We have ambitious plans, and we know the most critical step is building an incredible team that reflects the diverse fabric of our nation and embodies our values. Our team is made up of people who are equal parts dreamers and doers. We are people who care as much about how we achieve our goals as we do about the goals themselves. Our values drive our team and are instilled in the work this Foundation does every day. We are also committed to creating an anti-racist organization in order to do our part to help combat racism and inequity in all forms, in communities across our nation and around the world. Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of Role

As the Director of 44 Alumni & National Engagement, you’ll be reporting directly to the Vice President of Public Engagement, and will offer strategic leadership and oversight for the Foundation's nationwide engagement initiatives with 44 Alumni, national organizations, and key national stakeholders.

This position involves developing and implementing strategies to cultivate and mobilize a robust network of stakeholders across the country within these networks, thereby advancing the Foundation's mission and programmatic objectives.

This role is responsible for supporting a body of work that continues to define, celebrate, and extend the legacy of President and Mrs. Obama through the Foundation's work. Primarily this role will lead initiatives related to engaging 44 Alumni around the world in creative ways that leverage the power and influence of alumni, connect them to The Obama Foundation in meaningful ways ahead of the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, and engage a network of stakeholders who are a critical piece of the continued legacy of President and Mrs. Obama.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement a comprehensive Road to Open nationwide engagement strategy focused on aligning 44 Alumni and national organizations with the Foundations goals to increase visibility and awareness ahead of opening the Obama Presidential Center.

• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with the 44 Alumni community, national advocacy groups, industry associations, and influential individuals. Includes attending events and hosting briefings and tours as needed.

• 44 Alumni Donor Cultivation: Coordinate with the Development team in determining and implementing outreach efforts to 44 Alumni who would be development prospects including those who would be prospects for inclusion in the Donor Wall. Collaborate with Development on alumni inclusion in their Road to Open events.

• Research, Correspondence and Newsletter Lead: Research and manage lists of 44 Alumni in the news to spotlight and uplift via the alumni newsletter and correspondence. Manage the general 44alumni@ email inbox.

• Marketing and Communications Liaison: Collaborate with Marketing and Communications teams to determine 44 Alumni to be included in filming, editorial and social media efforts especially when paying tribute to legacy moments.

• 44 Alumni Event Coordinator: Serve as the point of contact to the Convenings and Development teams at The Obama Foundation, as well as the Obama Alumni Association, in inviting alumni to events. Design and facilitate Road to Open events in major cities focused solely on 44 Alumni engagement in addition to supporting self organized events in smaller cities. Organize the virtual Quarterly Zoom Series.

• Program Management: Connecting 44 Alumni to Obama Presidential Center Programming in addition to mentoring opportunities within Global Programs.

• Internal Representation: Provide guidance and support to Foundation teams and collaborators, ensuring alignment with national goals and facilitating effective engagement within local communities. Leads execution of internal 44 Alumni related meetings and follow up to ensure coordination across departments. This includes developing and serving as a representative for the Alumni Council.

• Data Analysis, Reporting and Salesforce Management: Works with foundation teams to update and manage 44 Alumni data in Salesforce and produce complete lists. Create reports and share metrics on the results and impact of 44 Alumni engagement activities. Analyze survey data and operationalize appropriately in response.

• Primary Tour Lead: Design the 44 Alumni tour plan for Preview Week and Grand Opening and serve as the primary tour lead for 44 Alumni who visit the campus before, during and after Grand Opening. Includes designing a benefit plan (if possible) for 44 Alumni who visit the campus post opening.

• Primary Lead for 44 Alumni and National Organizations during Preview Week and Grand Opening: Serve as the primary liaison to 44 Alumni invited to attend Preview Week and Grand Opening events. Coordinate the 44 Alumni invite list within broader foundation list building efforts and facilitate onsite 44 Alumni participation.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Design and oversee a Road to Open Strategy for 44 Alumni and national organizations.

• Expanded list of 44 Alumni as donors and received donations.

• Organize and facilitate the 44 Alumni Quarterly Zoom Series and newsletter

• Produced assets with 44 Alumni for Marketing and Communications purposes.

• Design and facilitate Road to Open events for 44 Alumni and national organizations

• 44 Alumni serving in programming and mentoring opportunities.

• Create and maintain data within Salesforce

• Implement and analyze surveys and responses.

• Determine 44 Alumni tour plan and possible benefits for post opening when 44 Alumni visit the campus.

• Determine invite list for Preview Week and Grand Opening events for 44 Alumni and national organizations.

• Create and maintain office memos and presentation decks relating to 44 Alumni and national organizations.

• Respond to emails in 44Alumni@obama.org inbox

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in progressively responsible roles in public engagement, government affairs, advocacy, or a related field.

• Proven track record of success in developing and executing national engagement strategies, including grassroots mobilization and advocacy campaigns.

• Deep understanding of the political landscape, policy issues, and stakeholder dynamics at the national level.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse audiences and effectively influence decision-makers.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage complex initiatives with multiple moving parts.

• Extensive project management and strategic planning experience at the management level

• Demonstrated experience in daily oversight and cultivation of major external partnerships to achieve enterprise wide goals

• Acute & proven ability to coach and manage junior level staff to achieve goals

• Experience working across teams, with senior leaders and C-suite level teams, and ability to mobilize teams

• Experience with managing and developing budgets, some knowledge of financial planning helpful

• Experience and knowledge of monitoring and evaluation techniques and principles to support strategic planning

• Experience in data analysis and reporting to inform strategic decision-making.

• Proven leadership abilities to motivate, manage, and mentor teams across multiple locations.

• Passion for the Obama Foundation's mission and values.

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, communications, or a related field.

• Member of the 44 alumni network is strongly preferred.

• Extensive experience in non-profit or advocacy organizations with a demonstrated track record of success in national engagement initiatives.

The salary range for this role is between $129,675 and $$162,070.

This is an in-office role based at our Chicago office.

Foundation Values

The Foundation Values are Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at careers@obama.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.