alumni_lookup

Champion Portal — Jobs to be Done (JTBD)

Version: 2.0
Last Updated: January 2026
Audience: Marketing, Product, Executive Leadership, Engineering
Status: Living Document — Phase 1 Complete, Phase 3 Complete

Purpose: This document guides feature prioritization and marketing messaging based on user motivations. Review quarterly and update as we learn from real Champion usage.

Table of Contents

  1. What is Jobs to be Done?
  2. Champion Jobs to be Done
  3. CLC Jobs to be Done
  4. Engagement Team Jobs to be Done
  5. Job Priority Matrix
  6. Mapping Jobs to Features & Phases
  7. Marketing Messaging by Job
  8. Competitive Alternatives
  9. Success Metrics by Job
  10. Strategic Recommendations

1. What is Jobs to be Done?

The Jobs to be Done (JTBD) framework focuses on what people are trying to accomplish, not just what features they want. When someone “hires” a product, they’re hiring it to do a job for them.

The JTBD Statement Format

When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [expected outcome].

This framework helps us:

Why This Matters for the Champion Portal

Champions don’t wake up thinking “I want a web portal.” They think:

The Champion Portal succeeds when it helps Champions accomplish these jobs better than their current alternatives (Facebook groups, email chains, doing nothing).

2. Champion Jobs to be Done

Core Functional Jobs

These are the primary things Champions are trying to accomplish:

Job C1: Find My Tribe

When I move to a new city or want to expand my Belmont network, I want to find other Champions/alumni nearby, so I can build meaningful local connections.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Ask on Facebook, search LinkedIn, email Engagement Team
Features That Address This Directory, Search, Profile visibility
Phase Phase 1

Marketing Angle: “Find your Bruins. Wherever you land.”

Job C2: Be Found by Others

When I want to be available to fellow Bruins, I want to have a visible profile with the right information, so I can be discovered by Champions who could benefit from connecting with me.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround None (Champions can’t opt-in to being found)
Features That Address This Profile Management, Privacy Controls
Phase Phase 1

Marketing Angle: “Make it easy for your people to find you.”

Job C3: Host a Local Gathering

When I want to bring alumni together in my city, I want to easily organize and promote an event, so I can create connection without bureaucratic friction.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔶 High
Current Satisfaction ⚠️ Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Email CLC/Engagement Team, create Facebook event, word of mouth
Features That Address This Event Submission, CLC Approval, Event Calendar
Phase Phase 2

Marketing Angle: “Host a meetup in minutes, not days.”

Job C4: Share Good News

When I have a story worth celebrating (promotion, publication, award, life milestone), I want to share it with my Champion community, so I can inspire others and stay visible.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔶 High
Current Satisfaction ⚠️ Low
Opportunity Score 🔶 Medium-High
Current Workaround Post on social media (mixed audience), email Engagement Team
Features That Address This Story Submission, News Feed
Phase Phase 2

Marketing Angle: “Celebrate wins with people who get it.”

Job C5: Stay in the Loop

When I’m busy with life but want to stay connected to Belmont, I want to see what’s happening without active effort, so I can feel part of the community even when I’m not contributing.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔶 High
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Occasional email newsletters, social media
Features That Address This Dashboard, Activity Feed, Discussion Boards
Phase Phase 1 (Dashboard), Phase 3 (Boards)

Marketing Angle: “Your Belmont feed. No algorithms. Just community.”

Job C6: Connect Directly with Someone

When I find a Champion with shared interests or expertise, I want to reach out to them directly, so I can start a conversation without sharing my personal contact info publicly.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔶 High
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Find them on LinkedIn, ask Engagement Team for introduction
Features That Address This Contact Button, Email Relay, Direct Messaging
Phase ✅ Phase 1.7 (Complete — In-App Messaging)

Marketing Angle: “Say hello without giving away your inbox.”

Job C7: Give Back Without the Hassle

When I want to support Belmont or fellow alumni, I want to find simple ways to contribute (donate, mentor, volunteer), so I can make an impact without navigating bureaucracy.

Attribute Value
Importance 🟢 Medium
Current Satisfaction ⚠️ Low
Opportunity Score 🔶 Medium
Current Workaround Visit giving website, respond to email appeals
Features That Address This Giving Links, Mentorship Program
Phase Phase 2

Marketing Angle: “One place to give, mentor, and volunteer.”

Job C8: Explore Beyond My City

When I’m traveling or interested in connecting with Champions in another city, I want to see what’s happening there, so I can attend events or meet people when I visit.

Attribute Value
Importance 🟢 Medium
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🔶 Medium
Current Workaround Ask in Facebook groups, search LinkedIn by location
Features That Address This Visit Mode, City Switcher
Phase Phase 5

Marketing Angle: “Bruins are everywhere. Find them.”

Emotional Jobs

Beyond functional tasks, Champions have emotional needs:

Job C9: Feel Like I Belong

When I’m far from Nashville or years past graduation, I want to feel part of something bigger, so I can maintain my Belmont identity as part of who I am.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ⚠️ Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Annual events, occasional emails, nostalgia
Features That Address This Entire portal experience, Dashboard, City community
Phase All Phases

Marketing Angle: “Once a Bruin, always a Bruin. Now with a home base.”

Job C10: Feel Recognized for Contributing

When I put effort into being a Champion, I want to see that my contributions matter, so I can feel valued and motivated to continue.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔶 High
Current Satisfaction ⚠️ Low
Opportunity Score 🔶 Medium-High
Current Workaround Occasional thank-you emails, annual recognition
Features That Address This Activity visibility, contribution tracking, recognition features
Phase Phase 1 (Profile), Phase 6 (Reporting)

Marketing Angle: “Every event you host, every connection you make—it counts.”

3. CLC Jobs to be Done

Community Leader Council members have unique coordination responsibilities:

Job L1: Know My City’s Champions

When I’m leading Champions in my city, I want to see who’s active and engaged, so I can coordinate effectively and welcome new members.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Maintain personal spreadsheet, ask Engagement Team
Features That Address This CLC Dashboard, City Directory, Activity Indicators
Phase Phase 1

Marketing Angle: “Your city at a glance. Who’s in, who’s active, what’s happening.”

Job L2: Approve Events Quickly

When a Champion submits an event, I want to review and approve it easily, so I can keep things moving without bottlenecks.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low (process doesn’t exist yet)
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Email threads with multiple back-and-forths
Features That Address This Event Queue, Approval Workflow, One-Click Approve
Phase Phase 2

Marketing Angle: “Approve events in 60 seconds, not 6 emails.”

Job L3: Communicate with My City

When I have news or announcements for my city’s Champions, I want to reach them all at once, so I can keep everyone informed without individual emails.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔶 High
Current Satisfaction ⚠️ Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround BCC email lists, Facebook group posts
Features That Address This City Discussion Board, Pinned Announcements
Phase Phase 3

Marketing Angle: “One post reaches your whole city. Instantly.”

Job L4: Keep Discussions On-Track

When discussions go off-topic or problematic content appears, I want to moderate effectively, so I can maintain a welcoming community.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔶 High
Current Satisfaction N/A (new capability)
Opportunity Score 🔶 Medium
Current Workaround Report to Engagement Team, manage Facebook group
Features That Address This Moderation Tools, Flag/Remove, Edit/Lock
Phase Phase 3

Marketing Angle: “Your community, your standards.”

4. Engagement Team Jobs to be Done

Staff supporting the Champion program have operational needs:

Job E1: Verify Champions Quickly

When someone signs up to be a Champion, I want to match them to their alumni record fast, so I can give them access and keep onboarding momentum.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ⚠️ Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Manual lookup in Alumni Lookup, update spreadsheet
Features That Address This Verification Queue, BUID Search, One-Click Link
Phase Phase 1

Marketing Angle (Internal): “Verify a Champion in 2 minutes, not 15.”

Job E2: See the Big Picture

When I’m reporting to leadership or planning strategy, I want to see Champion activity metrics at a glance, so I can demonstrate value and identify opportunities.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Manual spreadsheet tracking, anecdotal evidence
Features That Address This Activity Dashboard, City Health Metrics, Reports
Phase Phase 1B (foundation) → Phase 6 (advanced)

Marketing Angle (Internal): “Real numbers, real insights, no spreadsheets.”

Job E3: Keep CRM in Sync

When Champions update their profiles, I want to export changes to our CRM, so I can maintain data integrity across systems.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Manual re-entry of any changes Champions report
Features That Address This CRM Export, Change Log, Batch Download
Phase Phase 1

Marketing Angle (Internal): “Profile changes flow to Salesforce. Automatically.”

Job E4: Reduce Repetitive Work

When I’m spending time on routine admin tasks, I want to automate or delegate where possible, so I can focus on relationship building.

Attribute Value
Importance 🔥 Critical
Current Satisfaction ❌ Very Low
Opportunity Score 🎯 High
Current Workaround Accept the manual workload
Features That Address This Self-service profiles, CLC delegation, automated workflows
Phase All Phases

Marketing Angle (Internal): “Let Champions help themselves. You focus on strategy.”

5. Job Priority Matrix

This matrix helps prioritize which jobs matter most based on importance (how critical the job is) and satisfaction gap (how poorly current solutions address it).

High Opportunity Jobs (Prioritize These)

Job ID Job Importance Satisfaction Opportunity
C1 Find My Tribe 🔥 Critical ❌ Very Low 🎯 Highest
C2 Be Found by Others 🔥 Critical ❌ Very Low 🎯 Highest
C9 Feel Like I Belong 🔥 Critical ⚠️ Low 🎯 Highest
E1 Verify Champions Quickly 🔥 Critical ⚠️ Low 🎯 Highest
L1 Know My City’s Champions 🔥 Critical ❌ Very Low 🎯 Highest
C5 Stay in the Loop 🔶 High ❌ Very Low 🎯 High
C6 Connect Directly 🔶 High ❌ Very Low 🎯 High
E2 See the Big Picture 🔥 Critical ❌ Very Low 🎯 High
E3 Keep CRM in Sync 🔥 Critical ❌ Very Low 🎯 High
E4 Reduce Repetitive Work 🔥 Critical ❌ Very Low 🎯 High

Medium Opportunity Jobs

Job ID Job Importance Satisfaction Opportunity
C3 Host a Local Gathering 🔶 High ⚠️ Low 🔶 Medium-High
C4 Share Good News 🔶 High ⚠️ Low 🔶 Medium-High
C10 Feel Recognized 🔶 High ⚠️ Low 🔶 Medium-High
L2 Approve Events Quickly 🔥 Critical N/A 🔶 Medium-High
L3 Communicate with My City 🔶 High ⚠️ Low 🔶 Medium-High

Lower Priority Jobs (Still Valuable)

Job ID Job Importance Satisfaction Opportunity
C7 Give Back Without Hassle 🟢 Medium ⚠️ Low 🟢 Medium
C8 Explore Beyond My City 🟢 Medium ❌ Very Low 🟢 Medium
L4 Keep Discussions On-Track 🔶 High N/A 🟢 Medium

6. Mapping Jobs to Features & Phases

This shows how development phases align with job priorities. Updated January 2026 to reflect actual implementation.

✅ Phase 1: Foundations (Complete — January 2026)

Jobs Addressed: C1, C2, C5, C6, C9, C10 (partial), L1, E1, E3, E4 (partial)

Phase 1 delivered 11 sub-phases addressing the highest-opportunity jobs:

Sub-Phase Feature Primary Jobs Status
1.1 Authentication (Google SSO, email/password) C9, E1 ✅ Complete
1.2 Profile Wizard (multi-step onboarding) C2, C10, E3 ✅ Complete
1.3 Champion Directory (search, filters, privacy) C1, L1 ✅ Complete
1.4 Dashboard (personalized home) C5, C9 ✅ Complete
1.5 Champion Verification (staff workflow) E1 ✅ Complete
1.6 CRM Export (profile changes) E3, E4 ✅ Complete
1.7 In-App Messaging (threads, notifications, muting) C6 ✅ Complete
1.8 Champion Events (submission, admin management) C3, L2 ✅ Complete
1.9 Pre-Beta Polish (settings, help/FAQ, visual refresh) C9 ✅ Complete
1.10 Community News Posts (district-targeted announcements) C5, L3 ✅ Complete
1.11 Admin Event Management (Lookup Portal event tools) E4 ✅ Complete

Strategic Value: Phase 1 delivered the directory + messaging combination that addresses the top opportunity jobs. Champions can find each other AND connect directly.

Key Decision: In-App Messaging (originally Phase 4) was moved to Phase 1.7 because Job C6 “Connect Directly” is high-opportunity — waiting months would mean Champions discover each other but can’t reach each other.

✅ Phase 3: Discussion Boards (Complete — January 2026)

Jobs Addressed: C5, L3, L4

Sub-Phase Feature Primary Jobs Status
3.1 Discussion Boards Infrastructure C5 ✅ Complete
3.2 Board Participation (post, comment, react) C5, L3 ✅ Complete
3.3 Moderation & Admin Tools L4 ✅ Complete

Strategic Value: Phase 3 creates ongoing engagement between events. Addresses the “stay in the loop” job with community discussions.

✅ Phase 2: Community Leadership (Complete — January 2026)

Jobs Addressed: L1, L2, L3

Sub-Phase Feature Primary Jobs Status
2.1 Model Refactor (ClcAssignment → Community) L1 ✅ Complete
2.2 Admin CL Assignment Interface L1, L2 ✅ Complete
2.3 Lookup Portal Permission System E4 ✅ Complete
2.4 Action Items Notifications E4 ✅ Complete

Strategic Value: Phase 2 enables staff to assign Champions as Community Leaders and provides granular permission controls. CL Portal features (moderation queue, leadership dashboard) were implemented with Phase 3.

📋 Phase 4: Mobile-First UI Cleanup (Planned)

Jobs Addressed: C9 (belonging via polish)

Feature Primary Jobs Opportunity
Component Polish (buttons, cards, spacing) C9 🟢 Medium
Responsive Audit (all views) C9 🟢 Medium
Performance Optimization C9 🟢 Medium

Strategic Value: Phase 4 ensures the portal feels warm and professional on mobile devices where most Champions access it. See Phase 4 README for detailed planning.

📋 Phase 5: Pre-MVP Updates (Planned)

Jobs Addressed: C7, C8

Feature Primary Jobs Opportunity
Non-Alumni Support (parents, friends) — 🟢 Medium
Almost Alumni (graduating seniors) — 🟢 Medium
Advanced Search C1, C8 🔶 Medium-High

Strategic Value: Phase 5 expands the platform’s reach before general availability.

📋 Phase 6: Advanced Reporting (Future)

Jobs Addressed: E2 (advanced), C10

Feature Primary Jobs Opportunity
City Health Metrics E2, L1 🎯 High
Champion Recognition System C10 🔶 Medium-High
Automated Reports E2, E4 🔶 Medium-High

Strategic Value: Phase 6 adds advanced analytics to enable deeper insights and automated reporting.

7. Marketing Messaging by Job

Use these angles when marketing to different audiences:

For Champion Recruitment

Job Headline Supporting Message
C1 “Find your Bruins. Wherever you land.” Move to a new city? We’ll show you who’s already there.
C2 “Make it easy for your people to find you.” Create a profile and let fellow Bruins discover you.
C9 “Once a Bruin, always a Bruin.” Your Champion Portal is your home base—no matter how far you roam.
C5 “Stay connected without the effort.” See what’s happening in your city without digging through emails.

For CLC Recruitment

Job Headline Supporting Message
L1 “Your city at a glance.” See who’s active, welcome new Champions, coordinate with confidence.
L2 “Approve events in 60 seconds.” No more email chains. One-click approval gets events on the calendar.
L3 “One post reaches your whole city.” Announcements, updates, celebrations—instantly delivered.

For Internal Stakeholders

Job Headline Supporting Message
E1 “Verify a Champion in 2 minutes.” Streamlined workflow means faster onboarding.
E2 “Real numbers, real insights.” Dashboards show exactly what’s happening across the network.
E4 “Let Champions help themselves.” Self-service means less admin, more relationship building.

Tagline Options

8. Competitive Alternatives

Understanding what Champions use today helps position the portal:

Alternative What It Does Well What It Lacks
Facebook Groups Familiar, easy conversation No directory, no structure, no data ownership, algorithm-driven
LinkedIn Professional networking No Champion identity, no Belmont coordination, no event workflow
Email Lists Reliable delivery One-way, no community, no self-service
Doing Nothing No effort required Complete isolation, no community benefit

Positioning Statement

“The Champion Portal is the only place built specifically for Belmont Champions. Unlike Facebook groups (where you’re mixed with everyone else) or LinkedIn (where there’s no Champion identity), the Champion Portal gives you a dedicated home to find fellow Bruins, host events, and stay connected—all with data that stays with Belmont, not a tech company.”

9. Success Metrics by Job

Track whether we’re actually helping Champions accomplish their jobs:

Job C1: Find My Tribe

Metric Target Measurement
Directory searches per active user 2+ per month Analytics
Champions who view 5+ profiles 50% in first month Analytics
“I found Champions I didn’t know about” 70% agree Survey

Job C2: Be Found by Others

Metric Target Measurement
Profile completion rate 80%+ complete profiles Database
Profile views received Average 5+ per quarter Analytics
“My profile helped someone connect with me” 40% agree Survey

Job C9: Feel Like I Belong

Metric Target Measurement
Monthly active Champions 60%+ of verified Analytics
Return visits per month 3+ average Analytics
Net Promoter Score 50+ Survey
“I feel more connected to Belmont” 70% agree Survey

Job E4: Reduce Repetitive Work

Metric Target Measurement
Staff hours on Champion admin -50% reduction Time tracking
Champions verified per hour 10+ (vs. 4 today) Process timing
Support requests to Engagement Team -30% reduction Help desk

10. Strategic Recommendations

Based on this Jobs to be Done analysis:

✅ Phase Prioritization Decisions (Updated December 2025)

Based on JTBD analysis, the phase order has been updated:

Original Updated Rationale
Phase 4: Messaging Phase 1A: Quick Connect (Contact Button + Email Relay) Job C6 is high-opportunity; directory value multiplied by ability to connect
Phase 6: Reporting Phase 1B: Metrics Foundation (Activity Dashboard) Job E2 is critical for sustainability; measure from day one

New Phase Order:

Phase 1 → Phase 1A → Phase 1B → Phase 2 → Phase 3 → Phase 4 → Phase 5 → Phase 6

See phases/README.md for updated phase documentation.

Development Principles (Now Adopted)

1. Build the Measurement Tool with the Feature

Every feature phase includes its corresponding metrics:

This prevents “metrics debt” and enables early value demonstration.

2. Recognition at Every Opportunity

Job C10 (Feel Recognized) should inform every feature:

Guiding Question: For every new feature, ask: “How can we recognize the people who contribute?”

3. Warm, Not Sterile

The portal should feel like a community, not a corporate tool:

See development/DESIGN-GUIDELINES.md for visual standards.

Feature Recommendations

  1. ✅ Directory is the MVP. — DELIVERED: Phase 1.3 — The searchable Champion directory is live. Everything else builds on this.

  2. ✅ Add “Contact” early. — DELIVERED: Phase 1.7 — Full in-app messaging (not just email relay) dramatically increases directory value.

  3. ✅ Dashboard should show activity, not just announcements. — DELIVERED: Phase 1.4, 1.10 — Dashboard shows community activity, events, and news posts.

  4. ✅ Recognition matters. — ADOPTED as principle — Contributions visible throughout the portal.

Marketing Recommendations

  1. Lead with “Find your Bruins.” The directory solves the #1 pain point and has the clearest value prop.

  2. Differentiate from Facebook. Champions are tired of algorithms, ads, and mixed audiences. “Your community, no algorithms” resonates.

  3. Emphasize belonging, not just features. The emotional job (C9) is as important as functional jobs. Messaging should feel warm and welcoming.

  4. For CLCs, emphasize efficiency. “Run your city from one dashboard” appeals to their coordination needs.

Design Recommendations

  1. ✅ Warm, not sterile. — ADOPTED: DESIGN-GUIDELINES.md created — Use Belmont colors, real imagery, and friendly language.

  2. Mobile-first. Champions will use this on their phones. Every feature should work well on small screens.

  3. Images matter. Request authentic Belmont photography:

    • Campus imagery (tower, lawn, landmarks)
    • City skylines for Champion cities
    • Alumni at real events (not stock)
    • Profile placeholders that feel friendly

See development/DESIGN-GUIDELINES.md Section 10 for image request checklist.

Pilot Recommendations

  1. ✅ Validate with real Champions early. — IN PROGRESS — Nashville Champions piloting the portal.

  2. Track job completion, not just usage. Measure “did they find Champions they didn’t know about?” not just “did they search?”

  3. ✅ Watch messaging volume. — RESOLVED — Messaging moved to Phase 1.7; discussion boards in Phase 3. Both delivered.

Document Purpose
STAKEHOLDER-OVERVIEW.md Value propositions and feature details
README.md Technical overview
phases/ Detailed implementation plans
phases/phase-1/README.md Phase 1 complete — Foundations
phases/phase-3/README.md Phase 3 complete — Discussion Boards
phases/phase-4/README.md Phase 4 planning — Mobile Polish
development/DESIGN-GUIDELINES.md Visual design standards
features/ Feature specifications

This document should be reviewed quarterly and updated as we learn from real Champion usage.