Position Overview

The Alumni Relations and Development Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of the JCU Alumni Association, a JCU Student Alumni Association, and the donor stewardship program. The incumbent delivers, monitors and evaluates initiatives to alumni and development activities.

The Alumni Relations and Development Coordinator manages a pool of new and existing annual donors to JCU.

The Chancellery

The Chancellery consists of the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and President, Chair of Academic Board, Office of the Chief of Staff, Marketing, International and Advancement Directorates, and State of the Tropics project. The Chancellery provides a centralised point for the facilitation, coordination and oversight of all corporate governance; marketing activities; international compliance and student support; alumni and fundraising; government relations; and external engagement both domestically and internationally.

The Chancellery provides support to the Vice Chancellor and the Executive Group on governance and management issues and in particular supports the Vice Chancellor to discharge her duties. The Vice Chancellor and President of the University is the equivalent of the Chief Executive Officer of a substantial company. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the University and plays a prominent role in outward facing activities of the organisation, including national, international and community engagement.

Advancement Directorate

The Advancement Directorate provides leadership and strategic direction within the University to support JCU’s ambition to become a world leader in education and research related to the tropics. The Director is outwardly focused and provides centralized point for the creation and oversight of the JCU Advancement Strategic Plan, which focuses on fundraising and alumni relations.

Principle Accountabilities             

1. Implement communication strategies to encourage current alumni to remain connected to JCU and to engage with each other, including organising events and activities.
2. Implement the JCU donor stewardship plan to ensure proper recognition for gifts reaches the donors, liaising with Scholarships Team to ensure Advancement stewardship standards are met.
3. Coordinate alumni event logistics on JCU campuses, other cities, both nationally and internationally, including maintaining and managing guest lists, vendor contracts and payments, email correspondences, and event collateral such as signage and décor.
4. Collaborate with the Advancement team on the creation of a student alumni association, which organises annual student alumni programming and builds a base of student volunteers to transition into alumni leaders. 
5. Assist with projects and serve as a point of contact for alumni through phone and email correspondence and through the creation and delivery of social media content. 
6. Maintain event and program reporting, data collection and metric analysis for all alumni relations activity to support strategic goals. 
7. In collaboration with the Alumni Relations and Development Officer coordinate and support alumni strategies in order to increase numbers of donors, dollars raised annually and alumni participation.  
8. Proactively seek, foster and manage the cultivation of relationships with a pool of existing and new potential annual giving donors to JCU, including alumni, “friends”, exploring and developing opportunities for alumni to engage with each other and identify engagement opportunities that are of interest individually to each potential donor. 
9. Support the University's commitment to the principles of reconciliation, which exemplify respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and the valuing of justice and equity for all Australians.
10. Demonstrate a commitment to the University values.
11. Support the principles of the TropEco program and engage in commitment to JCU sustainability goals and objectives.

Descriptors

There are generic responsibilities that apply to all James Cook University staff. Your specific level descriptor can be found at:

Professional and Technical

Level 6

Generic Accountabilities

There are generic responsibilities that apply to all James Cook University staff.

1. The Alumni and Development Coordinator is required to observe the lawful and reasonable directions, policies and decisions of the University Council, understand and comply with the Enterprise Agreement, the Statutes and Rules of the University, the policies and decisions of the University Council and other appropriate University authorities, as in force from time to time.
2. The Alumni and Development Coordinator is required to demonstrate a personal commitment to ensure personal safety and the safety of others and contribute to the continuous improvement of our WHS performance. This includes the effective implementation and compliance with James Cook University WHS policies, procedures and safe systems of work, together with all relevant legislation, duties and obligations. Contribute to the continuous improvement of our WHS performance. 
3. The Alumni and Development Coordinator is required to exercise proper discretion in all matters affecting the well-being of the University which involve public writing or speaking in accordance with the University’s Code of Conduct.

Special Conditions

• It is a requirement of this position to occasionally work outside of ordinary hours.
• It is a requirement of this position to occasionally travel domestically as required.

Selection Criteria 

Selection and appointments will be assessed against selection criteria.

Essential

1. Degree qualification with subsequent relevant experience or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education and/or training.
2. Demonstrated high level organisational, problem solving skills and proven ability to proactively manage own and others workflow and prioritise to ensure deadlines and targets are met in a high pressure environment.
3. Demonstrated well-developed written communication skills including preparation of reports, accurate minute taking as well as a comprehensive knowledge of the preparation of agendas and minutes for meetings; well-developed computer literacy skills including extensive use of CRM databases, spreadsheets, presentation software and web tools.
4. Demonstrated well-developed oral communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
5. Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and quality assurance in service delivery with a strong client focus.
6. Experience in working in a cross-cultural/international environment and ability to respond to situations in a culturally appropriate manner.

Desirable

1. Experience with CRM software, such as Raiser’s Edge.
2. Sound understanding of the Australian Tertiary environment.