Front Desk Receptionist

The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health-system with its flagship campus located in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land- and sea-grant university focused on education, research, and service to the state of Connecticut and beyond. The University serves over 33,000 students across seven campuses, 8,550 first-in-family students, and boasts numerous national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider that delivers groundbreaking medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to over one million patients each year. In addition, UConn has nearly 300 scientists who are in the top 2 percent of researchers investigating everything from cancer to AI.

UConn continues its meteoric rise as New England's top public University with a record number of applications, continued investment in student success, health, and wellness, recruitment of top faculty, innovation in research, and top-tier athletic programs that also focus on the health and financial literacy of student-athletes. This includes the men's and women's basketball teams, which have brought home three consecutive NCAA National Championship trophies in the last three years. UConn is proud to have 26 national championships across all sports.

Guided by a new strategic plan and the public launch of its most ambitious campaign in history, Because of UConn The Campaign for UConn Nation, UConn is moving boldly into the future. The $1.5B comprehensive campaign spans all schools, colleges, campuses and UConn Health. The Campaign focuses on four pillars that will drive UConn, the state of Connecticut and the world forward. The Campaign pillars support UConn's 10-year Strategic Plan, designed to make education more affordable and a UConn degree more valuable by elevating UConn among its national peers.

• Students First: making transformative investments in financial aid, student health, career readiness, and life skills to improve time-to-degree and career outcomes.
• Academic & Innovation Excellence: driving investment in top faculty and graduate fellows and building the innovation ecosystem of the state and beyond.
• Health & Wellness of People & Planet: focusing on patient care, medical research, and development of life-changing technologies that improve healthcare outcomes.
• Husky Pride: investing in athletic excellence and supporting a thriving UConn Nation that includes more than 290,000 alumni worldwide.

Because of UConn will have a profound impact on the University. It will double the number of named scholarships, fund scientific breakthroughs and advanced lifesaving therapies, and engage UConn Nation in the life and mission of the University like never before.

We seek the top talent in the country to join Husky Nation and help us drive our mission and UConn into the future. We are committed to a caring and supportive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education.

We're looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of integrity, empathy, kindness, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to embracing the differences that make us stronger together.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate different perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. As an organization, we strive for continued growth each and every day.

Position Summary

The Front Desk Receptionist is responsible for front desk customer service and general administrative duties. In this role, you will manage the multiline phone system and respond to all inquiries via email, MS Teams, telephone and/or face to face interaction. You will be a front-facing customer service representative and a resource regarding the organization to all visitors, clients, and the general public as a whole. You will collaborate with Alumni Center administrative professionals as support for any/all administrative projects and/or responsibilities. You will also maintain the front desk operations manual and train student workers on front desk operations.

*This role will be in-person at the Alumni Center on UConn's Storrs campus five days per week (Monday through Friday).

In this role, you will:

• Present a professional and courteous impression to all visitors and coworkers as a representative of the Foundation.
• Monitor front entrance via video and open door for visitors as they arrive
• Greet all visitors to the Alumni building, maintain the visitor's log, validate parking. Direct guests to correct destinations.
• Train student workers to properly perform receptionist tasks, assign project tasks, and check to confirm tasks are completed per outlined instructions. Coordinate student work schedules.
• Answer incoming phone calls via a switchboard system, screen, and direct calls.
• Take and relay messages for staff when they are unavailable. Provide organization information to callers.
• Provide general administrative and clerical support for the Alumni Relations team.
• Manage reusable event supply inventory via a check out system
• Assist in administrative event needs, primarily name tag printing and organizing.
• Manage all package mailings for all FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc.
• Establish proficiency in central business tools including CRM database and event marketing tools.
• Respond to requests for alumni materials and general inquiries.
• Assist in various research projects utilizing web, database, or other research vehicles.
• Assist with administrative projects as assigned (i.e., mailings, thank you cards, etc.) and assign projects to Foundation Building Receptionist and/or student workers as needed.
• Maintain office supply inventory and ordering process for the building.
• Maintain the lobby displays and generate/execute ideas to update displays. Serve as contact person with the university for this system.
• Maintain security awareness and communicate any and all problematic occurrences involving staff or visitors to management to the Facilities Director
• Collaborate with Assistant Director of Facilities to assist with special events as needed and requested.
• Maintain a clean and professional reception desk area.
• Cover Foundation front desk during absence of Foundation Receptionist.
• Other duties as assigned.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as department meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be a champion for inclusive priorities both internally and externally.
• Demonstrate the ability to be congenial, professional, and effective when communicating with alumni, donors, Foundation staff, University staff, and visitors.
• Be a well-organized, self-starter who can manage time effectively and who has strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to meet deadlines, multitask, and shift priorities, as necessary.
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team to meet organizational goals.
• Exhibit strong customer service, organization skills, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate the ability to exercise independent judgment with regard to work responsibilities, prioritization of workload, and foreseeing the needs of the team.
• Demonstrate integrity in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
• Be dependable and flexible to adapt to change.

Education & Experience

• Associate's degree required. Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of related professional office experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (i.e., Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel). Demonstrated ability to work in multiple system environments.

Salary:

This is a non-exempt, hourly position. Assuming a 40 hour work week, the expected salary for this position is $50,000+. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b)-retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

Please inform a Human Resources Representative if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.