Director, Student and Academic Engagement (AHLAF)

The hotel and lodging industry is vibrant, innovative, and full of dynamic opportunities for upward mobility while serving (and supporting) its most important assets: its people. The AHLA Foundation works to inspire, support, and advance the people who make this industry strong. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. The Foundation is a dynamic, entrepreneurial organization poised for growth. The Director would join a nimble, collaborative team passionate about elevating the hotel workforce.

Position Summary

The AHLA Foundation is seeking a Director of Student and Academic Engagement. This position will report to the Vice President, Industry and Stakeholder Engagement and will be responsible for driving strategic implementation of academic-related initiatives to support the recruitment, professional development, and career entry of students. Managing and administering its academic programs and partnerships, including a robust scholarship fund, campus activities, and expanded efforts to expose high school and vocational students to the hotel and lodging industry. The successful candidate will be able to support strategic goals within this specific program area, as well as across the organization in collaboration with similarly focused program directors, to increase efficiency and impact. The Director will report to the Vice President, Industry and Stakeholder Engagement. This position is a people manager, with at least one direct report.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Manage and sustain annual postsecondary academic scholarship program, including the creation of strategic and detailed work plans across activities, timelines, and budget and accounting processes.
• Identify, maintain, and expand relationships with affiliated universities and academic leaders who support scholarship administration. 
• Identify and lead partnerships with high school-affiliated organizations and other third-party academic partner organizations.
• Lead the Foundation’s travel scholarship program - giving students the opportunity to attend major industry conferences and events - including on-site engagement of student participants and volunteers, and relevant faculty members.
• Lead AHLA’s campus chapters, including strategy development, curriculum and activities oversight, and ongoing communication.
• Other program leadership as strategy continues to evolve.

Strategy and Measurement

• Collaborate with the VP of Industry and Stakeholder Engagement in the strategic planning of student and academic-facing programs, acting as a key player in converting defined strategies into program management plans and working across the Foundation team to successfully complete deliverables. 
• Support the commission of research through AHLA Foundation academic partners.
• Source outcome-centered data points and qualitative insights to convey impact of academic programs, supporting both Foundation fundraising and marketing and communications.
• Identify opportunities to increase impact and efficiency across programs areas to streamline external communications and program development and delivery.
• Support program reporting, including outcome tracking, to include annual report on program strengths and opportunities.
• Collaborate with development team to continuously align academic program goals and deliverables with funding opportunities and commitments.
• Serve as organizational representative at relevant internal/external meetings and events.
• Compile monthly program progress reports for Foundation Leadership team.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or related experience.
• 7-10 years of experience in stakeholder engagement; experience with nonprofit and/or student populations and academia a plus.
• Proven project management experience - including management of multiple projects simultaneously - and familiarity with program monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience managing a minimum of 1-2 direct reports.

Skills and Attributes

• Computer and software literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and CRMs – Salesforce preferred. 

• The ability to source, analyze, and report on data, including presenting organized themes and findings to the leadership team.
• Exercise daily problem-solving and strategic decision-making.

• Positive attitude with customer service orientation and willingness to be flexible to adapt to changing needs and "roll up shirtsleeves" to get the work done.
• Proven communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to clearly articulate program impact and outcomes to connect with participants, stakeholders, and funders.
• Excellent relationship management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across the organization, while maintaining attention to detail and “managing up” effectively.  
• Ability to work under pressure, meeting key and project reporting deadlines.
• Strong strategic thinking skills with an ability to identify challenges and opportunities to meet organizational, program participant, and both funder and industry needs.

Other

• Position based in the Washington DC area 
• Ability to travel (10-25%)
• Rotating hybrid work schedule: In-office Tues-Thurs and Mon-Thurs every other week.
• Salary: $90,000-$100,000

 AHLA is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Work From Home
• Free Food & Snacks