Assistant Director of Parent Philanthropy and Engagement

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Job Title:

Assistant Director of Parent Philanthropy and Engagement

Job Family:

Professionals

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Compensation Grade:

5S

Pay Type:

Salary

Department:

Parent Programming and Giving

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Parent Philanthropy and Engagement is part of an ambitious Development division responsible for cultivating relationships and raising resources to support the mission of Furman University. This position manages and implements a variety events, programming and activities designed to encourage parent involvement and engagement, create opportunities for parents to interact with campus, and play a key role in retaining parent donor support. The Assistant Director strives to cultivate in Furman University parents the desire to engage, volunteer and maintain a lifelong, mutually beneficial relationship with their student’s alma mater.

Job Description:

Responsibilities:

• Manage and direct the planning and implementation of:

  • Family Weekend, a signature engagement opportunity for all parents and current students. Works with the Director of Parent Philanthropy and Engagement, Parent Team, and Alumni Office to develop an annual Family Weekend plan that includes marketing and communications, events programming, volunteer and staff management.  Cultivate and manage partnership relationships with Facilities, Catering, Athletics, Student Life, Academic Affairs, and external vendors.  Secure all arrangements for facilities, catering, décor, registration, and other event needs for both on campus and off-campus Family Weekend events.  Manage budget and develop a comprehensive assessment that informs future planning.

  • Parent and Family Council meetings and events.  The Parent and Family Council is the University’s top volunteer group of parents who are dedicated donors, volunteers and advocates.  Works with the Director of Parent Philanthropy and Engagement, Parent Team, and frontline fundraisers to develop a Fall meeting and Winter meeting that includes developing robust agendas with relevant topics, marketing and communications, events programming, volunteer and staff management.  Cultivate and manage partnership relationships with Facilities, Catering, Athletics, Student Life, Academic Affairs, and external vendors.  Secure all arrangements for facilities, catering, décor, registration, and other event needs for both on campus and off-campus events.  Manage budget and develop a comprehensive assessment that informs future planning.

  • Move-in Reception for top incoming families.  Oversee invitations and registration.  Secure all arrangements for facilities, catering, décor, registration, and other event needs.  

  • Coffee drop-in for parents at Furman Engaged.  Oversee invitations and registration.  Secure all arrangements for facilities, catering, décor, registration, and other event needs.  

• Serves as team expert for all Parent Philanthropy and Engagement events in Almabase, the integrated platform used by the department for events.

  • Oversees all events sponsored by Parent Philanthropy and Engagement team by working closely with Assistant Director of Development Systems, Associate Director of Development Communications, and Development Communications Coordinator

  • Determines how to set up each event, requests appropriate lists

  • Builds event registration page and corresponding email communications

  • Determines email distribution method and appropriately involves correct departmental partners.

• Oversees and executes communications for Parent Philanthropy and Engagement team

  • Manages the parents@furman.edu email address.  Uses discretion to respond or collaborate for appropriate response. 

  • Creates Furman Family News, an electronic newsletter to all current parents with Mailchimp.  Initiates open call to campus partners to share relevant content, synthesizes information across campus and determines appropriate content per edition.  Builds each newsletters, requests appropriate distribution list and sends to audience. 

  • Creates Parent and Family Council newsletter, an electronic newsletter to all members of the Parent and Family Council with Mailchimp.  Requests and performs interviews for features with members and campus partners, selects timely and relevant content, creates and synthesizes content, and sends to audience.    

  • Pending admission by administrator, regularly checks Parent-to-Parent Facebook group for current Furman parents, an independent group not owned by the University.  Assesses if any comments or concerns need to be shared with appropriate campus partners and manages that collaboration. 

  • Informs and works closely with the Associate Director of Development Communications, and Development Communications Coordinator for all parent correspondence including but not limited to Furman Family Newsletters, and Parent and Family Council newsletters.    

• Oversees the Parent Philanthropy and Engagement team’s unassigned parent donor retention plan. On a timely and regular basis, reviews list of recent parent donors, contacts parent donors in target audience (unassigned with gifts of $500) by phone call or email to steward and seek to further engage on campus with specified tactics and strategies.  Records each action in The Raiser’s Edge. 

• Exercises Budget Management by utilizing online reporting to manage budget, enter receipts and track expenses 

• Serve as an active and eager team member for departmental, division, or campus-wide events and initiatives that demand team support.

• Perform other duties as required.

• Communicate openly and recognize the contributions of co-workers and supervisor.

• Complete performance review process with supervisor and colleagues to understand job performance expectations and how they fit into the department and university goals.

• Pursue professional development to keep pace with demands for services and information; including maintaining up to date information about the department and university.

• Serves as ambassador of the University

• Along with Parent Philanthropy and Engagement team, serves as liaison between parents and the University

• Maintains and creates relationships with campus partners to ensure knowledge on University happenings

• Participate in and attend Furman events as required, including but not limited to Top Parent Move-in Reception, Family Weekend, Parent and Family Council meetings, and Homecoming.

• Professional Development

  • Pursues professional development to keep pace with demands for services and information; including maintaining up to date information about the department and University

Relationships:

• Daily contact with members of own work unit and immediate supervisor to plan, coordinate, problem solve, present information, and make suggestions related to mutual goals.

• Regular contact with campus partners including Facilities, Catering, staff and faculty speakers for events and communications.

• Contact with volunteers to plan, coordinate, problem solve, present information and suggestions related to mutual goals 

• Contact with Parent and Family Council, senior administrators

Reports To:  Director of Parent Philanthropy and Engagement

Work Conditions:

• Work is performed under usual office conditions.

• Occasional travel may be required .

• Some night and weekend work required.

• This position is approved for work performed on a hybrid schedule

Education/Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3-5 years of experience in related field

• Strong interpersonal skills including a service-oriented approach, and ability to interact with all types of people including parents, students and alumni of all ages 

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects at once, follow-through and effective time management. 

• High energy level and positive attitude.

• Ability to work independently and as a part of the overall Development effort.

• General computer proficiency (Microsoft Office Suite, common social media outlets, etc.)

• Must maintain attention to detail

• Must be a skilled communicator, both oral and written

• Must be willing to work as a member of an energetic team

• Must adhere to the stated principles of Development at Furman and acquire an appreciation for

• Furman’s history and aspirations as one of the nation’s leading liberal arts institutions

Please submit a cover letter and resume, along with the online application, for consideration.

Education Requirements:

Certification Requirements:

Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended):