Alumni Programme Manager

Job title: Alumni Programme Manager 

Reports to: Head of Business Development and Marketing 

Location: London

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a marketing and business development professional with experience in running an alumni programme.

This is a varied and exciting role supporting our firmwide alumni programme spanning the UK, the US, and Asia. The role is suited to someone with experience working on a similar programme at a large business organisation or educational establishment. It involves working collaboratively with other members of the marketing, business development, and communications teams, the firm's HR function, and with all those with an interest in or involvement with the alumni programme.

To succeed in this role, you will be confident in talking to people at all levels, including senior partners, directors, former employees, HR professionals, marketing colleagues, and administrators. You will bring passion and enthusiasm to your work and be able to work autonomously when needed.

We need someone with the experience and gravitas to understand what best practice looks like and the drive and persistence to see ideas through to execution.

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• Working alongside colleagues in marketing and HR to play a lead role in the development and launch of our alumni programme, including identifying the appropriate software, reviewing our strategic recommendations, and ensuring effective implementation. Central to the role is translating the firm's vision into practical actions that build brand positivity within the Withers alumni community.
• Ensuring that the programme is aligned with the firm's strategy and culture.
• Establishing key channels to reach out to alumni (including but not limited to the website, newsletters, and social media) and developing an approach to engage with alumni.
• Maintaining a watching brief on our alumni strategy, reviewing progress against objectives, and advising on any adjustments needed.
• Overseeing and managing our alumni budget.
• Working with our campaigns team and business development group to generate compelling content and physical touchpoints, including events.
• Ensuring that our activities achieve profile, reaching alumni via a dedicated area on our website, social media engagement, and newsletters.
• Working with our wider marketing team to run events in key locations across our network.
• Collaborating with the HR function and CRM database team to generate our alumni group and agree on protocols for who to include and exclude from the programme, and reviewing periodically.
• Reporting back periodically to firm leadership on successes and potential improvements to the programme.
• Working with the alumni programme sponsor to promote alumni internally, in conjunction with our Internal Comms team.
• Working with the HR team to support and facilitate recruitment activities via the alumni programme.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include undertaking additional tasks as required.

Skills and attributes

• Passionate, ambitious, and enthusiastic: Demonstrates a genuine interest in alumni relations and a drive to excel.
• Experience: Proven track record in running an alumni programme at a large organisation or educational establishment.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with alumni software, CRM systems, and social media platforms.
• Creativity and Innovation: Brings fresh ideas and a creative approach, always seeking ways to enhance our initiatives.
• Organisational Skills: Highly organised, capable of managing daily deadlines while keeping an eye on long-term objectives.
• Communication Skills: Strong communicator with the ability to persuasively convey the value of alumni engagement to various stakeholders within the firm.
• Attention to Detail: High level of attention to detail and a passion for processes.
• Persistence and Tenacity: Demonstrates the determination to follow through on ideas and see projects to their natural conclusion.
• Emotional Intelligence: Able to adapt communication style to different audiences and teams, showing empathy and understanding.
• Growth Opportunities: Recognises and seizes opportunities to grow the role, identifying new ways to market the firm and enhance the alumni programme.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and foster a team-oriented culture.
• Cultural Awareness: Understanding of cultural differences and the ability to engage with alumni from diverse backgrounds.

The essentials

• 9.30 am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must as this role will involve working alongside teams to meet deadlines, running and attending alumni events and supporting the firm in developing relationships.
• Hybrid working policy with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.
• 12 week probation period.
• 12 week notice period.
• Flexible benefit package including pension, private medical insurance, denplan, season ticket loan, discounted gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, the ability to buy and sell holidays, flu jabs, doctors consultation service, cycle to work scheme, on site café and more.

About Marketing and Business Development at Withers

• 28 marketers in London, around 50 internationally. A team of specialists in their areas (BD, Digital, Events, Brand, PR, Internal Communications) but who are happy to roll their sleeves up to help each other out with all sorts of projects whenever needed.
• Whilst we are a busy team, we provide a supportive work environment. We invest in training and give people the opportunity to build and develop their careers with us. We are focused on developing a culture of excellence within our team. Many members of the team study to improve their knowledge of their areas. CIM and other marketing/business qualifications are also encouraged and supported.

About Withers

Withers has been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for over 125 years. We advise clients on the full range of their business, personal and philanthropic legal needs, both at home and abroad. With offices in the key financial centres of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United States and the Caribbean, we provide coverage and services that other law firms focussed on the needs of the individual cannot.  We have represented 75% of the Top 100 in The Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the Forbes 400 List, 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List, and 35% of Forbes Asia's Richest Families list. In 2018 Withers became one of the first law firms to adopt fully agile working practices with people splitting their time between their home and the office. 

Information for recruitment agencies

Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withersworldwide operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal opportunities employment statement 

It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.