Educate. Empower. Transform At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and that starts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years, we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all backgrounds and experiences thrive. We're looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future. We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston. As a proud institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Oakton is more than a college - it's a place where innovation, equity and lifelong learning drive everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and student-centered culture.
Job Description:
Basic Function and Responsibilities:
Under general supervision, the Alumni Relations Specialist cultivates and maintains relationships with alumni to foster a sense of pride, engagement, and support toward Oakton College. A member of the Educational Foundation team, the Alumni Relations Specialist fosters strong connections between Oakton's alumni community and the College through digital and print communications, events, and volunteer management. Primary responsibilities of this position are the planning and development of events and activities to build and maintain meaningful relationships with alumni and create opportunities for them to be involved with the institution, its programs, and its goals.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
Develop and execute strategies to engage alumni through various channels, including events, newsletters, social media, and targeted communications.
Serve as the primary point of contact for alumni inquiries, providing timely and personalized responses to requests for information, assistance, and support.
Support Educational Foundation team in event management in execution.
Collaborate with colleagues across departments to identify opportunities for alumni involvement in student mentorship, volunteerism, fundraising, and other initiatives.
Maintain accurate records of alumni contact information, engagement activities, and communications preferences using the Educational Foundation's database or CRM system.
Assist in the creation of compelling content for alumni communications, including newsletters, blog posts, and social media updates, to showcase the achievements and impact of alumni.
Identify and cultivate relationships with key alumni volunteers, leaders, and influencers to leverage their support in advancing the organization's goals.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of alumni engagement initiatives and recommend program adjustments regularly.
Be informed about trends and best practices in alumni relations and higher education advancement, continually seeking opportunities to enhance alumni engagement efforts.
Oversee and execute the Distinguished Alumni recognition program, including determining qualifications, nomination and selection process, awards ceremony and subsequent engagement. Forward Oakton Distinguished Alum to Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) and American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) award nomination process annually.
Attend Foundation Quarterly Meetings, select committee meetings, and special events.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Supervision Received:
Administrative supervision is received from the Director of Major and Planned Giving.
Supervision Exercised:
None.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with coursework in business, communications, journalism, marketing, or related area, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and ability can be acquired.
Two (2) years of experience that demonstrates competency in coordinating various project elements to result in a finished project.
Proficiency in writing, editing, and project management skills.
Six months experience coordinating volunteers.
Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage and coordinate multiple and complex projects concurrently, meeting established timelines, quality, and cost objectives.
Proficiency in Microsoft applications, Google Workspace and Adobe Acrobat. Experience with project management tools and systems.
Ability to utilize critical thinking skills to find and recommend solutions.
Effective interpersonal skills, including competence in communication, interaction and working with individuals or groups. Includes proficiency in verbal, written, and presentation skills. Preferred Qualifications One (1) year experience working in a Higher Education environment.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
Light lifting up to 10 lbs. and light carrying up to 10 lbs. Ability to reach above shoulder. Periods of time spent sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending and stooping. Mobility to move from building to building on-Campus and to visit off-Campus entities. Work is performed in a general office environment and is sedentary in nature. Little or no exposure to adverse working conditions
Additional Information:
Hours:
Flexible hours between 8:15 am - 5:00 Monday - Friday (25 hours per week) Salary $26.25 per hour Based on the needs of the college and with Administrator approval, some positions at the college may have a hybrid schedule option available after 30 working days. For information regarding employment eligibility, please visit our employment at Oakton web page.
Please be sure to have a current resume, cover letter, and list of, at least, three (3) professional references with contact information prepared to submit with your application. Oakton College conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law and in accordance with the Illinois Department of Human Rights Conviction Record Protection Act of March 2021. Posted positions may be removed from the Oakton website without notice when it is determined that no additional applicants are required. Oakton College does not utilize E-Verify for employment eligibility verification. HigherEd360 is part of the HigherEdJobs network.
