Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Assistant Director of Alumni Communications & Engagement is responsible for collaborating on communications and other essential projects on behalf of the Office of Philanthropy & Engagement (OPE) with University Marketing Communications. This role executes strategies to raise the visibility of the University and to increase engagement and annual giving with key audiences.

Core Competencies:

Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is to empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

Collaborates with University partners on philanthropic and engagement communications via email, direct mail, phone, online giving, social media and targeted digital outreach to execute effective solicitation and engagement campaigns.
Serves as the campus expert for Give Campus, the platform used for annual giving, events, and outreach.
Serves as the liaison between OPE and University Marketing Communications, ensuring alignment and collaboration on messaging, branding, and promotional strategies for fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship initiatives.
Develops tools, processes, procedures, policies and materials to support the alumni engagement and annual giving program, peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, and campus partners to ensure a seamless and positive donor experience.
Develops OPE communications.
Researches, writes, and edits a variety of communications, publications, and reports.
Develops and manages digital and print communications projects.
Manages the content calendar for OPE communications.
Acts as content development resource for OPE.
Assists with implementing a comprehensive annual giving program to acquire, retain, and upgrade annual donors.
Assists with coordinating alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives including the AU Day of Generosity, local and regional events, and affinity-based campaigns.
Assists with event logistics, including onsite support for registration.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least three years of successful experience within higher education or non-profits.

Skills:

Experience with writing copy, with basics of marketing, and with communication platforms like Constant Contact.
Ability to manage multiple projects/functions to produce quality results in a fast-paced environment.
Project management experience.
Experience working with data to inform decisions.
Strong interpersonal skills necessary to build relationships with internal and external constituents.
Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment.
Strong organizational and detail-orientation skills.

Preferred Skills:

Experience within higher education.
Basic knowledge of fundraising principles, best practices, methods, and standards.
An understanding of relational databases and report-writing systems.
Experience with project management tools like Basecamp.
Experience with Give Campus.
Knowledge of annual giving and alumni engagement best practices.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.