Director of Alumni Relations

Agency

Department

This position is responsible for developing and executing a robust alumni engagement strategy that honors and strengthens beloved traditions while introducing innovative programs that meet the needs of a rapidly growing and evolving alumni population. The Director will oversee a highly visible calendar of alumni events and experiences, cultivate volunteer leadership, and provide strategic guidance to the University’s emerging Alumni Council.

The ideal candidate is an experienced alumni relations professional who understands the full lifecycle of alumni engagement, possesses exceptional relationship-building skills, and demonstrates the diplomacy, flexibility, and leadership necessary to work effectively with volunteers, university leadership, donors, and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities:
Strategic Alumni Engagement

• Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with the University’s mission, strategic priorities, and advancement goals.
  Create meaningful opportunities for alumni connection, service, mentorship, professional development, networking, advocacy, and philanthropy.

• Establish engagement pathways that reflect the unique experiences and needs of first-generation graduates, adult learners, military-affiliated alumni, and affinity-based alumni populations.

• Utilize engagement data and assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness and inform future initiatives.

• Collaborate across campus with academic and program stakeholders to strengthen alumni affinity and lifelong connections to the University.

Alumni Programs and Events

• Lead planning and execution of a comprehensive portfolio of alumni events, traditions, and signature programs.

• Preserve and enhance established alumni traditions while introducing innovative engagement opportunities that appeal to recent graduates and emerging alumni audiences.

• Manage alumni programming including homecoming activities, alumni awards, networking events, athletics rallies, reunions, volunteer recognition events, student-to-alumni transition programs, and other engagement initiatives.

• Oversee event logistics, budgeting, vendor relationships, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteer participation.

• Ensure exceptional event experiences that reflect the University’s values.

Alumni Leadership and Volunteer Management

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the University’s emerging Alumni Council.

• Provide strategic counsel, leadership development, governance support, and operational guidance to volunteer leaders and student employees.
  Foster productive relationships among alumni volunteers, university leadership, and advancement staff.

• Support the continued development and maturation of the Alumni Council as a representative and engaged alumni leadership body.

• Facilitate committee work, meetings, leadership transitions, and volunteer recruitment efforts. Navigate volunteer relationships with diplomacy, professionalism, and transparency.

Advancement Collaboration

• Partner closely with development, annual giving, communications, and university leadership teams to advance institutional priorities.

• Identify and cultivate alumni leaders, advocates, and prospective donors.

• Support philanthropic engagement efforts through alumni programming and relationship-building activities.

• Collaborate on campaigns, stewardship initiatives, and donor engagement opportunities involving alumni audiences.

Communications and Outreach

• Collaborate with communications staff to develop compelling alumni communications and storytelling strategies.

• Increase alumni participation through targeted outreach, digital engagement, and multichannel communications.

• Promote alumni accomplishments and strengthen alumni pride in the University.

Management and Administration

• Develop and manage annual budgets and operational plans.

• Establish goals, performance metrics, and engagement benchmarks.
  Maintain accurate records and reporting related to alumni engagement activities.

• Supervise volunteers and student employees, as applicable.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field.

• Ten (10) years of related experience in alumni relations or fundraising and familiarity with principles and practices of annual giving.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in applicable field.

• Experience working directly with alumni boards, councils, advisory groups, or volunteer leadership organizations.

• Experience launching, revitalizing, or growing alumni volunteer structures and advisory councils.

• Experience supporting governance discussions related to alumni associations, alumni councils, or volunteer leadership organizations.

• Experience utilizing CRM and alumni engagement platforms.

• Experience within a public university or comprehensive regional institution.

• Familiarity with serving first-generation student and alumni populations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated success planning and executing complex events and engagement programs.

• Strong understanding of alumni engagement best practices and the role of alumni relations within university advancement.

• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across a multicultural constituencies.

• Strong organizational, project management, and budget management skills.

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required.

Key Competencies

• Alumni Engagement Strategy

• Volunteer Leadership Development

• Event Planning and Execution

• Relationship Management

• Diplomacy and Political Acumen

• Strategic Communication

• Collaboration and Teamwork

• Project Management

• Data-Informed Decision Making

• Mission-Driven

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.