Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning.

Located in the Valley of Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is a regionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University.

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations plays a vital role in inspiring and connecting Grand Canyon University alumni through dynamic programs, events, benefits, and resources. This position is dedicated to cultivating a strong sense of community among alumni by organizing engaging group events locally and nationwide, ultimately empowering them to deepen their involvement and foster a lasting commitment to supporting the University.

What you will do: 

• Oversee the entirety of all in and out of state event operations for the office of alumni relations from start to finish. Set the strategic approach for alumni event structuring and ensure exemplary planning and execution for each of these events.

• Integrate fundraising into all Alumni relations events and communications.

• Manage internal operations for the office of Alumni relations.

• Ensure that internal tasks such as but not limited to travel, budget, purchasing, inventory & customer service is handled in effective and efficient manners.

• Take responsibility for coordinating and facilitating volunteer programming within the office of alumni relations. Ensures that all alumni volunteers are managed well.

• Take on a frontal facing role and engage with audiences of graduates and other members of the GCU community on a regular basis.

• Must be available and able to travel out-of-state by various modes of transportation.

• Other duties as assigned.

What you will need:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, sports business or a related field. At least one year of experience in event planning or demonstrated experience in professional alumni relations-related work.

• Three years of directly relevant experience including equivalent work experience in a position that requires the performance of tasks similar to the major duties and responsibilities of the position in preferably a higher

• education and/or public safety environment.

• Substantial experience working in a customer service-driven, dynamic environment with rapidly shifting priorities, heavy workload, and frequent interruptions.

• Must successfully pass a background check.

• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement, and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Why work at GCU:

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan

• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays

• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU-sponsored events

• Free covered parking

• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program

• Free on-site gyms on campus