Job Title:International Alumni Relations Manager

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form

Job Title:International Alumni Relations Manager

School/Department:Campaign and Alumni Relations Office

Salary:£28,132 - £36,661per annum, depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Job Family and Level:Administrative, Professional and Managerial Level 4

Contract Status:Permanent

Hours of Work:36.25 hours a week with some travel and out of hours work

Location:Nottingham

Reporting to:Head of Alumni Relations

Purpose of the New Role:The International Alumni Relations Manager will be responsible for developing and delivering a programme of alumni engagement activities that are designed to nurture relationships with the University’s alumni based outside the UK with a focus on the Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. This role will focus on developing increased levels of alumni participation and will also contribute to key strategic areas for the University such as employability, student recruitment and internationalisation. The role-holder will work closely with the Head of Alumni Relations, the International Alumni Relations Manager for the Americas and Europe, and other members of the Campaign and Alumni Relations Office (CARO) to review and define our international alumni offer.The post-holder will also need to develop relationships with key internal stakeholders, including those based at the University’s two overseas campuses – University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) and University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC). This self-supporting role requires a clear understanding of the alumni relations function, its relationship with fundraising and superb communication, event management and customer relations skills.

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1. / Manage and deliver a programme of engagement activity focused on regions which are strategically important to the University or where there are strong concentrations of alumni.Create and deliver a programme of international events which support effective cultivation and stewardship of alumni, donors and volunteers. Manage logistics of events including invitations, rsvps, venue bookings, hospitality and payments and liaise closely with colleagues and volunteers to ensure smooth delivery of these events. Support the international alumni engagement activity by travelling to key locations and attending approximately four events in person each year.Working with the International Office, build relationships with external agencies and organisations, such as the British Council, to support the programme of international alumni engagement activities and events. / 20 %
2. / Develop and manage the International Alumni Ambassadors programme. Work with established alumni associations overseas and develop new associations or alumni contacts in areas that have been identified as strategically important to the University.Maintain regular and pro-active communication with key alumni association members. Provide administrative and promotional support for association activities as appropriate, co-ordinating relevant invitations and communications and encouraging alumni-led events and activity.
/ 20 %
3. / Act as the first point of contact within CARO for colleagues at UNNC and UNMC to ensure a co-ordinated and collaborative approach towards international alumni engagement. Hold regular meetings with colleagues at UNNC and UNMC to co-ordinate activity, provide best practice advice and practical support for activity at these campuses.
/ 15 %
4. / Workclosely with the International Office, Asia Business Centre, Schools and Departments and other relevant colleagues to define volunteer roles and remit for alumni involvement in strategic areas and to develop greater interaction with students.Support student recruitment activity by sourcing alumni profiles for marketing materials and garnering alumni support at careers fairs, presentations andpre-departure briefings. / 10 %
5. / Support the work of the University’s Regional Strategy Groups for Asia and the Middle East and Africa by providing information on alumni, attending relevant meetings, and ensuring where appropriate that alumni activity aligns with the strategic priorities of this group.Work closely with the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Executive Office, Business Engagement and Innovation Services andsenior academics to maximise all opportunities for alumni engagement and donor stewardship in conjunction with overseas visits. / 10 %
6. / Work closely with colleagues in CARO and the Marketing and Communications Team to source internationally-focused contentfor use in printed and digital communications, including the alumni magazine, e-newsletters, web content and through social networking channels. All communications should be in accordance with the Alumni brand.
/ 5 %
7. / Working closely with colleagues in the Careers and Employability Service, identify opportunities to develop an international portfolio of careers opportunities, including mentoring, e-mentoring, placements, internships and employment vacancies, ensuring that throughout the process the needs of the internationally-based alumni community are being met. / 5 %
8. / Promote the University’s fundraising agenda with alumni based overseas and support frontline fundraising colleagues to deliver against their objectives.Identify international alumni and any other prominent individuals who could be most influential in assuring the success of alumni and fundraising initiatives and work closely with colleagues to devise and implement appropriate cultivation and stewardship plans for these individuals. / 5 %
9. / Maintain accurate database records ensuring that all database procedures and policies, including those relating to Data Protection, are adhered to. Ensure that all relevant data including contact details, employment information, contact reports and event attendance are added to the Raiser’s Edge database in a timely and efficient manner.Run basic queries and develop systems to evaluate the success of international alumni engagement activity and how effectively it has contributed to strategic priorities. / 5 %
10. / Maintain excellent communication links with the Alumni Relations team to ensure a co-ordinated approach to international alumni relations and support other members of the team in the delivery of the wider alumni relations programme. / 4 %
11. / Other duties as may reasonably be required. / 1 %

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education / Relevant degree or equivalent qualification. / Professional qualification in one of these areas: fundraising, marketing, communications, public relations or event management.
Skills/Training / Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and an ability to engage with and influence contacts at all levels, both internally and externally and including volunteers.
Proven excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Evidence of a diplomatic approach and ability to network with people from all backgrounds, ages and nationalities.
Evidence of a ‘can do’ attitude, outgoing and friendly personality, plus a pragmatic approach to problem solving.
Proven ability to prioritise workloads, utilise good organisational and time management skills to deliver on multiple activities simultaneously.
Evidence of a positive, enthusiastic and creative approach, with the drive and tenacity to deliver new initiatives and improve existing programmes with minimum supervision.
Proven ability to work in teams.
Proficient IT user – in particular large databases, Microsoft Office and e-mail.
/ Experience of working in a customer-focused role.
Knowledge and experience of Raiser’s Edge.
Knowledge and experience of updating web content using a CMS application.
Knowledge of other relevant languages, particularly Mandarin.
Experience / Proven track record of planning, managing and delivering high profile events.
Experience of working with or managing volunteers.
Evidence of willingness to work outside normal office hours and to undertake overseas travel.
Strong cultural understanding of China and South East Asia.
Experience of working with groups and individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and countries. / Experience in alumni relations, marketing or PR.
Experience of working in the Higher Education sector.
Overseas travel/work experience in Asia, Middle East or Africa.
Statutory/Legal / Full UK driving licence
Knowledge or experience of handling sensitive data and an understanding of Data Protection legislation.

Decision Making

i)taken independently by the role holder

Manage and prioritise own work and that of others – including staff, alumni volunteers and ambassadors.
Draft correspondence, e-mails, answer telephone enquiries and deal with international alumni directly.
Update data, run basic queries and use data to inform programme design.
Use judgement to ensure international alumni enquiries are dealt with efficiently and effectively.
Use judgement to determine when a decision requires line management approval.
Recruit, train and support international alumni volunteers based both in the UK and overseas.
Input to regular alumni team and activity planning meetings, deputising for the Head of Alumni Relations as required.
Use initiative to progress projects on a day-to-day basis.
Decisions relating to regular out of hours working and overnight stay away from home on University business.

ii)taken in collaboration with others

Programme planning, design and development.
Drafting of policies, procedures and ‘Best Practice’/guidance notes relating to development of own programme area.

iii)referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder

Refer to the Head of Alumni Relations:
Strategic and sensitive decisions which would impact on other teams or the delivery of the alumni relations programme.
Difficult or challenging staffing/volunteer management issues.

Additional Information

The current International Alumni Manager returned from maternity leave to a re-focused part-time role, creating a need to supplement this reduced resource with a new role. This, combined with a need to increase our capacity for international alumni relations, has led to the creation of this additional role. Funding has already been secured for this role.
Head of School/Department
(or nominee): / Alan Kennedy, Director of Supporter Engagement
Date completed: / 15/11/2013

Please quote ref. REG092114

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