JOB DESCRIPTION

ALUMNI DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

INCUMBENT: DIVISION: Community Relations

GROUP: SSA DEPARTMENT: Development
CLASSIFICATION: Level 9 DATE REVIEWED: June, 2006

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

The Alumni Development Coordinator is responsible for a wide range of activities to engage and involve our
college alumni in meaningful ways. This includes responsibility for the strategic planning and implementation
of effective fundraising and donor development activities, special events and projects, and Alumni Relations
programs. The incumbent is also responsible for the administration and evaluation of all programs, services, and
activities of the Alumni Relations Office. This position is part of the Community Relations leadership team and
serves as a principal liaison between the College and various alumni constituencies, including the Alumni
Association. The incumbent must be able to communicate, interact and organize effectively in order to build
mutually beneficial relationships between alumni and Red Deer College.

A key focus of the position is to provide leadership and execution of the annual fundraising program to
maximize Red Deer College’s reputation and philanthropic support through alumni, students, parents, faculty,
staff, Board of Governors, Foundation Board, RDC corporate partners and vendors. The Coordinator is
responsible for alumni outreach programs that have impact locally, nationally and internationally, to engage
alumni and to strengthen their connection with RDC. The position is responsible for the development of
fundraising and relationship building between RDC, its alumni volunteers, its alumni-in-waiting (students), and
its more than 60,000 alumni around the world.

This position is one of high visibility working closely with other department members in support of overall
Development activities and goals. Developing and maintaining positive relations with RDC’s key stakeholders
is essential to the institution’s reputation, philanthropic investment, student recruitment, and graduate
employment placement rates. Activities of this position are linked directly to outcomes identified within the
College Strategic Plan, Scholarships and Awards Strategic Plan and Strategic Enrolment Management
objectives.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Community Relations or designate

Subordinate Staff: Tracing & Phoning Assistants, Administrative Assistants

Other internal contacts: Development, Campaign and Marketing & Communications staff, and all members
of the College community

External contacts: Alumni, donors, volunteers, various businesses, Alumni Association Executive,
Foundation Board and Board of Governors
RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

A. FUND DEVELOPMENT
1. Develops and implements fundraising strategies and donor development programs directed toward RDC
alumni.
2. Cultivates and stewards key stakeholders to increase contributions (time, talent, influence and resources)
to RDC by:
a. Actively engaging in hands-on fundraising through the development of creative long and
medium term strategies intended to attract major gift donors to the college.
b. Providing a primary role in the identification, linkage and engagement of Alumni prospects to
the overall College fundraising / development objectives.
c. Providing leadership to the management and marketing of the Annual Giving and Student
Calling Programs
d. Serving as a sub-committee member of RDC’s Building Communities Through Learning
Campaign.
e. Promoting and overseeing the Alumni group insurance and merchandise programs.
f. Developing and enhancing a comprehensive benefit package to entice life-long relationships
with members.
g. Developing and managing an annual budget, including all alumni-related revenue-generating
budgets.
h. Evaluating the work of Alumni Relations to ensure a significant return on investment compared
to desired outcomes.
i. Developing and implementing :
a. annual fundraising plan
b. acquisition of sponsorships and donations in support of special events

B. RESOURCE COORDINATION
1. Manages the Alumni Relations Office to ensure that it is operating in an efficient manner to advance the
College’s goals and objectives, as well as the strategic direction of the Alumni Association.
2. Develops an annual plan outlining the goals and objectives of the alumni relations program aimed at
maximizing alumni interest in and involvement with the College and its various entities, in collaboration
with the Associate Vice President, Community Relations, the Development Coordinator and the Red Deer
College Alumni Association (RDC AA) Executive.
3. Develops and completes the Alumni cost centre annual plan and budget including budget initiatives.
4. Develops and manages the annual budget, including all alumni-related revenue-generating budgets.
5. Plans for human resource needs. Interviews and hires new staff. Supervises, and evaluates the work and
of administrative support.
6. Recruits key volunteers and organizes volunteer activities.
7. Plans for the maintenance of accurate alumni records and plays an active role in establishing database
related goals and procedures. This includes an active role in evaluating, planning, and approving
database enhancements or projects designed to improve database accuracy. Responsibilities included the
annual Banner information transfer and report generation.
8. Administers the alumni scholarship programs, including monitoring of the Alumni Association’s
Scholarship Endowment funds, liaison with external scholarship providers, managing the annual
selection of qualified recipients and promotion of the scholarships.

C. PROJECT COORDINATION & SUPPORT

1. Plans and actively supports all aspects (including timelines and budgets) of class homecomings,
chapter/branch events, reunion program development and regional alumni programming.
2. Manages all aspects of alumni benefits, programs, services and activities including developing, and
evaluating all communication and promotional materials, both print and non-print.
3. Works with the Student Association to develop activities that will ensure student involvement with
the Alumni Association before graduation.
 4. Assumes responsibility for identifying potential alumni candidates for the Alumni Award of Distinction
and managing all aspects of the promotion, nomination, selection and presentation process for the
award. Serving as Chair of the Alumni Awards Selection Committee, manages ongoing evaluation of
alumni recognition.
5. Leads a RDC-wide program to recognize alumni contributions and achievements.
6. Supports the RDC Alumni Association’s efforts to increase Alumni involvement/participation, through
research and implementation of the Alumni Mentorship Program and various Volunteer opportunities.

D. RELATIONSHIP/LEADERSHIP COORDINATION
1. Serves as principal College liaison with the Alumni Executive.
2. Leads RDC-wide programs to recognize alumni contributions and achievements.
3. As secretary to the RDC AA Board, provides administrative support and preparation of materials for
regular meetings, including the Annual General Meeting of the RDC AA.
4. Engages in active development of a strong volunteer base to aid in the coordination of an active Alumni
Executive.
5. Provides leadership and support for the Alumni Association that includes the recruitment of new
members, defining responsibilities, creating job descriptions, planning meetings, and enhancing the
visibility of the Alumni Association.
6. Provides principal leadership to the Alumni Mentorship Program that offers current RDC Students an
opportunity to access experienced RDC Alumni.
7. Serves as an Executive Council member of the Student Ambassador Program to strengthen the
relationships between RDC students and alumni.
8. Represents the College at alumni events and activities to enhance the prominence and positive profile of
the College in the alumni community. Work with other Advancement staff to ensure that the College is
represented at appropriate celebrations, ceremonies, and events.
9. Maintains regular contact with all College Departments and works closely with campus groups, alumni
groups and volunteers, and the Alumni Association in planning and implementing activities, services
and programs of interest and benefit to RDC alumni. Engages faculty and departments in identifying
and connecting with “lost” Alumni.
10. Participates as a member of the Community Relations management team, the Open House Steering
Committee, Convocation Committee and other ad-hoc committees as appropriate.
11. Remains current in alumni program/service trends; researches and recommends new programs, services
and revenue–generating programs, on and off-campus, to engage alumni in the mission and vision of the
College.
12. Networks with other post-secondary alumni offices in developing and implementing activities, programs
and services of benefit and interest to RDC alumni.
13. Maintains membership and involvement with appropriate alumni related organizations (e.g. CCAE,
CASE).

E. COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATION
1. In conjunction with the College community and the RDC AA, informs and involves Alumni through:
a. Notebook / Newsletters.
b. RDC AA web page; development and ongoing maintenance.
c. Special programs (including reunions, branch events and merchandise opportunities).
2. Serves as Managing Editor of the Notebook magazine ensuring that established objectives, format, style,
themes and timelines are met. The responsibility of managing all aspects of the alumni magazine
production and distribution includes:
a. Serving as chair of the magazine editorial committee.
b. Working alongside the College’s contracted sales representative of the Notebook advertising,
oversees the promotion and sale of advertising space in the magazine.
c. Working with Development Coordinator and Marketing & Communications staff to
conceptualize, and design alumni magazine content and cover.
d. Overseeing the editing all submissions for the Classnotes section, researching and writing
articles as required, managing selection of all required photographs.
 e. Editing and proof-reading all magazine content and signing off final copy.
f. Liaison with internal staff, external printer, external mailing service, and Canada Post in all
matters related to printing and distribution of the magazine.
3. Implements various Alumni focused promotional opportunities throughout the year; including:
a. Convocation.
b. RDC Special Events and tradeshows
c. Public Service Announcements/News Releases.
d. Reunion Packages
4. Coordinates all electronic alumni communication efforts in conjunction with the web coordinator
including marketing the alumni WebPages to promote alumni programs and services and stimulate
greater interaction.
5. Communicates by telephone and in writing with alumni, College staff, service providers, and public in
developing, promoting and delivering alumni programs, services and activities.
6. Investigates and submits alumni communications, programs, services or activities for annual award
recognition, as appropriate.

F. SPECIAL EVENT COORDINATION

1. Coordinates the planning and implementation of the RDC Annual Wine Tasting event, engaging staff,
consultative and volunteer support as required.
a. Prepares and administers overall plans, project budgets and time lines, acting as principal staff
liaison to the committees.
b. Supports the event chair and volunteer efforts in the areas of committee recruitment and specific
event activities, including meetings, acknowledgements, donor recognition and appreciation
activities.
c. Coordinates participation and tasks assigned to support individuals and volunteers, to ensure a
successful outcome.
d. Solicits internal and external feedback, evaluates the event and makes recommendations to the
Associate Vice President, Community Relations, Development Coordinator and committee
Chair of the for any revisions.
2. As an integral member of Community Relations team, the incumbent actively participates and assists
with special event planning and support when necessary, together with other department members,
including Wine Auction, Affairs of the Arts, Golf Classic, and Convocation.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• A university degree and/or an equivalent combination of education and at least 5-6 years
experience. Several years experience in a fundraising role is required.
• CFRE Designation is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Thorough understanding of the philanthropic process.
• Proven team leadership and supervisory skills
• Experience working with volunteers
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong computer skills, merging experience required (knowledge of Raiser’s Edge an asset)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently including researching to make recommendations
• Flexibility to work well with a very diverse group of individuals (RDC Alumni of all ages,
Alumni Executive & volunteers, Community Relations team, corporate leaders, faculty, staff)
• Ensures a safe and healthy work environment by complying with college health and safety
policies, standard practices, and programs in keeping with occupational health & safety
legislation and regulations
PERFORMANCE COMPETENCIES AND CRITERIA:

• Demonstrate a deep and genuine interest in the welfare of RDC Alumni in order to build and
grow strong, committed, long-term relationships congruent with values and vision of the
College.
• Strong demonstration of self motivation, energy, creativity and Alumni Relations expertise that
will make a substantial impact on Red Deer College Alumni participation, while enhancing the
image and positive relationships with the College.
• Ability to work well with Development and Campaign leadership to build, broaden and achieve
the College’s integrated fundraising goals.
• Ability to remain current with trends in Alumni Relations in support of RDC Alumni and
personal professional development by participating in conferences, workshops and other
training opportunities.
• Entrepreneurial skills, the ability to multi-task, and a proven ability to meet goals are core
requirements to ensure a professional execution of all Alumni Relations tasks.

GUIDELINES:
• RDC Standard Practices and Policies
• RDC Board of Governors Policies
• SSA Collective Agreement
• National and International Alumni best practices
• Robert’s Rules
• Alumni Association Policies and Procedures
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• AFP Fundraising Ethics

Supervisor: Date: _______________________________

Incumbent: Date:________________________________