At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a vibrant alumni engagement programme and create networking opportunities.
- Company: Join Arden University, an innovative institution focused on accessible education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and free courses for you and your family.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to student success and lifelong learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting graduates and enhancing their career journeys.
- Qualifications: Experience in event management and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 56000 £ per year.
The role can be based in one of Arden’s campuses (Birmingham, London (Ealing, Holborn or Stratford) or Manchester) or as a remote working position within a commutable distance of one of these locations, with the ability to travel to our campuses when required (this is expected to be monthly, and will fluctuate in line with business need). This will include occasional travel to Berlin.
About Arden University: We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.
About our Department: Arden’s Careers, Employability & Alumni team is dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking. We empower students and graduates with personalised guidance, curriculum embedded careers education, and strong employer and alumni networks. Recently shortlisted for national awards, we’re a growing team making a real difference to student success and graduate outcomes.
About the Opportunity: As our Alumni Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of a vibrant alumni engagement programme that strengthens connections between Arden University and its graduates. Working within the Careers, Employability, Enterprise and Alumni team, you'll create opportunities for alumni to stay engaged with the University while supporting graduate progression, employability and lifelong learning.
You'll be responsible for planning and delivering a range of on-campus, hybrid and digital alumni activities, including events, engagement campaigns, networking opportunities and development initiatives. From managing alumni engagement pipelines and mentoring opportunities to overseeing our Always Arden alumni platform, you'll play a key role in creating a connected and thriving alumni community.
The role offers significant variety and stakeholder engagement. You'll collaborate with academic and professional services teams to embed alumni activity throughout the student journey, coordinate alumni contributions to employability initiatives, support graduation events across the UK and Berlin, and develop impactful alumni stories and case studies that inspire current and prospective students.
You'll also use data, feedback and insights to continually enhance our alumni offer, ensuring our activities remain relevant, engaging and aligned with Arden University's strategic priorities around progression, employability and lifelong learning.
About You: We're looking for an enthusiastic, organised and relationship-focused professional who enjoys bringing people together and creating engaging experiences. You'll have experience delivering events, programmes or engagement initiatives and be confident managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
A strong communicator, you'll be comfortable building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from alumni and students to academic colleagues and professional services teams. You'll have excellent presentation, facilitation and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to influence, collaborate and deliver shared outcomes across multiple teams.
You'll bring an understanding of graduate employability, progression and lifelong learning, together with experience of planning and delivering activity both in-person and online. Strong organisational skills, digital confidence and the ability to work independently while managing competing priorities are essential for success in this role.
Most importantly, you'll be passionate about creating meaningful alumni experiences, driven by continuous improvement and committed to helping graduates stay connected, develop their careers and remain part of the Arden community long after they complete their studies.
Application Process: As part of the application process you are required to submit a cover letter, which needs a clear introductory paragraph, and then includes two to three paragraphs which address your motivation for applying, your suitability for the position, and your interest in Arden University.
Why Arden: At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students' journeys are the best they can possibly be, as such we want to reward our people with fantastic benefits.
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on-top, and even a Christmas closure!
- A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
- BUPA Cash Plan
- Private Medical Insurance
- Access to Perkbox benefits
- Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends
- Plus, other excellent benefits
- Our ‘Golden Ticket’ which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education
Our Values: Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.
Closing Date: Tuesday 25th August. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that if you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Alumni Manager in Birmingham employer: Arden University
Arden University is an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling role in higher education, particularly in Birmingham. With a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and a supportive work culture, we prioritise employee growth and development, ensuring that our Associate Lecturers thrive in their teaching careers while making a meaningful impact on students' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Alumni Manager in Birmingham
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Arden University.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Arden University.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Arden University.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Arden University. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Alumni Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Arden University. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Alumni Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Arden University. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
