Director of Alumni Affairs

The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business includes three schools: the School of Hotel Administration (SHA), the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management (Dyson), and the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management (Johnson). The college delivers undergraduate, graduate, and professional business programs and initiatives creating collaborative, comprehensive business management practices with roughly 240 faculty, 900 staff, more than 3,200 students, and over 40,000 alumni.

The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business seeks an experienced professional and innovator to lead alumni affairs. The director will report to the Assistant Dean, Alumni Affairs and Development and will lead a staff of four engagement officers. The director is an important partner across a multifaceted AA&D program within a complex institution. The director is responsible for identifying and implementing short and long-term goals related to engagement of alumni, parents, and friends by way of in person and digital engagement as well as volunteer opportunities. The successful candidate will be an innovative, strategic, creative and intellectually curious/broad thinker who has a demonstrated record of accomplishment of driving and inspiring a culture of engagement.

We are seeking someone who can:

• Demonstrate prior success in developing and executing engagement programs in a complex environment.
• Bring an in-depth understanding of large-scale advancement programs and the ability to integrate engagement strategies with program partners.
• Demonstrate success with management oversight, leadership, and direction to a diverse team. At least two years of significant supervisory experience. Possess a supportive and accessible management style, a proven ability to succeed in a matrix-based performance structure, and a strong commitment to personal and professional development for self and team members.
• Serve as a strong collaborator and contributor to the college AA&D team as well as the division of AA&D and the college. Within the college, the director will create strategic partnerships with various departments including but not limited to, faculty, admissions, career management, office of diversity and inclusion, student services, administrators, and the centers and institutes, to ensure a comprehensive approach to engagement customized by school.
• Demonstrate track record of managing complex relationships, proven collaboration and teamwork skills, and experience working with volunteers.
• Identify school and college priorities, implement a strategy that aligns with those priorities, and effectively communicate to direct reports, volunteers, alumni, parents, and key constituents.
• Administer metrics aligned with the AA&D division and the college to assess impact and success of engagement.
• Plan, implement, and direct both traditional and non-traditional alumni programs, including but not limited to major on-campus, regional, international, and digital events. Engagement opportunities will vary by school, but will focus on the entire alumni lifecycle.
• Serve as the chief collaborator and director of multiple alumni boards.
• Demonstrate success in creating and managing significant budgetary resources as well as experience working directly with senior levels of the organization.
• Oversee the health of alumni data, including an alumni database and consistent and direct outreach.
• Take initiative and manage multiple projects independently and simultaneously with excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrate strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to appropriately handle highly confidential and sensitive information and exercise sound judgment, tact, and discretion.
• Receive feedback with diplomacy, empathy, and confidence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with five or more years of experience in alumni affairs, development, public affairs or communications, preferably in higher education, or with equivalent transferrable skills.
• Demonstrated supervision and management skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to understand and advocate for the importance of higher education at a large complex private institution.
• Must have strong computer software skills including MS Office, excel, powerpoint databases and networked information systems.
• Must have excellent analytic skills to ensure data-driven results.
• Must be able to work in a team-based environment and have the ability to direct and motivate staff and volunteers.
• Poses a basic understanding of the concepts and principles of fundraising.
• Must be able and willing to work occasional weekends, evenings, and travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with People Soft and tableau reporting.
• Experience within a large complex institution in the field of Alumni Affairs and Development.
• Master's Degree or equivalent.

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