Job Description

As director of volunteer engagement, you will develop and implement a comprehensive volunteer engagement strategy designed to complement donor strategies across the marketplaces and enhance constituent experiences that will help ensure a lifelong connection to Iowa State University. Additionally, you will assist with oversight of the governance structure of the ISU Foundation by managing succession planning and nomination process for the ISU Foundation Governors and committees, including overseeing the process for ensuring excellent experiences for these groups.

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Identify and track goals and metrics for the volunteer program that aligns with the ISU Foundation’s ten-year strategic plan, specifically related to constituent engagement and both short- and long-term fundraising goals.
• Research, design, and implement a comprehensive volunteer engagement program.
• Identify diverse volunteer opportunities across campus and maintain strong relationships with campus partners to ensure ongoing opportunities for volunteers.
• Work with foundation colleagues to develop a tool to recruit volunteers and track their activity within the constituent relationship management system (Ascend on Salesforce).
• Develop and maintain appropriate volunteer management materials designed to orient, train, and support volunteers and their activities, as well as implement strategies to thank the volunteers.
• Lead the strategy to ensure excellent experiences for the ISU Foundation Governors at the bi-annual on-campus meetings, opportunities for interactions between meetings, and regular communication with the Governors.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Governor Membership Committee who are responsible for Governor nominations and content planning. With this, manage the nomination, selection, and onboarding processes for new Governors.
• Create and implement a training program for foundation staff to effectively work with volunteers to ensure maximum engagement.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of the volunteer program and implement improvements as necessary.

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree. Advanced degree or professional certification preferred.
• 4 years of experience related to employment area.
• Experience managing volunteers is required.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Ability to lead through influence and successfully direct cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of developing relationships and volunteer management, familiarity with major gift fundraising strategy is preferred.
• Ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions in program implementation and maintenance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and constituent relationship management systems is required. Knowledge of Ascend on Salesforce CRM is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with meeting preparation.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work well with a variety of constituencies.
• Must adhere to strict confidentiality standards.
• Creativity, patience, a sense of humor and a belief in our organizational mission of:  Aligning donor passion and generosity to advance Iowa State University’s land grant ideals.

Travel: None

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid

For additional information, visit the following pages:

About Iowa State University Foundation

The Iowa State University Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to securing and stewarding private gifts and grants that benefit Iowa State University. Each year, thousands of generous benefactors make gifts to show their support for Iowa State.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs