Title: Alumni and Annual Fund Director

VP Area: Advancement & Alumni Relations

Department:

Published Salary Range: $50,000

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Under the direction of and reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, the Director of Alumni and Annual Fund provides leadership in developing and enhancing alumni relations and managing annual giving programs. This position plays a critical role in advancing the mission of Lake Superior State University by fostering engagement among alumni and leading fundraising efforts that support scholarships, academic programs, and university initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY

Alumni Engagement & Events:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy to build and sustain strong relationships with LSSU alumni.
• Coordinate and contribute to annual Laker Log online publication (3 editions per year) and monthly Laker Effect Alumni Newsletter.
• Plan, organize, and execute alumni-focused events and programming both on-campus and off-campus, including but not limited to:
  • Laker athletics pre/post-game socials
  • Great Lake State Weekend
  • Detroit professional sports outings
  • Lake State After Hours networking events
  • Alumni reunions, Golden Grad receptions, and alumni socials
  • Participation in campus events such as Lakerpalooza and Resource Fairs
• Coordinate with campus departments to optimize event impact and efficiency.
• Track attendance, manage RSVP lists, and evaluate event effectiveness for future planning.
• Maintain alumni visibility during campus events such as Orientations and Resource Fairs by providing information about the Alumni Association.

Alumni Office Operations:

• Maintain daily oversight of alumni communications, including managing the alumni email account, responding to inquiries, and routing requests as appropriate.
• Update alumni records in Banner, including contact updates, event registrations, and other information.
• Manage the Alumni Association PayPal account, ensuring timely deposits and accurate record keeping.
• Answer telephone inquiries regarding events, memberships, and general alumni concerns.

Membership & Association Management

• Oversee the LSSU Alumni Association Membership program:
  • Process membership dues from various payment sources.
  • Supervise student staff in preparing membership packets and managing data entry.
  • Develop and promote new incentives and benefit programs to enhance membership value.
  • Follow up with lapsed members and manage renewal campaigns.
• Actively manage revenue-generating sources related to alumni engagement.
• Assist in the coordination of the Alumni Awards Program and the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Volunteer & Board Relations

• Maintain strong relations with the Alumni Association Board of Directors:
  • Coordinate two annual board meetings including logistics, agendas, and minutes.
  • Recruit and onboard new board members.
  • Track and follow up on board action items and initiatives.

Student Engagement & Supervision

• Train, supervise, and schedule student workers for the Alumni Office.
• Train students on software systems (e.g., Banner), event support, mailings, and office procedures.
• Develop and lead the Student Alumni Group/University Ambassadors (TBD).

Annual Fund Leadership

• Plan and execute the university’s annual fund campaign, including direct mail, digital outreach, and donor segmentation.
• Develop strategies to increase donor participation from alumni, parents, and community supporters.
• Track fundraising goals, analyze campaign results, and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Coordinate Phonathon operations, including hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating student telemarketing teams.

Administrative & Financial Oversight

• Maintain and monitor budgets for all Alumni Relations accounts.
• Prepare and disseminate regular reports on alumni engagement and campaign outcomes.
• Implement communication strategies and office policies to enhance effectiveness and outreach.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Advancement initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or a similar field. Proven track record of successfully leading annual fund campaigns.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Proficiency in donor and alumni database management software (e.g., Banner Advancement) and Microsoft Office Suite. Prefer experience with WordPress 6.7.2.

Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including alumni, donors, faculty, and external organizations.

Passion for higher education and the mission of Lake Superior State University.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Knowledge of higher education advancement and fundraising practices.

Experience working with alumni networks and understanding of engagement strategies.

Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Adequate physical fitness to be able to sit and concentrate for long periods of time; use of gross motor skills to perform supervisory and organizational duties; use of fine motor skills to operate computer; social intelligence; problem solving ability; ability to understand and work with numbers; ability to see, hear, and speak with or without the use of aids to perform normal office tasks.