Category:: Professional
Department:: Office of Alumni Engagement
Locations:: Binghamton, NY
Posted:: Nov 15, 2021
Closes:: Open Until Filled
Type:: Full-time
Ref. No.:: 08601
Position ID:: 139384

About Binghamton University:

Binghamton University is a world-class institution that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by outstanding academics, facilities and community life - promotes extraordinary student success.

Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000 students. The high-achieving Binghamton student body also represents a great diversity of life experiences, from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration and community service.

Job Description:

Budget Title: Director (SL-6)

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Binghamton University seeks a strategic, dynamic and collaborative leader to serve as its next Executive Director of the Office of Alumni Relations. The Executive Director, a senior member of the Advancement team, reports to the Vice President for Advancement and is responsible for directing and executing Binghamton's overall Alumni Relations program, which engages a global constituency of 140,000 alumni with students, faculty and staff. This position leads a team of 5 employees, oversees an operating budget of $1.5 million and is charged with supporting the vision for programming and constituent engagement in partnership with a university-wide fund raising campaign which will be publicly launched in spring 2022.

The Executive Director will work in partnership with Binghamton University Alumni Board (BUAA), utilizing the Binghamton University Alumni Association's strategic plan to develop volunteer resources, training events, appropriate policies and procedures, and to support the creation of effective and visionary initiatives in support of our engagement goals. The successful candidate must have the ability to drive and coordinate the core strategy across our global alumni network and the University and ensure a consistent message.

An ideal candidate for the role will bring at least 5 years of relevant experience in Alumni Relations programs recognized for their strength and effectiveness, and a demonstrated track record in building strong volunteer partnerships. Additional experience in development or general advancement would be ideal. The Executive Director will have the personal warmth, charisma and confidence needed to serve as a key liaison between a leading university and its accomplished and diverse alumni population. Creativity and energy to generate new ideas, and the skill to influence opinions and decision-making in a complex university setting are essential. The Executive Director will be guiding a data-driven program, so analytical, organizational and decision-making skills with follow-up abilities are essential, along with a strategic, goal-oriented approach to work.

Senior Leadership

Serve as a senior member of the Advancement staff, and provide leadership and mentoring to staff, colleagues, and partners in our work. Set the tone for the philosophy, strategy and direction for our engagement programs.

Work closely with the Vice President for Advancement and staff to coordinate and leverage engagement programs and communications to complement the university's development priorities and initiatives in the current campaign.

Build strong personal relationships with alumni and throughout the university community and serve as an ambassador for and advocate and spokesperson for Binghamton University.

Serve as a member of the Advancement senior leadership team, working closely with the Vice President for Advancement and other department heads on strategic management and leadership issues within the division and the university community.

Provide leadership and coordination between OAE and school and unit engagement activities to effectively leverage and harness the combined strengths and reach of these programs. Manage campus partnerships with areas such as admissions and the Fleishman Career Center to find mutually supportive ways to engage volunteers and students in University programs.

Staff and Program Management

Directly manage a staff of 5 employees who oversee OAE programs and are responsible for the development and implementation of alumni programming that will increase the number of alumni connected with Binghamton in a meaningful way.

BUAA Support and other Volunteer Engagement

Provide direct support and leadership for the BUAA, and partner with the nominations committee to identify and develop alumni volunteers and leaders who represent the full spectrum of our overall alumni body and have roles of meaningful alumni participation.

Partner with the BUAA to identify, recruit, train, and support the extensive network of alumni volunteers working on behalf of OAE programs. Engage leaders in effective strategies to maximize their potential and focus their talents for Binghamton.

Partner with the staff and BUAA to establish annual goals for each committee, monitor results and provide feedback as appropriate.

Strategic Planning and Program Development

Provide strategic direction and leadership to programs designed to reach and maximize the engagement of alumni with each other and Binghamton students, faculty and staff.

Work in partnership with the BUAA to execute the current strategic plan that guides goals and priorities for alumni and student programming.

Identify the points of evaluation, metrics, and analyses necessary for the assessment and management of alumni programs. Ensure review, reporting and analysis of programs at all levels in order to evaluate, strengthen and enhance existing programming, and develop and implement new programs and deliver relevant programs and services to alumni in return for their engagement.

Communications

Work with colleagues in University Communications to design, produce and evaluate an effective marketing plan for OAE programs to internal and external constituents.

Work in partnership with communications to develop and oversee the social media and web strategy for alumni engagement and ensure that it is focused on meaningful relationship building. Develop a plan for print production to supplement virtual materials to ensure a comprehensive coverage of the community, particularly those that do not have e-mail.

In partnership with the advancement communication manager, create an e-News communication strategy for parents, donors and alumni that promotes OAE and BUAA activities, along with other key messages from Advancement and the University.

Monitor and evaluate communications, including coding and tracking of communication touches and their impact on engagement. Provide monthly reports for staff and key volunteers.

Coordinate Signature Awards Ceremony

Based on the BUAA strategic plan, develop a strategy for alumni awards and recognition programming for members of the Binghamton community. Partner with colleagues in Advancement and across campus to have an appropriate mix of candidates nominated and recognized each year, and to ensure program and activity goals are met.

Budget Operations

Serve as the key point of review and approval for budgets. Monitor budgets; provide ROI and other analysis as requested.

Prepare and distribute reports for the alumni board, executive committee, finance committee, regional chapters and other committees as requested. Provide statistical information to staff and volunteers as requested.

Requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree and at least five years of relevant experience in alumni relations programs with demonstrated success in developing alumni relations and/or general advancement programs, and thoughtful management of budgets and resources. An in-depth understanding of advancement and development programs in a large-university setting, and the ability to integrate alumni relations programs with the university's development priorities and initiatives is highly preferred.
• Demonstrate the personal warmth, charisma, and cultural sensitivity and effective public speaking skills required to effectively represent Binghamton to our diverse community of alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Possess a high degree of personal integrity and a commitment to values that support Binghamton's mission.
• Have experience in developing communications strategy and plans, conversant with relevant technologies and how they can be used in support of communicating and marketing alumni programs, engaging alumni and encouraging participation in networking and alumni programming, and managing and measuring results.
• Possess a supportive and accessible management style, the ability to lead and motivate staff and to encourage growth in both people and programs.
• Have proven experience working with volunteers, the ability to manage complex relationships, and proven collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Have demonstrated the ability to execute a strategic plan effectively, with monitoring and evaluation of progress.
• Be willing to travel extensively on behalf of the University, to maintain a high level of visibility with our alumni population, and to participate regularly in alumni events and activities.

Additional Information:

Offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov

Payroll information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/

Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."

Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.

For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit:
https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.html

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.

Application Instructions:

Lindauer, the global search and talent firm, has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Binghamton University, consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled.

Inquiries, communications and nominations concerning this search should be directed to Maureen Huminik, Vice President mhuminik@lindauerglobal.com or Tensie J. Taylor, Consultant, ttaylor@lindauerglobal.com.

Lindauer does verify academic credentials for its candidates, and our clients frequently conduct background checks prior to finalizing an offer.

Persons interested in this position should apply online. Prior to submitting your application materials for this position, please read it over for accuracy.

Applicants must submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter.

You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.