Alumni Relations and Stewardship Officer

Summary

Job Category:
Development and Alumni Relations
Job Title:
Alumni Relations and Stewardship Officer
Job Category Definition:
This specialty is a support unit working in institutional advancement to support Penn State’s goals and mission. The unit consists of various offices working synergistically in two major functional areas, the Office of University Development and the Penn State Alumni Association. In concert with the colleges, campuses, and other units of the University, the Division of Development and Alumni Relations has responsibility for advancing the University’s overall mission of teaching, research, and outreach to alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations. This is done by informing alumni and other constituents about Penn State and involving them in the life of the University through effective communications, quality programs and services. In doing so, we strive to gain their support and encourage them to join in shaping Penn State’s future through fundraising campaigns, enhancing honors education, enriching the student experience, fostering discovery and creativity, sustaining a tradition of quality, and building faculty strength and capacity. The division’s mandate is to generate among key constituencies the attitudinal, financial, and behavioral support needed to realize the University’s goals and objectives.
Job Title Definition:
The Alumni Relations and Stewardship Officer works closely with the Development Office within an assigned college or campus and is responsible for the oversight and management of the alumni relations and/or stewardship program for that assigned college or unit; provides oversight and management for marketing and communications efforts and special events and programming related to alumni relations and/or stewardship program; identifies, recruits and manages alumni volunteers to serve on Boards and Committees; provides professional guidance and leadership to volunteers and other advancement staff in order to develop and execute strategies and programs to deliver high quality alumni relations programming; works collaboratively with the head of the academic unit, development, trained committee volunteers, the Alumni Association and/or central University Development staff to maximize stewardship and alumni relations success for the University; works to engage department heads, faculty, staff, and volunteers in alumni relations and stewardship activities. Duties are performed at the various levels within the defined category.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0601 H Non-Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline working knowledge of routine work applications; follow standard principles and systems and use appropriate terminology associated with a particular field of specialization; participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under direct and frequent supervision while performing routine duties using established procedures with detailed instructions.

Typical Education & Experience

0+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide assistance in the development, implementation, and coordination of alumni programs and services; and for assisting/staffing the various activities in support of these programs
  • Provide support to assigned boards and committees; plan and attend meetings; maintain financial information for assigned college or campus
  • May help recruit, maintain, and manage volunteers
  • May assist in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting alumni and other potential donors for the assigned college or campus
  • Participate in the monitoring and analysis of programs; identify program needs and areas for improvement
  • Assist in the planning, publicizing and coordination of special events and alumni activities
  • Maintain records and files; provide support with scheduling and correspondence
  • Supervise selected alumni/stewardship processes and systems
  • May write and edit related publications/newsletters/proposals
  • Assist with the preparation, production, and distribution of the annual stewardship reports sent to endowment donors and serving as a key point person for eSteward, stewardship and endowment related inquiries

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0602 I Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Plan, develop, and coordinate programs and some special events; provide staffing assistance
  • Act as liaison on behalf of the assigned college or campus for internal/external constituencies
  • Analyze the effectiveness of programs and events; recommend improvements or new creative strategies
  • Revise and update existing programs; recommend new programs and services
  • Assist in the design, development, and production of communication tools such as invitations, agendas, proposals, publications, and programs
  • Work with committees and boards within the college or campus they support, to plan and implement alumni and/or stewardship activities (or advancement activities in general)
  • Maintain records and files as needed
  • Coordinate endowment management efforts and serve as the stewardship (eSteward) liaison between the Office of Donor Relations and the individual units they support
  • May recruit and train volunteers
  • May supervise, train and direct the work of assigned staff

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0603 J Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

4+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of all aspects of the alumni relations and/or stewardship program for assigned college or campus
  • Identify and recruit alumni for participation in programs, alumni boards, and alumni committees
  • Engage in marketing and communications efforts related to alumni relations/stewardship program; may include writing for print and on-line publications
  • Participate in the strategic and long range planning for new initiatives and programs designed to enhance the alumni relations and/or stewardship activities of assigned college or campus
  • Communicate stewardship objectives and the associated responsibilities to unit director and other internal and external leaders
  • Plan and coordinate the nomination and selection process for various alumni association and/or scholarship awards
  • Initiate, plan, and manage college programs and special events both on and off campus for the assigned college or campus
  • Coordinate endowment management efforts, serve as the stewardship liaison between the individual units and participate in the strategic planning process for eSteward, stewardship and endowment related inquiries
  • May manage volunteers
  • May supervise, train and direct the work of assigned staff

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0604 K Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

6+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Manage, implement and direct all aspects of the alumni relations or stewardship programs within the assigned college or campus
  • Oversee and manage marketing and communications efforts related to alumni relations program; may include writing for print and on-line publications
  • Implement new initiatives and programs designed to enhance the alumni relations activities of assigned college or campus
  • Serve on various boards and direct committees as requested
  • Participate in presentations to University and alumni groups
  • Coordinate endowment management efforts, serve as the stewardship liaison between the individual units and participate in the strategic planning process for eSteward, stewardship and endowment related inquiries
  • May act as liaison between the college or campus and the Alumni Association and/or stewardship steering committee; attend meetings and make recommendations
  • May identify, recruit and manage alumni volunteers to serve on Boards and Committees
  • Supervise assigned staff and interns

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0605 L Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

10+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Develop, execute and evaluate strategies and programs to deliver high quality alumni relations programming to internal and external constituents of assigned college or campus
  • Manage, implement and direct all aspects of the alumni relations and/or stewardship program within assigned college or campus
  • Identify, recruit and manage alumni volunteers to serve on Boards and Committees
  • Oversee and manage marketing and communications efforts related to unit alumni relations program
  • Implement new initiatives and programs designed to enhance the stewardship and alumni relations activities of assigned college or campus
  • Serve on various boards and direct committees as requested
  • Participate in presentations to University and alumni groups
  • May serve as the primary stewardship office contact for endowment management efforts and eSteward Access Administrator for all college, campus and administrative unit Stewardship Coordinators
  • Act as liaison between the college or campus and the Alumni Association and/or stewardship steering committee; attend meetings and make recommendations
  • Identify, recruit and manage alumni volunteers to serve on Boards and Committees
  • Supervise assigned staff and interns

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.