Engagement Associate

The University of Virginia Darden School Foundation's Office of Advancement and Engagement seeks an Engagement Associate to support the work of the engagement and annual giving teams. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President, Engagement, this position provides exceptional customer service to alumni and donors, maintains accurate constituent and engagement data, supports engagement and annual giving programs, and helps the team use information to strengthen relationships and increase impact. The Associate will respond to alumni requests, provide administrative support for events, code alumni event attendance and volunteer activity in a timely manner, and provide critical support to the Annual Giving team. By strengthening the operational foundation behind this work, the position will create more capacity for colleagues across Engagement and Annual Giving to focus on relationship-building, strategic priorities and meaningful experiences for alumni.

This is an excellent entry-level opportunity for someone who is curious, organized, eager to learn and motivated by helping the team succeed. The successful candidate will enjoy understanding how systems and processes work, connecting information across projects, and translating details into useful insights and meaningful experiences for alumni. The role requires someone who can manage competing priorities, collaborate generously with teammates and colleagues across the School and Foundation, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.

Darden is entering an exciting period of increased alumni engagement under the leadership of a new dean who is focused on activating the alumni community and creating more meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect with the School. The Engagement Associate will play an important role in helping the team deliver on that vision. The ideal candidate will be comfortable in a digital environment and interested in using technology, including emerging AI tools, thoughtfully and creatively to improve our work, connect more dots, deepen relationships and enhance the alumni experience.

The hiring range for this role begins at $55,000.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities include:

Customer Service

• Answer the phone and respond to emails in the general alumni inbox.
• Support constituents who request assistance with data platforms: Anthology/Encompass (alumni directory and event registration), Microsoft 365 (alumni email), Cvent (Reunion registration) and GiveCampus.
• Provide event registration and/or RSVP support.
• Connect constituents with areas across the Enterprise as questions or opportunities arise.
• Provide concierge support for alumni who are visiting Grounds.

Data Management

• Code alumni events and attendance into Advancement CRM and lists for PowerBI dashboards.
• Code volunteers, reunion committees, board members, speakers, mentors, student club leadership and membership, and alumni and student awards into the Advancement CRM.
• Enter volunteer NDAs into the Advancement CRM.
• Work with stakeholders across the School and Foundation to ensure that relevant data is collected. Develop and implement data mining strategies to fill gaps in information.
• Look up and input constituent IDs as needed for coding.
• Maintain robust documentation for coding processes and procedures.
• Update alumni bio data prompted by emails from alumni and donors.
• Mine contact and employment updates received through Class Notes submissions.
• Assist with providing students access to the alumni directory and transitioning graduating students to alumni Email for Life.
• Manage data requirements for creation of alumni email for life accounts and support the student to alumni transition communications.
• Support the process to request and utilize mailing lists for communications.
• Research alumni in Salesforce CRM.

Program Support

• Support collection of class notes, volunteer follow up and submission to the magazine editor.
• Provide giving reports for targeted audiences: class, reunion, region, employer, volunteer type, etc.
• Provide and maintain communications lists and performance reports for targeted giving and engagement audiences.
• Help execute segmented outreach and promotion through the Alumni Inbox for events, donor messages, Reunion, Day for Darden and other key programs.
• Support volunteer leaders with information and resource requests, escalating to the appropriate staff member when needed.
• Support volunteers through new and developing tools and resources.
• Help maintain shared calendars, timelines, documentation and workflows that improve coordination across Engagement and Annual Giving.
• Provide support for annual giving and engagement events such as reunion, EMBAs Supporting EMBAs, Day for Darden and Class Pledge campaigns.
• Track RSVPs and attendance to special events (and support alumni with online registrations) through Sign Up Genius, Anthology, Cvent.
• Support strategic follow up including audiences like first time event attendees, new volunteers, etc.
• Manage thank you gifts and other notes for event hosts, volunteers, speakers and alumni.
• Merge and print nametags, name tents and place cards for events and meetings.
• Organize event/meeting signage.
• Provide event support, which may require occasional after-hours or weekend work.
• Staff virtual events to assist with login issues. Staff events and occasional evening and weekend work is required.
• Manage social media approvals for private groups.
• Create Qualtrics surveys, track and compile results.

Successful candidates will have a proven track record that includes:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience in one more of the following areas: business, higher education, public relations, non-profit, advancement/fundraising, alumni relations or administrative support.
• Exceptional customer service and professionalism.
• Ability to handle sensitive information appropriately and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with constituents.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong research, project management and time management skills.
• Skill in exercising a high degree of initiative, collaborative spirit, judgment, discretion, and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously and be mindful of deadlines and schedules.
• Ability to work well in fast paced environment and maintain a calm and professional demeanor.
• Basic working knowledge of Excel.
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new software applications, including database management software and web-based applications.

Please attach a cover letter and resume when applying for this position.

The Darden School Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We participate in E-Verify.