attend chapter events throughout the year.

The position's most critical requirements are strong project management skills, proven interpersonal and organizational skills and successful results within long and short-range plan implementation.

Experience in volunteer and relationship management, knowledge and awareness of best practices related to alumni engagement, and understanding of the overall Advancement process is preferred. Relevant transferable work experience will be considered.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Major Areas of Responsibility

1.Chapter Relationship Development and Management (40%)

• Maintain a robust, comprehensive volunteer recruitment, training, and stewardship program for new and existing chapter volunteers (chapter handbook, volunteer training opportunities, personal visits, etc.)

• Develop and maintain written and electronic communication to keep chapters updated on priorities, processes and procedures as related to the University and the JMU Alumni Association

• Develop and implement intentional strategies to increase the pipeline of volunteers in partnership with development efforts

• Create meaningful engagement points and develop regional strategies to grow an alum's connection to JMU to ultimately deliver a more participative relationship through their time, talents, treasure, testimony and ties

• Plan and implement and annual Madison Alumni Conference to steward and celebrate our alumni volunteers

• Develop an annual regional travel strategy for visiting leadership and supporting chapter events

2.Chapter operations and data management (40%)

• Maintain chapter pages on the alumni website

• Initiate and respond to communications for alumni and chapter volunteers related to chapter programming

• Create and build event registration pages

• Create and deploy monthly chapter emails on behalf of each of the chapters

• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the chapter email management process (list servs)

• Work closely with the office's fiscal tech to provide updates to the chapter on their operating budget balances

• Stay up-to-date on the policies and procedures around money handling and procurement to ensure chapters are making sound financial decisions.

• Maintain records of chapter event attendees and prepare event reports using the alumni database

• Contribute to alumni engagement tracking by creating timely contact reports of alumni volunteer interactions

3.Chapter Event Planning & Support (15%)

• Consult with chapters on event planning best practices and provide logistical support for large scale chapter events

• Work closely with the rest of the Alumni team on major alumni events and Marketing and incorporate chapter programming as relevant

• Work closely with campus partners to coordinate regional event logistics and share resources where applicable (e.g., CrabFest, Holiday Parties, etc.)

4.Function as a member of the Alumni Relations team (5%)

• Assist the Director of Alumni Relations and Assistant Vice President for Constituent Engagement in planning and implementing events and other initiatives based on the priorities of the university and JMU Alumni Association

• Attend department, unit and division meetings and events as requested

• Represent Alumni Relations and the JMU Alumni Association at University, community and professional functions, as requested

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree

• Ability to travel independently and represent the university at events

• Ability to work as a team member in a high-energy environment, along with proven skills of flexibility and adaptability to change

• Excellent organizational, written and interpersonal communication skills

• Willingness to develop an in-depth understanding of JMU and our alumni

• Possess a valid driver's license for a minimum of 24 consecutive months

• Able to lift 50 pounds with or without accommodation

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience working with volunteers and ability to work with a wide range of constituents

• Experience in project management and event planning

• Experience in philanthropy and donor management

• Knowledge of the JMU Community

• Ability to work within JMU Alumni Association and JMU Brands

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Additional Posting Information:

JMU's Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.