RWU Student Ambassador / Phonathon Manager
Job Description
Reporting to the Associate Director of Integrated Marketing Strategy for Annual Giving Programs, the Student Ambassador / Phonathon Manager will serve as a lead ambassador by establishing an open and engaging line of communication between RWU and its supporters and potential supporters.
This position requires strong management, verbal and written communication skills, a problem-solving mentality, the ability to think strategically in a fast-paced environment as well as a genuine affinity for RWU. Working on the phonathon team is an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge and expertise in communication, fundraising, public relations and student affairs. It’s also an excellent way to begin to develop management skills.
Student callers are vital to the success of fundraising at RWU and to maintaining strong relationships with alumni and parents. Students are the best ambassadors to talk about the RWU experience - because they’re living it!
To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to Teressa Cleary, Associate Director of Marketing Strategy for Annual Giving: tcleary@rwu.edu. In the email subject line, please include the name of the position for which you are apply and your name.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Under the direction of the Associate Director, manage a team of 4-8 student callers and report results to supervisor on a nightly basis.
- Establish a positive rapport with student callers and lead by example.
- Establish a positive rapport with the alumni, parents and friends you call.
- Gain a greater understanding of RWU, its organizational structure and its annual need for financial support.
- Arrive on time and with a positive attitude to scheduled sessions.
- Lead calls to constituents (alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of RWU) to build personal rapport, update demographic information and acquire donations to support the RWU Annual Fund.
- Write thank you notes as directed.
- Work with other student callers in a team-oriented environment to achieve institutional goals.
- Present RWU in a positive light with alumni, parents, peers and friends.
- Commit to a minimum of (2-3 shifts) per week.
- Handle all personal information with extreme confidentiality.
- Keep all donor information confidential. Prospect information, or discussion of it, is NOT permitted outside of the phonathon room.
- Maintain records of each evening’s calls and send reports to the Associate Director.
- Alert the Associate Director of donor problems or concerns.
- Refrain from using or having your cell phone out during calling sessions and make sure student callers are not on their phones either.
- Follow all other procedures and guidelines in the training manual.
- Have a great time and make new friends!
- Undertake other duties as assigned
Benefits
- Competitive wages: Phonathon managers make $11.00/hour, with opportunities for bonuses
- Build your resume: Develop strong fundraising, communication, management and marketing skills.
- Learn more: About philanthropy as a career option.
- Network: Converse with alumni in various professions throughout the country.
- Incentives: Snacks, pizza parties, bonuses and end-of-semester celebrations!
Phonathon cultivates important skills.
Phonathon managers contact alumni, parents and friends of RWU to update our contact information, share RWU news and current events and solicit contributions. Working at phonathon will enhance critical and practical skills that will serve you for a lifetime, in fields such as:
- communications
- public relations
- customer service
- non-profit
- marketing
- management
- sales
- finance
- student affairs
Phonathon prepares you for life after RWU.
Have you wondered about what you’ll be doing after you graduate? At phonathon you will gain valuable networking opportunities as you speak with alumni who are now living in the “real world.” Your conversations with alumni may help you find your own path! You will also gain valuable skills in management.
Phonathon has an impact on RWU.
Phonathon is important to RWU’s welfare. Callers are key figures in raising funds for RWU. The more money callers raise, the more funding RWU can devote to research and scholarships for students like you! It feels good to make such a difference.
Phonathon rewards its callers.
Of course, there are many rewards for callers’ hard work. Here are just a few examples:
- Bonuses
- Snacks and beverages
- Nightly games
If you’re looking for real-world work, you’re diligent and articulate, and you want to be
rewarded well, phonathon may be the job for you!
Qualifications and preferred skills:
- Enthusiasm for RWU and its mission.
- Effectiveness and genuine warmth in contact with others.
- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Management skills.
- Comfort in soliciting gifts from alumni and friends.
- Persistent in securing a pledge and negotiating the gift amount.
- Strong character, a positive attitude and the willingness to lead by example.
- Ability to work well independently and in a team setting.
- Current RWU undergraduate student, sophomore or older.
- Organizational abilities and strong attention to detail.
- Able to work two to three shifts per week. See working hours below.
Working Hours:
- Phonathon shifts run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. every other Sunday. Some special shifts may be scheduled.
- Students work a minimum of two shifts per week. Callers must commit to working the same nights on a regular basis (e.g. Sundays and Tuesdays every week).
*Students are prohibited from driving during work-study employment with the limited exception of authorized work-study driver positions.