"Assistant Director for Shared Interest Groups"

Assistant Director for Shared Interest Groups

Posted: 17-Nov-25

Location: New Haven, Connecticut

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 129842WD

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Salary Range
$68,000.00 - $120,500.00

The Yale Alumni Association (YAA) is responsible for university-wide alumni relations and for events, programs, initiatives, and other opportunities to strengthen alumni relationships with Yale. Reporting to the Senior Director for Shared Interest Groups (SIGs), the Assistant Director fosters alumni engagement by developing and implementing shared interest group organizations and programs. Alumni SIGs are based on a shared identity, interest, or professional area.

• Coordinate services, programs, strategic support, and volunteer management for a portfolio of SIG groups, including leadership recruitment and training, strategic planning, budgeting, program development, event planning, and communications.
• Develop effective strategies for interacting with and supporting alumni on the basis of shared identities and interests. Serve as a resource for alumni interested in creating new shared interest/identity groups, advising on best practices in terms of mission, governance, group structure, strategic planning, and outreach.
• Work with assigned SIGs to ensure optimal volunteer engagement and leadership, identifying and recruiting talented alumni for volunteer roles. Inspire, inform, and motivate through regular communication. Guide volunteer leadership in succession planning. Foster volunteer interaction across constituencies.
• Collaborate with other YAA teams and Yale partners to develop programming and communications that highlight SIG organizations, promote Yale’s strengths, and engage alumni audiences. Contribute to communications strategies to increase awareness, highlight outstanding volunteers, and promote signature programs. Guide volunteer leaders in best practices for use of e-marketing, websites, and social media.
• Ensure integration of SIG activities with other alumni programs and services, creating opportunities for collaboration and co-branding. Collaborate with colleagues from the YAA, graduate and professional schools, and the Office of Development to build partnerships that support YAA priorities, such as lifelong learning, professional development & mentoring, and service to community.
• May perform other duties, including staffing alumni association programs, like the YAA Assembly and Yale College Reunions. Travel, evenings, and weekends required.

This is a 3-year fixed duration position.

The information in the Principal Responsibilities section is generic in nature; prospective applicants will find the information in the Overview to be most relevant.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to innovate and to manage projects from conception to completion with exceptional attention to detail.
• Sound judgment regarding need for consultation vs. independent decision-making. Ability to serve as the key decision maker while meeting the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability in both live and virtual event planning, program development, and logistics, and ability to prioritize and meet multiple, competing responsibilities.
• Willingness to assume responsibility for all aspects of specific programs, including travel and irregular hours.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to build productive relationships with staff and volunteers to contribute to YAA’s mission. Commitment to an inclusive workplace.
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Demonstrated flexibility and agility in responding to changing demands and priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Facility with technology and learning new systems. Ability to keep priorities aligned while maintaining professionalism and a sense of humor.

Preferred Skills and Abilities
Experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, event planning, or a related field, knowledge of the University and its academic programs, experience working with volunteers in a nonprofit or higher education setting, advanced Degree or significant professional experience in alumni relations or related fields and proficiency with event registration platforms and presentation tools.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Formulates shared interest alumni groups through identification and cultivation of alumni activities and contributes to the growth and maintenance of existing alumni groups.
2. Pursues opportunities to engage high-potential alumni organizations, primarily professional -based groups to promote relationship and generate source of revenue for the University.
3. Oversees budget control and determine financial obligation to run programs effectiveness.
4. Implements a marketing and outreach strategy focused on internal staff, students, faculty, administration and external (alumni, friends/partners, parents) contacts to expand the number of shared interest groups and their impact to the university alumni affairs.
5. Partners with a variety of constituencies to develop, engage and cultivate their alumni (school of engineering, management, medicine, athletics, fraternities, ethnic g and cultural groups) to build trust and administer where the University is the beneficiary.
6. Devises marketing strategies and publicity campaigns for alumni activities and programs; determines logistics, speakers, and content to ensure programs run smoothly.
7. Consults with internal and external contacts on devising effective activities and programs to meet the University goals and objectives.
8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in a related field and four years of related work experience.

Job Posting Date
10/14/2025

Job Category
Professional

Bargaining Unit
NON

Compensation Grade
Administration & Operations

Compensation Grade Profile
Manager; Program Leader (P5)

Time Type
Full time

Duration Type
Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)

Location
1201 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut