Director of Alumni and External Relations

Job Title: Director of Alumni and External Relations-مدير العلاقات الخارجية والخريجين
Department/ Section: Advancement Office
Immediate Supervisor: Vice President for Development
Office Location: Bethlehem, Palestine

The Director of Alumni and External Relations is a key senior position in the Advancement Office
and will be involved with high level individuals and organizations in cultivating and securing
philanthropic support to meet and exceed multi-million fundraising goals. The main responsibility of
this position is to implement fundraising and public relations initiatives with a particular but not
exclusive focus on Palestinians in Palestine as well as in the Diaspora – and to provide leadership and supervision to the Alumni Relations Office and Guest Relations Office located in Bethlehem and Gaza as an integral part of fundraising efforts.
As part of a local and global focus of the University, the Director is responsible for ensuring that the
activities of the Alumni Relations Office and Guest Relations Office are integrated and coordinated
with the Communications Office and the Development Office whose personnel are located both in
Bethlehem and in Washington, DC. The goal of these coordinated efforts is to increase the
engagement of and support from individuals and organizations in Palestine as well as in the Diaspora for Bethlehem University and its fundraising initiatives.
Working closely with the Vice President for Development and other senior administrators in
Bethlehem and in Washington, DC, the Director is responsible for working with the staff to develop
and implement strategic initiatives, supervise and evaluate staff performance, and to adhere to
University policies and procedures.

Main Responsibilities:
1-Build upon and enhance the successes of engagements with major donors ($100,000 plus),
especially among Palestinians in Palestine as well as in the Diaspora;
2-Establish successful high-level volunteer committees to support fundraising initiatives, especially among Palestinians in Palestine as well as in the Diaspora;
3-Directly manage a portfolio of at least 100 special and major individual and organizational donor prospects to raise at least $1 million per year;
4-Enhance and oversee stewardship activities (i.e., recognition and cultivation) as well as
identification, cultivation, and solicitation activities within the Alumni Office and Guest Relations Office;
5-Assist Communications and Development colleagues in developing and communicating key
messages about University priorities;
6-Conduct regular staff meetings to ensure coordination, strategic planning, implementation and
accountability;
7-Regularly provide evaluation and progress reports concerning staff and performance;
8-Assist the Vice President for Development with Advancement responsibilities as needed.

Periodic Duties:
1-Initiate and host cultivation and stewardship events to enhance the profile and connection of
donors with the University, especially those involving significant individual, foundation, and
organizational donors;
2-Identify potential donors by conducting prospect research on individuals and organizations and
maintaining up-to-date files on prospects;
3-Develop prospect and donor briefing memos;
4-Develop professional working relationships with key faculty members and administration of
Bethlehem University as well as with high level Palestinians in Palestine and the Diaspora;
5-Stay well briefed and keep senior administrators informed about significant issues affecting
Bethlehem University, its students, alumni, faculty, and staff – as well as other stakeholder
individuals and groups;
6-Identify funding opportunities among individuals and organizations, occasionally writing grant
proposals as well as reports to donors for implemented projects.

Executive Professional Responsibilities:
1-Professional confidentiality with regard to office matters, especially personal information
about graduates and students, donor identity, gift amounts, and donor interests.
2-Knowledge of and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Principles of Practice for Fund-Raising
Professionals at Educational Institutions of CASE.
3-Knowledge of and adherence to Bethlehem University’s Mission Statement and operating
policies and procedures.
4-Ability to supervise and establish effective working relationships with colleagues, graduates,
and students as well as volunteers.


Qualifications:
1-Bachelor’s Degree required, Masters desirable.
2-A minimum of three years of prior applicable work experience preferred, including
employment in the marketing, public relations, communications, or fund raising field with
demonstrated experience in persuasive writing and public speaking as well as initiating
contacts, generating support, and fostering volunteer relationships.
3-Strong facility and proficiency with technological skills, superior experience with Microsoft
Office Suites (Word, Excel, PPT, etc.) and other database software.
4-Strong English language written and oral communications skills with similarly strong Arabic
language skills desirable.
5-Outstanding organizational, interpersonal, and administrative skills with a strong ability to
positively engage a wide variety of Palestinian as well as international constituencies.
6-A self-starter able to exercise initiative and reliable judgment and who can effectively lead,
encourage, supervise and hold staff accountable.
7-Ability to handle multiple tasks and to be flexible while being organized and able to prioritize
one’s own workload as well as to lead and support staff in doing the same.
8-Demonstration of professional standards in appearance and actions.

Special Working Conditions:
1-Generally Monday through Friday with evening and weekend flexibility required, especially
considering responsibilities and travel involving colleagues in Washington DC and volunteers
and constituents in the Diaspora.
2-Ability to travel regionally and internationally.
3-Participate in Skype, conference call, and email communications with colleagues, volunteers,
and constituents in Washington DC and in the Diaspora.
4-Assist with activities associated with the office of Advancement both in Bethlehem and Washington DC.
5-Serve on University committees as appropriate.
6-Perform other related duties as assigned.

Emergency Need:
Should be available when work requires it. Some evenings and weekends.