Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/.
Desired Start Date 05/08/2023
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/26/2023
Description of Work Unit
The Alumni Relations unit within University Advancement at Colorado State University is seeking a Denver Alumni Engagement Specialist.

Who We Are
Located in the beautiful town of Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU is a premier land-grant university with world-class programs in education, outreach, and research. CSU has a student body of over 33,000 students, 7,500 employees, 250,000 living alumni, and annual research expenditures exceeding $456 million. Guided by the five supporting Principles of Community: Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice, the University constantly pursues its mission and vision of access, research, teaching, service, and engagement.

Within CSU, the Division of University Advancement is integral to achieving and sustaining the University’s institutional excellence through fundraising and engagement efforts. Our purpose is to connect our alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to raise the financial support necessary to advance the University’s mission and vision. With one of the leading development teams in the country, the Division most recently reached its $1 billion fundraising campaign goal 19 months ahead of schedule.

The CSU Alumni Association facilitates meaningful relationships between its 250,000 living alumni and the University. Using a combination of proven alumni engagement strategies and new, innovative approaches, the Alumni Association strives to celebrate the success of our alumni, build an emotional connection back to the CSU, and help alumni to identify connections that are meaningful to them. In addition, the Association also utilizes the Iris & Michael Smith Alumni Center to serve as a place of pride and home base for alumni when they return to campus as well as a gathering space for alumni and student programs and events.
Position Summary
The Denver Alumni Engagement Specialist is responsible for managing meaningful alumni engagement opportunities for alumni throughout the seven-county metro Denver area. They will build positive relationships with alumni as well as internal and external partners and create and manage engagement opportunities for alumni to strengthen their relationship with CSU. This will be accomplished through virtual and face-to-face meetings as well as planning and executing programs and events in the metro Denver area in order to meet unit goals. They will serve as an Alumni Association lead on a variety of events and programs and will collaborate with various campus partners in the delivery of these programs. While working directly with the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, this position will be responsible for executing a Denver alumni engagement master plan and strategy that will align with the overall engagement strategy for the Alumni Association.

This position will work with other Alumni Association team members on the planning and execution of year-round engagement activities, events, and programs. This position will also infuse diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of their role to contribute to inclusive excellence and to ensure colleagues and constituents of all backgrounds feel represented and included.
The ideal candidate for this position will be a consummate professional and will thrive in a fast-paced, metrics and results-driven environment. Eligible candidates will understand how they can make a difference in supporting the future direction of CSU, its alumni, and students.
Required Job Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university by employment start date
2 years professional experience in a customer service or relationship building role
Experience in event management
Demonstrated ability to engage and effectively communicate with diverse audiences and alumni
Ability to travel and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, events, and weekends.
Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds without assistance (i.e. cart) on a semi-frequent basis to set up alumni events.
Preferred Job Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work to maximize productivity in a creative, fast-paced environment
Experience building constituent engagement through events and programs
Strong interpersonal communication skills and an ability to manage demanding work situations
Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and quality in work produced
Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and to thrive in a creative, fast- paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and strong information technology skills
Experience with constituent databases
Experience in alumni relations, non-profit associations, or higher education
Knowledge of Colorado State University
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category Alumni Engagement, Relationship Management
Duty/Responsibility
Develop and execute meaningful engagement opportunities with alumni across the seven-county metro Denver area to strengthen their relationship with CSU through participation in events, programs, volunteering, and virtual experiences.
Identify and coordinate individual meetings with alumni to steward and cultivate relationships and encourage further engagement with CSU.
Partner with Student and Recent Graduate Engagement Specialist and Diversity and Inclusion Alumni Engagement Specialist to develop programming to target recent graduates, and diverse alumni populations in the Denver area.
Partner with Volunteer Program Specialist to include recruitment of alumni volunteers, create virtual volunteer engagement opportunities for alumni for Denver alumni.
Actively participate in growing membership, license plates and related revenue. This includes collaboration with the Alumni Association membership team to ensure proper messaging and stewardship is included in engagement plans.
Design and build targeted lists for engagement activities and communications using the alumni database, review lists for accuracy and alignment with engagement goals.
Use cultural competency and inclusive excellence to develop successful relationships with partners, donors, and alumni of various identities. Consider how all populations feel represented through various engagement efforts.
Percentage Of Time 45%
Job Duty Category Program and Event Management
Duty/Responsibility
Develop, design, and produce all event planning details including but not limited to independently negotiating terms and contracts with vendors for services related to an event, invitation and guest list management, menus, audio visual and facility requirements, event set-up, design and décor, and executing contracts and agreements in accordance with University and State regulations.
Work collaboratively with alumni staff, vendors, volunteers, and CSU partners to assess requirements for each event or program experience and provide innovative solutions that will result in a successful project, this includes open and continuous communication to resolve issues and ultimately ensure guest satisfaction.
Responsible for risk management assessment in relation to each event to ensure safety and comfort of alumni and student volunteers, and event/program guests.
Manage on-site event production, including directing team members and alumni and student volunteers involved in the production of each event or program.
Examine events, programming, and communications with a lens of diversity and inclusion for the audience, ensuring that the event welcomes guests from all backgrounds and is representative of various identities.
Percentage Of Time 40%
Job Duty Category Operations and Unit Support
Duty/Responsibility
Develop and prepare monthly reports of engagement efforts and impact in Denver. Includes research, analysis, and recommendations for adjustments to strategy.
Manage $56,000 program budget and comply with university financial policies.
Exercise initiative, sound judgment, creativity and discretion in performing work assigned, anticipating and addressing concerns, responding to requests for information, and organizing and maintaining confidential files and records.
Contribute to the total effectiveness of the department, communicating openly, solving problems proactively, offering creative ideas and working as a positive, engaged team member.
Understand and apply knowledge of University Advancement alumni database in a variety of facets, including analysis of demographic data, program/event effectiveness, and return on engagement/investment. Monitor trends to increase alumni engagement and make recommendations for enhancements or changes.
Exemplify the Division’s commitment to inclusive excellence and demonstrates this in operational tasks, including creating inclusive environments, materials, and communications.