Selwyn College Cambridge
Cambridge
Part-time
Alumni and Events Assistant

Job Description

Working hours:

Part-time (up to 0.5 FTE/17.5 hours per week)

Supervised by:

Alumni and Events Officer

Line Manager:

Development Director

Contract type:

Permanent, subject to six-months’ probation

Purpose of the role

The Alumni and Events Assistant is an important post within the Alumni and Development
Office at Selwyn College.   The post offers an attractive range of responsibilities and career
development opportunities for an individual who is looking to become part of a successful
and well regarded team.   The small but increasingly busy alumni and development office is
responsible for keeping in touch with over 7,000 alumni of Selwyn College scattered all over
the  world.    The  organisation  of  regular  events  online  and  in  Cambridge  and  London  and
elsewhere is one of the most important and effective ways for the College to maintain and
develop its relationships with alumni, friends and other potential supporters; this position is
integral to that operation.

The role principally supports and complements the work of the Alumni and Events Officer
and  requires  following  established  administrative  procedures  that  ensure  that  event
information  and  attendees’  details  are  recorded  and  updated  accurately  on  the  database  –
Raiser’s Edge NXT for which training will be offered.  The post will also support running an
established programme of events and looking for new opportunities to engage with alumni
and friends of all ages.  Attendance at some but not all events will be required.  These take
place in evenings and occasional weekends and for which time off in lieu may be taken in
agreement with your manager.

The role will require liaison with individual alumni who contact or visit the office with a wide
variety of enquiries.  This requires sensitivity and tact, together with a mature and flexible
approach to communications using letter, email, phone or face to face as required.

Alumni & Events Assistant JD – August 2025

When  fully  staffed,  the  Alumni  and  Development  Department  will  comprise  the
Development  Director  (p/t),  the  Major  Gifts  and  Legacies  Manager  (f/t),  the  Development
Officer (f/t), Publications and Marketing Officer (f/t), Database Coordinator (p/t) the Alumni
and Events Officer (p/t) and this post.   Although each role has its own specific tasks to fulfil,
the  team  is  flexible  and works  closely  together during busy  periods.   As  a  member  of  this
close-knit team, the post can expect help and support as needed, as well as being expected to
reciprocate by helping with other fundraising and alumni activities as required.

There  is  potential  for  career  advancement,  so  it  may  especially  suit  a  candidate  with
aspirations for a more senior role.

Members of the Alumni and Development Office enjoy a light and spacious open plan office
within the recently refurbished former library building.  Team members are expected to work
from the office as this improves communication and learning, mutual support and efficiency.
Occasional working from home will be considered but working from the departmental office
is the norm and encouraged wherever possible.

Key duties and responsibilities

•  Assisting with the organisation of local, national and international events
•  Assisting the Alumni and Events Officer with sending out invitations and mailings

and taking ownership of key events.

•  Recording and responding to event bookings.
•  With  the  Database  Coordinator,  maintaining  accurate  records  and  updating  the
database  (Raiser’s  Edge)  on  a  daily  basis,  ensuring  that  information  is  entered
consistently, accurately and in a timely fashion.

•  Communicating  with  alumni  and  answering  queries  or  requests  in  a  polite  and

friendly manner.

•  Assisting with the organisation of Master’s Circle and Patrons events and attending

these and similar events as necessary.

•  Liaising with the College Archivist on occasions where access to archive material is

required

•  Alongside other team members, providing general administrative and office support

as required.

•  Occasional attendance at other events at College and elsewhere.
•  Performing any other duties that may from time to time be assigned by the Alumni

and Events Officer or Development Director.

Requirements for the role

Qualifications and skills

•  First degree or equivalent qualification is desirable, A’Levels or other relevant

experience, may be considered.

•  Good, accurate, computer skills, particularly with Word and Excel and a willingness

to undergo training for other IT skills that are required eg Raiser’s Edge

•  General office and administration skills.

Alumni & Events Assistant JD – August 2025

Person specification

•  Well organised and able to deal with several projects at once.
•  Attention to detail and accuracy.
•  Self-starter with an ability to manage own work-load
•  A mature approach to communicating with a wide variety of people, in person, in

writing and on the telephone.

•  Flexible and willing to adapt to the needs of the office.
•  Ability to work as member of a team.
•  Smart, professional appearance.

The above job description is a guide to the work you may be required to undertake but does
not form part of your contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect
the changing needs of the Development Office.

This part time role is advertised as up to 0.50 FTE, which may be worked over three days or
more flexibly.

Where you fit into the structure:

Development
Director

Alumni & Events
Officer

Database
Coordinator

Development Officer

Major Gifts &
Legacies Manager

Publications &
Marketing Officer

Alumni & Events
Assistant

Alumni & Events Assistant JD – August 2025