Associate Director of Engagement & Donor Relations

Auburn

$60,630 - $109,130

United States, Alabama, Auburn

1550 East Glenn Avenue (Show on map)

Mar 27, 2025

Position Details

Position Information

Requisition Number	S4360P
Home Org Name	Business Constituency Adv
Division Name	Senior VP, Advancement
Position Title	Associate Director of Engagement & Donor Relations
Job Class Code	OA39
Appointment Status	Full-time
Part-time FTE
Limited Term	No
Limited Term Length
Job Summary	Auburn Advancement and the Harbert College of Business is excited to begin the search for a Associate Director of Engagement & Donor Relations to join our philanthropy team! This position is vital in building lasting relationships and securing the resources needed to support Auburn Advancement and Auburn University's philanthropic mission. What You'll Do: Strategic Planning & Oversight: Assist in developing and executing strategic initiatives to enhance alumni engagement and donor relations. This includes collaborating with leadership to ensure that programs and events align with the college's mission and contribute to long-term success. Event & Program Management: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Engagement and Donor Relations team, ensuring the successful planning, execution, and evaluation of alumni and donor events. By fostering collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, the candidate will support seamless event coordination and implementation. Alumni Council Development: Support the Senior Director and Dean in the creation and management of Alumni Council programming. This includes organizing meetings, coordinating initiatives, and ensuring engagement opportunities align with the overall goals of the college and Advancement. Data Analysis & Reporting: Lead efforts to collect, analyze, and interpret data to guide strategic decision-making. By developing key performance benchmarks, the person will help measure the effectiveness of engagement and donor programs, providing insights to leadership for continuous improvement. Communications & Materials Development: Contribute to and oversee the creation of reports, presentations, and other materials for key stakeholders, ensuring data accuracy and consistency. By streamlining reporting processes, the person will enhance communication efficiency within the department. Team Leadership & Performance Management: Supervise full-time employees, students, and interns, ensuring professional development and effective team performance. Conducting regular evaluations, the person will support staff in meeting strategic objectives and aligning their work with the department's goals. Stewardship and Engagement: Show gratitude for donations through personalized acknowledgements, and keep donors informed and involved by attending events and maintaining regular contact. Ensure donors feel valued and connected to the impact of their gifts. Champion Philanthropy: Impact a culture of giving for Auburn University, encouraging alumni and stakeholders to support the university's mission and vision. Foster a sense of pride and ownership among donors, showcasing the transformative impact their gifts have on Auburn's future. Why You'll Love It Here: Impactful Work: Your efforts will directly contribute to the growth and success of Auburn University and its priorities. Collaborative Environment: Join a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to making a difference. Purpose Driven Work: Align your passion and fulfillment to your work, where you're trusted to reach your full potential and achieve your pinnacle career experience. Culture by Design: Thrive in a culture that champions respect, accountability, and professional development. Now is the perfect time to join Auburn Advancement, a dynamic team encompassing Operations and Strategy, Culture and Talent, Engagement, Philanthropy, and Communications. Under the visionary leadership of Senior Vice President Rob Wellbaum - a seasoned and respected advancement professional - our organization is set to revolutionize the future of Advancement. Auburn University Libraries is a dynamic hub for learning, teaching, and research, offering extensive collections, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional support to the Auburn Family. The Harbert College of Business at Auburn University is a nationally recognized leader in business education, dedicated to producing highly sought-after graduates and advancing business thought through transformative research and strategic partnerships. Entering an exciting period of growth and innovation, the College of Business is expanding its emphasis on external engagement, high-impact learning opportunities, global initiatives, and lifelong learning. With world-class faculty and leadership, the College of Business is committed to delivering an elevated Auburn experience, fostering meaningful industry connections, and driving sustainable business practices. Passionate about shaping the future of business education and making a lasting impact, the College of Business is dedicated to developing the next generation of business leaders.
Essential Functions	Purpose: Play a vital role in advancing the mission of Harbert College by providing strategic direction, oversight, and leadership for alumni engagement and donor relations. This position ensures that programs and events effectively foster meaningful connections between alumni, students, and donors while supporting the college's broader development and stewardship efforts. By creating impactful experiences and initiatives, this role enhances the college's reputation, strengthens alumni loyalty, and cultivates long-term donor relationships. Collaboration: Build and maintain strong collaborative partnerships across multiple teams and stakeholders. The Associate Director works closely with the Senior Director of Development, Central Engagement and Donor Relations teams, the College Events team, and departmental event coordinators to align efforts and create cohesive engagement strategies. Additionally, this position supports the Senior Director and Dean in developing Alumni Council programming, ensuring that key stakeholders remain involved in the college's initiatives. Supervising full-time employees, students, and interns, the Associate Director fosters a team-oriented culture that prioritizes efficiency, communication, and shared success. Innovation: Demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to engagement and donor relations. The Associate Director leads efforts to collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform decision-making, ensuring that programs and events remain relevant and effective. By developing benchmark criteria, they measure the efficiency of alumni and donor initiatives and refine strategies to enhance engagement. Additionally, the Associate Director ensures that reports, presentations, and communication materials are designed with accuracy and consistency, streamlining processes for optimal impact. Through creative problem-solving and strategic vision, they drive continuous improvement in engagement and stewardship efforts. Production: Oversee the execution of engagement and donor relations activities, ensuring that all programs, events, and initiatives are implemented successfully. This includes managing budgets, ensuring timely reporting, and evaluating the effectiveness of alumni and donor programs. Given the externally focused nature of this position, the Associate Director must operate autonomously, frequently traveling and attending meetings beyond traditional business hours. Through careful planning, execution, and performance management, they contribute to the overall success of alumni engagement and donor relations at Harbert College.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's Degree with no specific discipline and 5 years of experience in donor relations, ] alumni engagement, external relations, event management, or a related field that involves building relationships with key stakeholders.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications

Minimum Skills and Abilities
Minimum Technology Skills
Minimum License and Certifications

Desired Qualifications

Desired Qualifications	Knowledge of various marketing and communications theories, concepts, techniques, mediums, and strategies, basic accounting and budgeting principles. Ability to lead through influence and partnerships. Strong interpersonal skills, ability to develop strategic marketing plans within university settings Ability to lead teams through influence and partnership.

Posting Detail Information

Salary Range	$60,630 - $109,130
Job Category	Development/Alumni Affairs
Working Hours if Non-Traditional
City position is located in:	Auburn
State position is located:	Alabama
List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position
Posting Date	03/27/2025
Closing Date
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement	It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. The Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance ( EOC) strives to ensure an inclusive and equitable working, living, and learning environment for members of the Auburn University community. Please visit their website to learn more.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Quick Link for Internal Postings	https://www.auemployment.com/postings/51992