"Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement"

Job Description:

The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement plays a pivotal role in fostering lifelong relationships between Kansas City University (KCU) and its alumni, with a particular emphasis on GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) alumni and the development of robust alumni programming. This position develops and manages meaningful engagement opportunities that enhance alumni affinity, encourage volunteer and philanthropic involvement, and strengthen connections between alumni, students, and the university. The Assistant Director collaborates closely with the Director of Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy colleagues to support high-profile initiatives including Homecoming, regional alumni events, donor recognition activities, and integrated alumni communications.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

GOLD and Regional Alumni Engagement

• Develop and execute strategic, data-informed programming tailored to the interests and career stages of GOLD alumni, with a focus on career development, networking, mentoring, and early-stage philanthropy.
• Build and maintain consistent, personalized communication with alumni through digital platforms, e-newsletters, targeted email campaigns, and in-person events.
• Identify, recruit, and steward GOLD alumni volunteers to participate in regional activities, virtual programming, and philanthropic initiatives.
• Monitor engagement trends and alumni feedback to continuously refine and improve programming.

Student-Alumni Connection & Volunteerism

• Partner with academic affairs, student services, and career development offices to create opportunities that connect students with alumni for mentorship, career panels, speaking engagements, and experiential learning.
• Lead the coordination of student-alumni events such as scholarship celebrations, student send-offs, orientation welcome sessions, and commencement activities.
• Manage student thank-you note writing initiatives, alumni welcome for new graduates, and scholar profile submissions for stewardship and recognition purposes.
• Maintain a database of engaged alumni volunteers available for mentorship and campus programming.

Homecoming, Regional Events & Special Programs

• Plan and implement a distinct Homecoming experience for Joplin campus alumni while collaborating with the Director to ensure university-wide consistency and alignment.
• Assist in the planning, promotion, and execution of regional alumni gatherings, class reunions, and affinity-based events.
• Coordinate event logistics, vendor relations, promotional materials, and volunteer assignments.
• Manage post-event follow-up including survey distribution, thank-you messaging, and volunteer/donor stewardship efforts.
• Support the cultivation and recognition of reunion class representatives and volunteer committees.

Communications, Storytelling & Digital Engagement

• Curate and manage the Alumni Class Notes program, proactively soliciting submissions, ensuring timely updates, and integrating stories into broader alumni and university communications.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement, University Relations, Admissions, and other departments to leverage alumni stories for cross-campus initiatives.
• Maintain and update content on philanthropy and alumni engagement web pages, ensuring timely, accurate, and engaging information.
• Provide input on integrated communication plans and digital engagement strategy, utilizing analytics to inform future content and outreach.

Fundraising & Philanthropic Engagement

• Identify and cultivate alumni prospects for philanthropic support, with a particular focus on GOLD alumni, reunion classes, and affinity-based groups.
• Coordinate annual Class Reunion giving campaign and competition that culminates at Homecoming.
• Conduct light discovery visits and alumni outreach to identify giving interests and opportunities for increased engagement.

Program Administration & Data Management

• Track and report on alumni engagement metrics, volunteer participation, event attendance, and communications effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate alumni records within the CRM system, updating contact information, engagement activity, and affinity notes.
• Contribute to the annual alumni engagement and events calendar planning process.
• Participate in cross-departmental committees and institutional initiatives as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; preferred fields include communications, marketing, public relations, nonprofit management, or a related discipline.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations, donor relations, event management, community engagement, or related fields.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in event planning, volunteer management, and digital content creation.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge NXT) and social media platforms.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Willingness to travel, work occasional evenings and weekends, and represent the university at regional and national alumni events.