Russell Reynolds Associates has been exclusively retained for this search. Given the need for confidentiality throughout this process, prospective candidates are invited to reach out directly to our search consultants at AAUMCEO@russellreynolds.com with a resume and brief explanation of interest.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, the President and CEO will set the Alumni Association's mission and strategic direction. In addition, the President and CEO will direct and oversee the day-to-day activities of the Alumni Association including alumni engagement, finance, and university relations to ensure the strongest bond between the University and its alumni. 

The President and CEO will be accountable for the overall strategic, operational, and financial success of the organization. They will work with the Board of Directors to shape the Alumni Association's vision, mission and strategies to better connect alumni to the University. Central to the CEO's success will be their ability to improve the quality, effectiveness, and reach of the programs  including digital initiatives and programs and services the Alumni Association provides to more than 300,000 engaged Michigan alumni globally. The CEO will be responsible for defining, strengthening, and managing engagement activities of the Alumni Association. In addition, the CEO will foster increased collaboration across the University and its leadership to prioritize and clearly communicate shared goals and priorities. The President and CEO will maintain a commitment to the core values and mission of the Alumni Association, providing a high level of programs and services to Alumni as well as respecting and valuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. 

Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the President and CEO oversees more than 70 full-time employees who provide programs and services to University of Michigan alumni. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Strategic Planning and Management: shape and manage the organization's strategic plan; design and implement new initiatives and approaches to achieve it. Drive transformational efforts within the organization to grow impact, resources, and membership, in close collaboration with the Board of Directors. 
• Programs & Services: oversee all aspects of the development, planning and execution of the Alumni Association's engagement activities  both in-person and virtual. Continue to drive increased engagement and participation across existing and new programs. 
• Fundraising: work with the Alumni Association Development staff, in close collaboration with the University's development team, to identify and cultivate donors. 
• Leadership and Team Management: promote a culture of high performance, inclusion and belonging, and continuous improvement that values learning, collaboration, and commitment to quality and impact and a commitment to embodying AAUM's core values. Hire, retain, and develop top talent. 
• Financial and Risk Management: ensure the continued financial viability of the Alumni Association through sound fiscal management; align capital expenditures successfully with enterprise risk tolerance and growth needs. With the Chief Financial Officer, oversee financial and risk management functions for the organization and its assets.

The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan (AAUM) seeks an entrepreneurial, experienced, and global leader of unquestioned integrity, intellectual breadth, convening power, and notable achievement in the non-profit, academic, government, and/or business sectors to be its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

The ideal candidate will be a thoughtful and inspiring leader and manager able to act as a strategic partner to the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association. They will bring a global perspective and will be skilled in leading a comparably scaled organization or complex department of highly talented professionals. They will have a track record of success leading a nonprofit, academic, private, or public enterprise with a diverse constituency and broad scope. As a steward of Alumni Association resources, this individual will be adept at listening, informing, and defining a strategic vision, coupled with a willingness to be accountable for the oversight of implementation.

The President and CEO must possess the business acumen, management and leadership skills necessary to lead the organization through a time of evolution and change. The ideal candidate will have experience working closely with a board, staff, partners, and other constituents to achieve ambitious goals in a fiscally responsible manner, outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to represent the Alumni Association effectively with a diversity of audiences, including current students and Alumni themselves. 

The candidate will foster an environment of creativity and innovation, lead an exceptional team with deep content expertise, and also provide the overarching leadership necessary to advance new initiatives. Through constructive dialogue, they will establish strategic partnerships and relationships around the world, while honoring the legacy and history of the Alumni Association and respecting and promoting its culture and values. The candidate will bring a deep appreciation for the global community of Michigan alumni and will demonstrate intercultural and international sensitivity and understanding. 

The President and CEO will be a seasoned professional who leads through influence rather than hierarchy and has demonstrated their ability to achieve real impact across a complex organization; a collaborative leader able to provide clear guidance and to act decisively when necessary; someone skilled in translating vision and strategy into reality. The ideal candidate will be a confident executive who is comfortable working at both a high level as well as in the details to ensure direct reports are achieving metrics, meeting budgets, and providing exceptional support to the Michigan Alumni community. 

A global mind-set and true interest in working with the Michigan community is essential for this role. Extensive knowledge of the University of Michigan is highly desirable. 

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following: 

• Strategic and Inspirational Leadership: The candidate will be a strategic thinker who will work with the Alumni Association's Board of Directors and senior leadership team to inspire and cultivate vision. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated record of identifying needs, setting priorities, strategic planning, and leading organizations to success. They will be capable of working with and convening others to develop different strategies to address disparate audiences and international contexts. The candidate will have a strong understanding of the value in digital engagement through the effective use of big data, data analytics and social media. 
• Building Relationships and Using Influence: The candidate will be a natural relationship builder who can navigate the University's complex organizational structure and global alumni network. The candidate will feel comfortable cultivating relationships through influence rather than through positional authority. This individual will have the relationship-building skills necessary to lead the fundraising efforts, including a team of fundraising experts, on behalf of the organization. 
• Communication Skills: As the most visible, active, and accessible relationship-builder at the Association, they will have the ability to connect with and engender trust from the Board, staff, University faculty and administration, and the global alumni community. The individual will feel comfortable articulating the Alumni Association's vision and direction to large audiences, often in international settings, as well as be effective in one-on-one meetings and interactions. 
• Demonstrated Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: The candidate will bring a demonstrated personal and professional commitment to DEIJ; displaying cultural competence while operating in an environment with a wide range of constituents and communities. Furthermore, they will have experience translating an organization's diversity and inclusion and core values and commitments into specific strategies and actions. 
• Leading, Managing, and Inspiring Teams: The candidate will have demonstrated skills in organizational development, with the ability to champion digital technology and initiatives, and bring in and empower staff. The candidate will build an open working relationship with an engaged Board of Directors and collaborate with the senior leadership team to develop an overall strategy, allocate resources, and set high-level implementation goals and priorities. The ideal candidate will have the interpersonal skills, charisma, and intellect needed to recruit, retain, motivate, and inspire a diverse and inclusive team, board members, Alumni, and partners. They will be an active listener, demonstrate AAUM's core values including respect for others and, in turn, gain their respect. 
• Executing for Results: The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance. They will lead with passion, humility, courage intelligence, energy and respect. The candidate will foster a culture of engagement and empowerment, convening and leading diverse constituencies from across the organization and country to achieve excellence. The candidate will have the ability to identify and discern issues and opportunities, set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, inspire both staff and Alumni, assure accountability, and allocate resources to ensure results.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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