Summary
Description
Position Emphasis:
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) is seeking a collaborative and innovative Managing Director of Alumni Relations to join their team. The Alumni Relations team at CU Anschutz is centralized under the Office of Advancement and manages the alumni relations programs for CU Anschutz, CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CU Physical Therapy program, CU Child Health Assistant/Physician Assistant program, CU College of Nursing, CU School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health, and the CU School of Dental Medicine.
Reporting to the Executive Strategist for Institutional Engagement, this position will strategically lead alumni relations for CU Anschutz, CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CU College of Nursing, Colorado School of Public Health, and the CU School of Dental Medicine, including the program managers and the centralized alumni services positions (currently 7 FTE). This role will be responsible for enhancing and evaluating programs designed to foster effective communications, increase support for CU Anschutz and encourage involvement of alumni, in the life of the university.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy & Leadership – 30%:
- Set strategic direction for centralized and unit-based alumni relations programs.
- Define measures of success and effectiveness for all encompassing alumni relations programs.
- Prepare and supervise the Alumni Relations budget.
- Develop and set annual alumni relations program budget designed for program success
- Submit formal request and secure annual financial support from seven different programs.
- Advise on budget and strategy for supported units
- Track program spending to keep units accountable
- Responsible for hiring, onboarding, professional growth setting, compensation recommendations, and performance management
- Manage alumni relations team as outlined below, including performance evaluations, mentorship/coaching, and performance management issues.
Oversee the Alumni Relations Programs outside of the School of Medicine (25%)
- Lead the alumni relations program managers for CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CU College of Nursing, Colorado School of Public Health, and the CU School of Dental Medicine and oversee the strategy and direction of these alumni relations programs.
- Monitor and evaluate the strategic plans of each program under its reporting line for alumni relations.
- Partner on and evaluate alumni fundraising efforts in cooperation with the philanthropic growth team; collaborate closely with development colleagues in increasing support from alumni; routinely identify and qualify alumni prospects for gifts; work closely with annual giving on planning and segmentation strategy.
- Oversee clear goals, metrics, strategies, activities and programs that enable the alumni to engage individually and collectively with the related health professional schools.
Oversee the Alumni Relations Centralized Services Positions (25%)
- Role oversees and provides forward-thinking leadership to the alumni relations centralized services team which includes event coordinator, digital marketing specialist, and administrative assistants.
- Provide strategic direction and goals to support the success of these positions and the programs that they support.
- Goal setting and performance management.
Lead the Campus Level Alumni Relations Program (15%)
- Serve as program lead for the CU Anschutz alumni relations program with a focus on programming that complements the programs offered at school, college or program level.
- Build, strengthen and nurture the campus level outreach efforts and garner private and public support for the campus.
- Plan, implement, promote and evaluate programs to engage students, new alumni and current non-involved alumni.
- Maintain regular communication with alumni via direct contact, email blasts, newsletters, alumni web pages, and print publications.
- Goal setting and performance management.
Other Duties (5%)
- Serve as a member of the CU Anschutz Alumni team, participating in campus activities and events as needed
- Perform various other duties or tasks as assigned and/or needed.
Work Location:
Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 1-3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.
Why Join Us:
Philanthropy brings people together; it’s a driving force in accelerating the pace of discovery, attracting and retaining excellent students and faculty, and delivering world-class prevention and care.
At the Office of Advancement at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, we put our passions to work.
We have the privilege to collaborate with people who want to make a difference in the world – people who want to make an impact on humanity that may be felt long after they have passed. Our office exists to ensure stakeholders within and outside the university know, value, and support the important work being done on this academic medical campus.
Why work for the University?
We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:
- Medical: Multiple plan options
- Dental: Multiple plan options
- Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
- Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
- Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
- Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
- Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
- Holiday Days: 10/year
- Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
- ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service
There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
- 8-10 years of professional alumni relations experience or experience in related fields like nonprofit administration, public affairs, or business development.
- 1 year of direct supervision experience
A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate work in related field.
- Minimum of ten years of top level alumni relations experience and/or relevant experience in Advancement roles, the nonprofit sector, sales, public relations and/or marketing.
- Experience with a graduate medical campus.
- At least five years of experience overseeing or providing senior leadership to an alumni relations program in a university or college.
- Experience in practices and procedures associated with building and maintaining effective alumni engagement programs in a health sciences setting.
- Experience managing budgets.
- Experience with board leadership and development.
- At least 5 years supervisory or management experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Unique interests of this alumni population.
- Evidence of desire and ability to build partnerships and effectively interact with diverse constituencies.
- A strategic and tactical thinker, capable of advancing an idea from conceptualization to completion while navigating the challenges and complexities inherent at a large academic institution.
- Ability to understand and navigate the political climate of higher education.
- Strong leader, manager and mentor who can motivate and inspire her/his team.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships. Must be willing and able to function as a team player, both within Advancement and with other key internal stakeholders (e.g., career services, faculty, volunteers).
- Gifted communicator, both verbally and in writing. A persuasive writer who is equally capable as the primary author or as editor.
- Proven ability to organize and manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, to work independently and collaboratively, and to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
- Expertise in best practices in alumni relations in higher education.
- Personal computer proficiency required, Microsoft Office and donor/CRM software. Computer skills may be subject to testing and verification
Conditions of Employment:
- Able to travel up to 10% of time.
- Available for some evenings and weekends when required for events and board meetings
How to Apply:
For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):
1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position (only use if a cover letter is necessary)
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address
Questions should be directed to: Shannon Palombi, Shannon.Palombi@cuanschutz.edu
Screening of Applications Begins:
Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by June 16, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.
Anticipated Pay Range:
The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as:
$105,000 to $120,000/year FT
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
