Alumni and External Relations Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Alumni & External Relations Coordinator is centered in building a “best in class” development and marketing effort that harnesses the power of Voyageur Outward Bound School constituents across the country and future friends and alumni. This position is responsible for growing and managing opportunities for a vibrant, connected Voyageur Outward Bound brand and community.

You will implement activities that grow engagement, source new and burgeoning relationships, and inspire life-long learning as part of the Voyageur Outward Bound mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Alumni and External Relations

• In collaboration with the Director of Development, develop strategies for meaningful engagement for all Voyageur networks. 
• Increase and grow connectedness and participation among all networks.
• Monitor and review effectiveness of individual network strategies and pilots

Special Events and Engagement

• Produce and implement the Alumni Network activity and engagement plan which includes, but is not limited to Crew Reunions, Community of Practice, Alumni Staff Zoom Series and Alumni Welcome program.
• Coordinate and deliver Voyageur Outward Bound Community ZOOM Series.
• Develop and execute annual fundraising event.
• Create and manage customized activities that build brand awareness and facilitate network engagement.

Communications and Marketing

• Develop and build communications to support Special Events and Engagement and Alumni and External Relations efforts in collaboration with development and marketing team.
• Attend and support outreach efforts as assigned.
• Support the Marketing Manager in developing communications as assigned.

Strategic Alignment

• Responsible for ensuring best practices for management and development of engagement to support meeting the strategic needs of Voyageur Outward Bound’s development efforts, fundraising initiatives, program objectives and 2029 strategic plan.

Development

• Leverage engagement participation to identify donor prospects, emerging leaders, and champions to advance the VOBS mission. 
• Produce the organization’s annual fundraising event that supports the organization’s plan to reach $3M in contributed revenue by 2029.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

• Communication—conduct persuasive, engaging, energetic interpersonal and written communication with business prospects.
• Initiative/Entrepreneurial Spirit—tolerate ambiguity, seek opportunities, and learn by doing.
• Storytelling—identify and hone value propositions to create and execute compelling and relevant content, presentations, campaigns and social messages to promote programs and awareness.
• Listening—actively gather and assess target information, interest and motivation to conduct compelling outreach and persuasive communications.
• Creativity— innovate for success in collaboration with a team and team goal; identify, scope, and propose new solutions with finite resources.
• Proactivity, Resourcefulness —identify and elevate opportunities to solve problems and achieve goals.
• Curiosity- lead with the aim to learn instead of know. Ask questions, appetite to learn mission and development communication priorities and needs.
• Resilience—take calculated risks, learn from failure and apply learning to solutions.
• Administrative – familiarity with computer-based Google systems, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Word, Excel, and Google Drive, Canva, Adobe Suite. Experience with Customer Relations Management databases (i.e. Salesforce) a plus.  

SKILLS

• Time Management & Prioritization— prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
• Project Management—scope, service and complete projects from start to finish on time. 
• Platform Management—maintain communications channels to meet organizational goals.
• Collaboration – work cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to share or provide information.

EXPERIENCE

• 2+ years of experience in alumni relations, marketing, event planning, or related fields.

WORK CONDITIONS / LOCATION

• Potential for hybrid work; requires three days per week in the St. Paul, MN office.
• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment. 
• Occasional participation in outdoor events and travel to community locations.
• Limited weekends or evenings may be required for special events.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Events may have excessive noise and /or require working in close proximity to others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, sit, kneel, operate a computer, telephone and keyboard for prolonged periods of time.
• Must occasionally be able to lift or carry 15 pounds. 
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication  
• Ability to communicate and exchange ideas with others accurately and concisely.
• Sufficient visual acuity to operate a computer, assess and design content and evaluate content for accuracy, effectiveness and impact
• Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full- time, salaried, exempt position with a salary range of $50,000-$58,000.

VOBS offers a competitive benefits package, including employer sponsored health insurance, a dental and vision plan, STD, LTD and a 403(b) retirement plan with 2% match. Paid time off including, vacation, sick, holidays. 

In the interest of transparency and pay equity across our team, a candidate with the minimum experience can expect to be offered in the lower half of the range.