UW Impact Seeks Associate Director
| Program: | UW Impact, UW Alumni Association | FTE: | 1.0 |
| Supervised by: | Senior Director of UW Impact | ||
| Location: | Washington Commons at the UW Tower/Hybrid up to 2 days per week. | Updated: | Mar 2022 |
Position Purpose
The UW Alumni Association (UWAA) seeks an associate director for UW Impact, the legislative advocacy program of the independent, non-profit UWAA. UW Impact mobilizes UW alumni and friends to engage with elected officials to advocate for increased public funding for higher education in the state of Washington.
The UW Impact Associate Director plans and produces grassroots legislative advocacy and civic engagement events and programs within UW Impact and the UWAA. This position also serves in a lead communications role, developing and implementing online and print communications, social media, broadcast emails, and web site posts and updates for the UW Impact program.
Reporting to the Senior Director of UW Impact, this position will design, execute, and evaluate UW Impact programs and services, both individually and collaboratively, in support of the mission of the UW Alumni Association. UW Impact programs and services connect alumni with lawmakers on non-partisan higher education issues, educate alumni and students on civics and democracy, increase engagement of alumni, volunteers, students, donors, parents, and friends of the University of Washington, and nurture lifelong relationships with the University.
The UW Impact Associate Director also collaborates with internal and external partners to administer events and programs of shared interest and responsibility.
This position activates UWAA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and contributes to advancing understanding and actions that are actively anti-racist. It is responsible for developing and supporting inclusive, equity-focused and co-created programs and services with historically underrepresented or marginalized UW audiences in support of the organization’s public mission.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Key Volunteer/Stakeholder Management (20%)
In partnership with the Senior Director, contribute to and support strategic program design and development.
In partnership with the Senior Director and key community stakeholders, demonstrate thought leadership in and ability to implement policies and practices which focus on equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
In partnership with the Senior Director and key community stakeholders, co-create programs and services that attract and retain diverse advocates and volunteers.
Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to develop program/event execution plans and approaches that serve organizational and program area goals.
In partnership with Senior Director, steward and engage a volunteer advisory board of 10-12 highly engaged alumni.
Represent the UW Impact team with campus and community partners and coordinate the support, resources, and roles of these partners as they pertain to UWAA/UW Impact events and programs.
Establish and nurture productive relationships with senior campus administrators, alumni volunteers, and University donors that are involved with or in attendance at UW Impact or UW Alumni and Stakeholder Engagement (ASE)-sponsored events.
Hire, onboard, train and supervise 1 intern (10 hours per week during the UW academic year).
Program Development and Execution and Administrative Management (50%)
Develop, plan and execute approximately 6-8 engagement events each year independently and in partnership with the UWAA events team, other UWAA teams, campus partners, and community entities.
Serve as event lead in planning, design and execution for lobby days, statewide advocate recruitment activities, and other advocacy-related events.
Develop and administer statewide higher education candidate survey in election years.
Work collaboratively within UWAA and with University partners and external entities to develop and execute events across Washington state in alignment with goals established by UW Impact and UWAA.
Build a statewide advocate network, including recruitment, training, and retention of UW alumni, donors, and higher education ambassadors in support of UW Impact programs and advocacy.
In partnership with the Senior Director, contribute to and support comprehensive program assessment and evaluation initiatives.
Hire and oversee contract vendors as appropriate. Oversee and approve specification for bids and cost estimates.
Learn and help manage all internal systems and software, including CRM/broadcast email software, legislative advocacy software, WordPress, Office 365 administration, and other internal systems.
Communications (20%)
In partnership with the Senior Director, develop and administer copy and content for action alerts, educational updates, advocacy campaign descriptions, and blog posts, often distilling complex policy descriptions into easily accessible and actionable content.
Develop cross-platform posts for social media and work with UWAA’s Marketing and Communications team, when possible, on content which maps up to the UWAA and UW’s editorial calendars.
Other duties as assigned (10%)
Key Competencies
Effective Communications: Expresses oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others and prioritizes an accessible and transparent style in all forms of communication, i.e., verbal and written, one-on-one and group, etc.
Interpersonal Awareness: Builds and maintains positive and productive relationships and actively contributes as a member of working teams to achieve results.
Professional Credibility: Takes responsibility for meeting goals, objectives, obligations, and solving problems while representing the mission, vision and values of the organization.
Critical Thinking: Obtains, analyzes and evaluates information effectively in the face of ambiguity. Makes appropriate decisions based on relevant information and experience.
Ethics and Trust: Models and upholds the values of candor, openness, inclusiveness and honesty despite internal and external pressures. Acts consistently with Washington State ethical guidelines and organizational core values and beliefs.
Valuing Diversity & Inclusiveness: Respects, values and contributes to the UW’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity. Also able to navigate diversity of thought with regard to political discourse.
Management
Driving Results: Effectively communicates objectives and drives individual and team goals toward completion.
Organizational Planning: Develops and manages comprehensive goals and measures progress while balancing short-term and long-term priorities that are consistent with the organization’s mission, priorities and goals.
Managing Conflict: Recognizes and addresses conflicts and disagreements in a safe and respectful environment, manages conflicts collaboratively, and builds consensus with the best interests of the organization in mind.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications, Public Relations, or related field and three years’ experience in communications, special events, political campaigns, grassroots organizing, program management or similar. Equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may substitute for degree.
Experience in strategic communications such as developing web site content, broadcast emails, and social media posts.
Experience and established philosophy of management of staff and/or volunteers including plans for training, retention, successful communication, and expectation setting.
General knowledge of grassroots campaigns, legislative processes, and basic civics.
Ability to be resourceful and self-sufficient in an office which works independently of UW IT resources.
Experience working with high-level administrators, significant donors or stakeholders, and executive-level professionals.
Proficiency using PC computers. Demonstrated strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for correspondence, special reports, spreadsheets, databases, forms, etc.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in higher education, non-profits, grassroots organizing, political campaigns, or other area with significant community or member engagement-focused portfolio.
Conditions of Employment
Cubicle/open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, periodically on short or limited notice, especially during the legislative session (approx. Jan-April annually).
A valid driver’s license. Regular and reliable personal transportation for local travel. Willing to travel when necessary, including the ability to travel (primarily in-state) up to 5-8 times per year for events and stewardship.
Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2, employees of higher education and healthcare institutions must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. As UW Impact is co-located in a UW building, the vaccine requirement extends to our employees. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.
Salary Range: $75,000- 85,000 DOE + generous retirement and benefits stipend. This position is not eligible for UW employee benefits.
TO APPLY: Please submit resume and cover letter detailing relevant experience and interest to info@uwimpact.org with the subject line Associate Director Application.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 8