Associate Director of Events and Engagement

Department

Harris School Alumni Relations

About the Department

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what’s best for society—and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Alumni Relations, the Associate Director of Events and Engagement will lead new and innovative programming focused on the experience of Harris alumni and donors. The Associate Director will serve as an integral member of the Alumni Relations and Development team and will collaborate with a variety of research centers and initiatives to further the interests of public policy alumni. This individual will be responsible for the creation and logistics management of alumni and donor events, as well as developing and executing strategy for other lifelong learning and professional development opportunities for Harris alumni.

Harris Alumni Relations and Development is dedicated to building lifelong relationships to maximize the intellectual, social, professional, and financial engagement of all Harris Public Policy alumni, parents, and friends to advance the strategic objectives of the school. Our work has a transformative impact on Harris students and faculty, driving significant contributions of time, talent, and resources back to Harris.

Responsibilities

• Oversees a suite of large-scale alumni events, programs, and communications, including Harris Reunion Weekend, Harris Alumni Awards, class year and identity-based affinity programming and initiatives, and industry and career programs and initiatives.
• Organizes and executes high-quality events and programs that cater to alumni interests and drive engagement.
• Develops a calendar of programs that includes both in-person domestic and international events planned well in advance, as well as virtual events, that are topical and responsive to the news of the moment and the interests of alumni. Participates in the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of intellectual engagement programs. Identifies, cultivates, and recruits faculty and other high-level speakers for participation in intellectual engagement programming.
• Develops a calendar of programs that engages alumni in lifelong learning, career skills building, or professional development more broadly.
• Builds a plan to engage and connect alumni across industry and career focused groups based on certificate programs and policy area expertise.
• Leverages a variety of resources, including but not limited to colleagues, media resources, and other research, to develop and maintain a deep understanding of faculty research and University priorities, in order to create innovative and responsive programs.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with alumni, including managing a portfolio of alumni volunteers and Alumni Council members, leveraging their expertise and passion.
• Utilizes technology and social media platforms to enhance alumni communities, foster connections, and increase digital engagement of Harris alumni.
• Has a deep understanding of strategic planning, data management, the creation and tracking of metrics, and the creation and implementation of new constituent relations programs worldwide. Measures, tracks, and reports participation and success of initiatives.
• Creates and proposes budgets as outlined by project needs and objectives. Monitors revenue and expense performance; ensures adherence to determined budget requirements.
• Works to implement ideas for improvement as they are identified in addition to providing post-event feedback on turnout and vendor performance with direction from others.
• Works closely with the communications team to develop promotional materials and outreach strategies to cultivate audiences.
• Coordinates with colleagues in development to ensure accurate tracking for prospect development.
• Is part of the strategy of the Alumni Association in order to provide peerless service to alumni worldwide and develop lifelong relationships in a manner consistent with sound business practices and overarching University and development goals.
• Assists in leading and coordinating the planning, organization, and management of events, programs, and services designed to cultivate and maintain ties between the University of Chicago and key constituent groups. May assist in or individually create a marketing plan to maximize participation and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit management, event management, volunteer management, and/or alumni engagement, or similar professional work.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Skilled in email campaign programs, such as HubSpot, or similar event software.

• Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and CRM software such as Salesforce.

Preferred Competencies

• Oversee and direct highly detailed concurrent projects with competing priorities, in a time sensitive, efficient manner.

• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach to the job.

• Attention to detail, ability to work in complex environments, familiarity with data management tools a plus.

• Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills.

• Works independently exercising sound judgement, reasoning, and strong problem-solving skills.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Takes initiative, thinks creatively, and produces outcomes on own drive without detailed oversight.

• Manages stressful situations with diplomacy, tact, and good humor; possesses conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

• Demonstrates creation and implementation of results-oriented programs and initiatives to meet goals.

• Demonstrates experience in collaboration among colleagues and/or departments.

• A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work, 3 days in-person in Hyde Park

• Some evening and weekend work.

• Fast-paced environment.

 

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• 3 References Contact Information (required)

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $80,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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