Associate Director, Alumni Engagement (Finance)
Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.
Position Summary:
The Associate Director, Alumni Engagement serves as a key liaison to the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) Board and manages all ARA Board-related programs, meetings, committees, and projects. This role is also responsible for volunteer engagement for Rice University, including data maintenance for all Rice University volunteer records and the volunteer website, phone number, and email. The Associate Director, Alumni Engagement reports to the Director, Alumni Engagement, works closely with the Executive Director of the ARA (Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations), and collaborates with the Alumni Networks and Alumni Programs teams to share ARA Board-related activities and volunteer updates. This position also works with the Communications and Data Services teams in the Development and Alumni Relations division, as well as the Events team, to ensure consistent ARA Board and volunteer communications and events.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a positive attitude and professional demeanor who can cultivate meaningful relationships while simultaneously coordinating multiple projects, displaying creativity and innovation.
Workplace Requirements:
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.
Must possess (or have the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver's license with no more than three moving violations and/or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree
- 2+ years of related professional experience in an administrative, customer service, or project management role
Skills:
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to cultivate and manage alumni volunteers
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Advanced data analysis skills
- Adept at problem-solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
- Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency with CRM or alumni engagement software, with an understanding of data management and privacy best practices
- Ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Preferences:
- 3+ years of related professional experience in an administrative, customer service, or project management role
- Experience working in alumni relations
- Experience working within a nonprofit or higher education environment
- Experience working with volunteers
- Experience with oversight or management of a board or committee
- Experience using Blackbaud CRM or a similar alumni/donor database system
- Strong working knowledge of personal computers in a Windows/PC environment
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and tactfully
- Strong focus on details and accuracy
- High level of maturity and emotional intelligence with the capability of exercising good judgment
Essential Functions:
- Develops, contacts, and maintains relationships with alumni, faculty, students, staff, and vendors
- Recruits faculty and volunteers to facilitate their participation in alumni programs and events
- Develops and implements a range of alumni events, programs, and services
- Coordinates operational and logistical planning of alumni events, activities, outreach efforts, and event registration
- Maintains calendars on events, including arranging meetings, travel, and document preparation
- Produces reports and analyzes the performance of alumni programs and services
- Recruits and oversees student workers and temporary/casual workers
- Provides supervision to staff who manage volunteer data
- Enhances the storytelling of all Rice volunteers through website updates, email marketing, and impact reports
- Acts as primary liaison between the ARA Board members and the Alumni Relations Office and serves as a point of contact for volunteerism
- Manages the organization and work of the ARA Board subcommittees and related events
- Manages the budget associated with the ARA Board and volunteer management expenses and facilitates the reimbursement process for ARA Board members
- Coordinates operational and logistical planning of ARA Board events, including ARA Board meetings, receptions, and other related activities, including the Laureates Awards Dinner
- Maintains and updates ARA Board membership and alumni volunteerism roles, events, and attendance within OwlConnect (CRM)
- Assists with special projects, including review and preparation of content for external communications to alumni (newsletter, website, etc.), and coordinates with staff as needed
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions:
- Prepare special analyses or work on special projects as requested
- Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers and volunteer-led projects
- This position may require travel and the ability to work nights and weekends as needed
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
