Director of Alumni Engagement and External Affairs

For more than 150 years the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the worlds most influential artists designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAICs undergraduate graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the worldas seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner David Sedaris Elizabeth Murray Richard Hunt Georgia OKeeffe Cynthia Rowley Nick Cave and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

The Advancement Office at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) plays a vital role in supporting the schools mission to educate and empower the worlds most influential artists designers and scholars. Advancement partners strategically with internal and external stakeholders to build enduring relationships secure philanthropic support and steward resources that enhance the student experience fuel academic excellence and strengthen SAICs impact locally and globally.

The team leads a broad range of activities including fundraising major and planned giving advancement services and operations alumni engagement and donor relations. By leveraging best-in-class systems data insights and creative engagement strategies Advancement ensures that SAIC can continue to provide world-class resources from faculty support and scholarship funding to state-of-the-art facilities and innovative programs. Collaboration across departments thoughtful stewardship and a commitment to community and creativity are at the heart of the offices work.

Position Summary

The Director of Alumni Engagement and External Affairs leads the strategy programs and partnerships that strengthen SAICs relationship with more than 30000 alumni worldwide. This role develops and executes a comprehensive engagement plan that deepens alumni connection to the School enhances volunteer and philanthropic participation and elevates the visibility of SAIC alumni within the broader arts and cultural community. The Director will also collaborate with external partners including corporate and sponsors.

The Director manages signature alumni programs oversees alumni communications partners closely with internal and external stakeholders and plays a key role in identifying and cultivating alumni donor prospects. This position supervises the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and reports directly to the VP of Advancement.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Develop and implement a multi-year alumni engagement strategy aligned with SAICs strategic priorities.
• Expand alumni touchpoints including regional clubs affinity groups and engagement initiatives.
• Create and lead special initiatives and curated alumni gatherings.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and mentor the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement.
• Recruit train and support alumni volunteers regional leaders and event hosts.
• Foster a culture of collaboration belonging creativity and service within the Office of Advancement.

Fundraising & Donor Pipeline Development

• Partner with the Director of Annual Giving to design targeted fundraising campaigns for alumni across class years affinities and geographies.
• Maintain a small portfolio of alumni prospects cultivating and soliciting annual leadership gifts.
• Work with major gift officers to identify alumni who may be future major donor prospects or connectors in their networks.

Program Management

• Oversee planning and execution of alumni eventsregional programs on-campus events and virtual engagement.
• Lead Alumni Weekend reunion events and industry-specific gatherings.
• Manage in coordination with colleagues - alumni digital content email communications newsletters and social media partnerships.
• Ensure alumni benefits are desirable visible and well-utilized.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Collaborate with Admissions Career Services and Academic Affairs to integrate alumni into student recruitment career mentorship and classroom experiences.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to highlight alumni success and elevate the SAIC brand.
• Work with museum staff to expand opportunities that include or feature alumni.
• Serve as SAICs domestic liaison to international alumni groups and support cross-promotion of global initiatives.

Metrics Data & Reporting

• Track and report on engagement KPIs volunteer participation event analytics and campaign results.
• Work with Advancement Services to leverage CRM tools for segmentation analysis and outreach.
• Establish annual engagement and fundraising benchmarks for alumni participation.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 6 years of progressive experience in alumni relations advancement donor engagement or related experience.
• Experience in higher education or the arts strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success building engagement strategies and managing programs at scale.
• Strong leadership skills with experience with project management.
• Excellent communication presentation and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities think strategically and execute with strong attention to detail.
• A sense of humor is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range:$88600 - $94000

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors including skill set experience qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification:Full time staff
• Employment Category: Exempt
• Grade Level:9

If you are accessing this listing from a third party not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/ for complete information

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the Department of Human Resources at

Required Experience:

Director