THE ORGANIZATION

 

San José State University (SJSU) is a major, comprehensive public university located in the center of San José, California - the heart of Silicon Valley. A member of the 23-campus California State University System, SJSU is the oldest state university in California, granting bachelor and master’s degrees in 145 areas of study. Among the top 200 universities in research and development expenditures as surveyed by the National Science Foundation, SJSU offers rigorous course work and research opportunities to more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

 

The University’s academic colleges include Applied Sciences and Arts; the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business; the Connie L. Lurie College of Education; the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering; Humanities & the Arts; Science; and, Social Sciences. SJSU occupies 19 blocks in downtown San José with 23 academic buildings and seven residence halls. Located 1.5 miles away on 62 acres is the South Campus, which includes the Spartan Stadium and athletics fields.

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San Jose State's location in the Silicon Valley makes it an exceptionally rewarding learning environment for students. Silicon Valley firms and agencies seek SJSU students for internships, summer work programs and for assistance with research and development projects. Silicon Valley firms employ more graduates from SJSU than from any other university in the nation.

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Since 1873, the University’s Alumni Engagement office and the SJSU Alumni Association have endeavored to connect graduates to their alma mater and each other, while adding value to their SJSU degree. The SJSU Alumni Association serves the University's 226,000+ network of graduates and annually hosts a variety of social and recreational events, including Homecoming Weekend, the Golden Grad Reunion, and many other regional programming events.

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THE POSITION

 

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, the Associate Director of Marketing and Membership will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs to expand the number of engaged alumni at SJSU. S/he will be responsible for creating and implementing marketing initiatives that leverage and promote the University’s brand through a full range of materials that support the mission and message of the Alumni Engagement team and the SJSU Alumni Association.

 

The Associate Director will design and execute marketing strategies across all channels, through high impact communications, data-informed testing and segmentation and innovative user experiences. S/he will be responsible for developing a comprehensive communication strategy that enhances the visibility and image of SJSU and the Alumni Association with its key audiences and for driving revenue to support Alumni programs through membership, sponsorship, and affinity programs.

 

Responsibilities:

 

Marketing

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• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication plan in support of Alumni Engagement and Alumni Association priorities that engages alumni, builds Spartan pride, and increases membership and affinity for the University.

• Develop and coordinate marketing communication strategies, collateral, and other vehicles, including print pieces, website and content management, presentations, electronic newsletters, direct mail, social media, special promotions, and events.

• Manage project timelines, budget, approval processes and final execution, with input and buy-in from appropriate partners.

• Oversee and ensure consistency in branding, messaging, and marketing.

• Working with the Assistant Director and Graduate Assistant, manage the master schedule of production and marketing initiatives including social media channels.
   

Communication and Branding

 

• Oversee and coordinate printed and electronic Alumni Engagement communication materials, ensuring consistent quality, accuracy, visual appeal, and branding.

• Develop high-impact communications from the Alumni Association to its key audiences.

• Work with colleagues to create and customize content across channels to keep the SJSU Alumni Association brand relevant and valuable to end users, including the Association’s web site and electronic newsletter, ensuring accuracy, consistency, effective branding, and visual/graphic appeal.

• Evaluate effectiveness of communication materials, advising the AVP of changes needed to communication materials and strategies to achieve strategic goals.

• Innovate visual design through use of gifs, video, digital printing, etc., to promote the brand and Alumni Association objectives.

• Contribute to segmentation and targeting work to better personalize communications.

• Supervise design of membership materials, including welcome packets, renewal notices and other membership business materials.
   

Member Recruitment and Retention

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• Develop and implement strategies and programs to expand the number of life and annual members in the SJSU Alumni Association.

• Develop and manage arrangements with local, regional, and national partners to offer innovative membership benefits that increase the value and attractiveness of Association membership and generate new revenue sources.

• Direct the activities of membership services personnel employed by the Alumni Association.

• Increase quantity and quality of membership benefit communications to alumni and friends of SJSU.

• Recommend and implement changes to membership benefits, pricing, and programs.

• Implement acquisition initiatives and campaigns that maximize membership response rates, raise the stature of the Alumni Association and University, and increase revenue.

• Analyze and leverage metrics and feedback to contribute to ongoing strategy development and decision-making to enhance the alumni experience. 
   

Business Development

 

• Independently research, develop and implement strategies for revenue generation through sponsorship and/or affinity relationships between the Alumni Association and the business community in accordance with strategic priorities set by the AVP and board of directors.

• Fulfill contractual obligations with sponsors and affinity partners.

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CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE​

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Education: 

 

      A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent is required. 

 

Experience:

 

• Four years of progressively responsible experience in a marketing or communications role in a not-for profit, philanthropic or member-based environment.

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in copy writing, editing, strategy development and implementation of email, social media, web, and graphic design experiences. 

• Demonstrated use of technology in marketing initiatives and solutions.

• Experience developing broadcast email, knowledge of HTML. Experience with iModules platform, preferred.

• Experience developing strategic plans, setting goals, and implementing programs.

• Competency in the fundamentals of graphic design and print production.

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​COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

 

The successful professional will have:

 

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of constituents.

• Skills in evaluating programs and procedures and modifying them, if necessary.

• Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

• Skill in directing the work of others.

• Ability and willingness to share ideas, to be open to the ideas of others, and to work collaboratively toward organizational goals and interests.

• Ability to effectively handle multiple, competing issues in a timely manner.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships within the department, the University, outside agencies and other organizations.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Strong passion for social media.

• Familiarity with SJSU as an alum or through other relationships is a significant plus. 
   

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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This is a full-time, exempt position. A competitive salary and generous employee benefits package will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information on the opportunity, please contact or send resume to:

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David N. Randall

Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 767 3814

david@randallsearchassociates.com

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