Alumni Relations Officer

 

Description:

Purpose of the role: As the Alumni Relations Officer, you will take ownership of the Alumni Volunteering & Student Engagement Programme, and support the broader UCD alumni engagement strategy. You will act as a key representative of the Foundation, cultivating meaningful relationships with students and alumni, coordinating initiatives that align with institutional priorities. The role requires strategic planning, exceptional communication, and operational excellence to enhance alumni experiences and meet programme KPIs. 

To further enhance its mission, UCD Foundation is seeking an experienced and dynamic Alumni Relations Officer to lead and grow student and alumni engagement and volunteering initiatives. This role requires a proactive, flexible, resourceful, and strategic professional to help drive impactful programmes and deepen the connection between students, alumni and the University. This role reports to the Alumni Relations Senior Manager. 

Key Responsibilities & Duties: 

Alumni Volunteering & Student Engagement Programme Management 

● Support the planning, development, and execution of the Alumni Volunteering & Student Engagement Programme, ensuring robust engagement and meaningful connections within and across the UCD student and alumni communities. 

● Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including UCD academic and administrative departments, UCD Careers Network, Global, UCD Student Societies, and external suppliers, to integrate volunteering opportunities into wider institutional and alumni engagement strategies. 

● Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of a diverse network of student and alumni volunteers through strategic outreach and training initiatives. 

● Research, plan, and deliver a mix of virtual and face-to-face volunteering opportunities to ensure inclusivity and maximise engagement.
● Implement effective recognition and engagement strategies to ensure the sustainability of student and alumni volunteer contributions. 

Strategic Communications and Engagement 

● Champion the Alumni Volunteering Programme, ensuring its goals and impact are clearly communicated both internally and externally.
● Design and deliver targeted communications to alumni, leveraging email campaigns, social media, and other platforms to promote volunteer opportunities and build a strong sense of community.
● Collaborate with the Alumni Relations and Communications teams to integrate volunteer messaging into broader alumni engagement initiatives.
● Support the coordination and delivery of mentoring programmes, buddy initiatives, and other student-alumni engagement activities, with a particular focus on supporting young alumni as they transition into their professional lives.
● Develop and implement a dedicated programme of activities to engage young alumni, fostering their continued connection with the institution and encouraging their involvement in volunteering and networking opportunities.
● Contribute to the successful delivery of key alumni events, including Annual Conferring Ceremonies.

Data Management and Reporting 

● Maintain and enhance data quality within the CRM, ensuring that all student and alumni engagement activities are accurately recorded and reported. 

● Prepare monthly reports on volunteering and engagement metrics and contribute to board papers, annual reports, and university-wide publications. 

● Develop and deliver regular reports on volunteer activity, programme outcomes, and KPIs to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact. 

● Ensure policies and procedures for student and alumni volunteering are in place.

Team Collaboration and Leadership 

● Serve as the primary point of contact for student and alumni volunteering queries, providing exceptional customer service and fostering positive relationships. 

● Manage relationships with third-party suppliers and support the development of student and alumni engagement in collaboration with colleagues. 

● Actively oversee the training and management of Student Alumni Relations Ambassadors. 

● Act as a trusted advisor and advocate for alumni engagement across the University, collaborating with colleagues to align efforts with strategic priorities. 

● Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. 

Person Specifications & Qualifications: 

Education Standards: 

● A bachelor’s or master’s degree, with a preference for additional certifications in alumni relations, marketing, volunteering or nonprofit management. 

Requirements: 

● Experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, event management and/or communications. 

● Demonstrated ability to manage projects with strategic impact, including planning, execution, and reporting. 

● Strong communications and marketing skills with demonstrated ability utilising digital communications. 

● Strong organisational and project management skills, with attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines. 

Desirable Skills: 

● Experience with CRM systems and data management; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge is an advantage.

Personal characteristics/competencies: 

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build relationships with diverse audiences. 

● A passion for volunteering and a deep understanding of the value of lifelong connections between institutions and their volunteers. 

● Strong administration and organisation skills. 

● Self-motivated, enthusiastic, flexible and driven. 

● Capable of working on own initiative and driving strategic improvements. 

● Capable of dealing with potential problems in a calm and assured manner. 

Desirable attributes: 

● Experience delivering volunteer programmes for a non-profit organisation.