Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, DAR, Penn GSE

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, DAR, Penn GSE

Job Profile Title

Alumni Officer A

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director of Development Alumni Relations will play a key role in planning and implementing engagement initiatives and events for Penn GSE’s 21,000+ alumni and myriad supporters and partners. The Assistant Director will serve as the main point of contact for alumni and alumni-focused partners, leading and supporting initiatives that promote the mission of Penn GSE and foster fellowship among alumni, faculty, and students through targeted communication, programs, and opportunities designed to inform, engage, and steward alumni and friends.

Some pre-determined nights and weekends, as well as minor travel, will be required.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Outreach & Communication: Develop and implement a communication plan to reach all alumni through email and social media, as well as strategic outreach to segments of the community. Manage the School-wide alumni email account and respond to all alumni inquiries. Create and update collateral related to alumni events, benefits, and opportunities for print and virtual distribution. In coordination with the Director and the Associate Director for Annual Giving and Stewardship, support strategy to better engage and steward both alumni and non-alumni supporters and partners.

• Events: Plan and manage Penn GSE’s annual alumni events, including Homecoming and Alumni Weekend, as well as additional regional and virtual events throughout the year. Provide support for additional Development and Alumni Relations events as needed. Collaborate with strategic partners across the School to support events featuring and/or primary for Penn GSE alumni. Identify, support, and promote Penn Alumni events that are of interest to Penn GSE alumni.

• Engagement Initiatives & Data Integrity:  In partnership with the Director and key stakeholders at Penn GSE, develop, promote, and implement opportunities that improve and streamline the alumni experience across all programs, including the School’s executive-format programs. Help maintain the alumni database. Create and manage strategies that improve the quality of alumni employment data to best ensure that alumni receive information relevant to the interests.

• Partnerships: Cultivate working relationships with Penn GSE’s offices and programs to enrich and inform alumni engagement efforts (Office of Student Success, academic programs, Office of Career and Professional Development, etc.). As a member of the Development and Alumni Relations team, help identify and cultivate alumni able to serve as volunteers and/or supporters. Serve as liaison with Penn Alumni and others on campus to expand opportunities for Penn GSE alumni. 

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL:

• A Bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of experience in alumni relations, special events, student services, and/or development, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to compellingly communicate to a broad range of constituents. 
• Strong detail orientation and ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously within a timely manner.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to be a thoughtful and contributive team member. 

PREFERRED:

• Experience drafting and managing communication, including email marketing (e.g., newsletters) and social media.
• Background in Salesforce or other CRM platforms.
• Proven ability to build and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships with partners and colleagues to advance office mission.  

*All interested applicants must submit a cover letter, along with their resume, detailing their interest in the position.

Expected Base Salary: $55,000 - $60,000, commensurate with experience.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Graduate School of Education

Pay Range

$49,500.00 - $60,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay