Program Officer, Alumni Engagement
Organization Overview: Schwarzman Scholars is a prestigious program aimed at cultivating the next
generation of global leaders. With a focus on understanding China's pivotal role in the world, we bring together up to 200 outstanding young
minds from the U.S., China, and beyond for a transformative year at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Backed by over $500 million in
philanthropic support, our mission is to empower these scholars as vital connectors between China and the global community.
Position Highlight: Schwarzman Scholars seeks a results-driven, visionary and strategic leader to support our efforts in navigating our second decade. The Program Officer of Alumni Engagement works cross-functionally in the design, development and execution of events, programs, and initiatives that drive alumni engagement. Reporting to the Director of Alumni Engagement, this position combines event management, volunteer leadership, communications, and relationship-building to strengthen geopolitical knowledge and leadership capacity among the growing alumni base, as well as to strengthen connectivity within the alumni network. The position serves as a strategic and operational partner to the Director and plays a key part in planning and executing comprehensive engagement strategies and initiatives for alumni.
Job Requirements
Principal Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
- Collaborate across global, multicultural teams to create meaningful alumni engagement opportunities.
· Work independently and in collaboration with the Director of Alumni Engagement to develop and implement initiatives that meet strategic alumni engagement goals and objectives.
· In conjunction with the Director, manage and grow alumni activities. This will include design, development, and implementation of programs to be delivered at scale fostering geopolitical knowledge, building the alumni network, and leadership training.
· Lead and curate alumni communications via email, web, social media, website, newsletter, print to keep alumni informed about upcoming events, news, and opportunities. Implement best practices to increase engagement through communications and outreach.
· Create and teach/facilitate engaging learning activities, blended learning experiences, and multimedia presentations, utilizing appropriate educational technology tools, pedagogical strategies, and assessment methods.
· Assess alumni engagement activities. Facilitate team debriefs, provide reports and analysis to inform strategy and continuous improvement, implementing new strategies based on feedback and data.
· Steward and manage relationships with program partners, guide programming, ensuring recognition and retention.
· Identify, recruit, train and evaluate volunteer leaders for various positions; evaluate applications for limited offerings, awards and honors.
· Lead alumni volunteer programs such as hub city captains, mentorship programs, advisory boards and related engagement activities. Establish ongoing relationships with individual alumni through personal visits, phone calls, and meaningful contacts.
· Plan, organize, and manage special initiatives like reunions, alumni population surveys and more, ensuring smooth execution and high attendance/response rates.
· Analyze metrics and leverage data to inform decision-making. Assess, refine and implement business process for any necessary technology platforms.
· Build, distribute, and review alumni surveys to assess the effectiveness of alumni engagement efforts and gather market intelligence to guide programming improvements.
· Provide development and stewardship support such as profiles, briefings, research and correspondence to support management of donor gifts and related projects.
· Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
· Minimum requirements include a bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent. Master's degree in a related field preferred.
· Minimum 8-10+ years of experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, event planning, or related field.
· Superior strategic planning, organizational, evaluation and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to manage and execute multiple priorities and deadlines across diverse cross-functional teams with keen attention to detail.
· Global mindset and cultural sensitivity with demonstrated success navigating complex, multicultural environments with members and volunteers located in myriad regions across the world.
· Sophisticated interpersonal skills, including discretion, empathy, and judgment, able to navigated sensitive or high-profile situations with professionalism, diplomacy and discretion.
· Capacity to work with alumni, board, staff, university leadership, consultants, and volunteers in a dynamic, results-oriented manner.
· Excellent planning, organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines across diverse cross-functional teams with keen attention to detail
· Ability to design, develop, and deliver new alumni programs and plan, promote and execute complex programs/events
· Deep understanding of adult learning theories/principles, instructional design principles, experience design and assessment strategies.
- Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including strong public speaking skills
· Experience and expertise with managing programs or projects involving people who may or may not report to you along with the ability to manage up.
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrate initiative, think creatively, and facilitate problem-solving.
· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where multi-tasking and competing priorities is the norm. Demonstrated adaptability in dealing with changing and/or uncertain circumstances as well as condensed timeframes. Exposure to start-up environments preferred. Strong adaptability and decisiveness.
- Enthusiastic, people-centered approach with a passion for engagement
- Manages difficult or emotional conversations; responds promptly to constituent needs; solicits constituent feedback to improve alumni services.
- Capacity to work with alumni, board, staff, university leadership, consultants, program partners, and volunteers in a dynamic, results-oriented manner.
· Proficiency with MS office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Box and Zoom; knowledge of alumni and Learning Management Systems (e.g., MailChimp, Hivebrite, Salesforce, Blackboard, Canvas) and other technology and project management systems strongly preferred.
· Willingness to embrace new technologies and innovative organizational practices.
· Experience with and proficient skills using various media and e-technology platforms for presentations and programs, including in-person and virtual events.
· International experience highly desirable. Knowledge, experience and comfort in working with and delivering content to myriad cultures; additional language skills are preferred.
- This role will require in-person presence at NY Office for a minimum of three days per week, although more in-person engagement may be required during peak times, and periodic travel for alumni events.
- Ability to work nights and weekends for alumni events and cross-border internal and external stakeholder engagement.
- This role will require periodic (at least quarterly) domestic and international travel for alumni events.
- Travel expenses will be reimbursed
- We use a variety of work tools including: project management systems (e.g., Asana), survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Form Assembly), learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard).
Salary & Benefits
· Salary Range: $80,000 to $140,000 Annually commensurate with experience.
· Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance. In addition, we offer a retirement savings plan with a company match, a flexible spending plan with a company match and a commuter savings plan.
Why Join Us? This is your chance to play a key role in shaping the future of global leadership
while working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. If you're ready to help Schwarzman Scholars reach positions of consequence,
apply now!
