Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

The Assistant Director partners closely with University Advancement, Marketing and Communications, and academic units to ensure engagement strategies are coordinated, targeted, and effective. This role emphasizes strategic relationship development, data-driven decision-making, and volunteer leadership engagement.

This position is based on-site in Blacksburg, Virginia and does not include supervisory responsibilities. A successful Assistant Director thrives in the following areas:

Alumni Engagement Strategy & Program Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with Pamplin and university-wide advancement priorities
• Identify and expand opportunities for alumni to engage through mentoring, student success initiatives, career development, and academic partnerships
• Partner with internal stakeholders, including Advancement and Marketing & Communications, to ensure alignment in outreach, messaging, and engagement priorities
• Establish clear goals and performance metrics to evaluate engagement effectiveness and guide continuous improvement
• Contribute to strategies that strengthen alumni affinity, philanthropic engagement, and long-term connection to the college

Alumni Data, Analytics & Reporting

• Leverage CRM systems (e.g., AIMS, Blackbaud, or similar) to track alumni engagement, participation, and outcomes
• Analyze data to segment alumni audiences and inform targeted engagement strategies
• Maintain accurate records and ensure integrity of alumni engagement data in collaboration with advancement teams
• Develop reports and dashboards to assess trends, measure success, and inform leadership decision-making
• Ensure responsible and confidential handling of alumni and donor information

Advisory Boards & Volunteer Engagement

• Provide strategic support for the Dean's Advisory Board and other alumni or college-level boards, focusing on engagement, member experience, and alignment with college priorities
• Develop and strengthen pipelines for alumni volunteer leadership, including identifying, recruiting, and onboarding board and committee members
• Define clear expectations and engagement pathways for volunteers to maximize impact and satisfaction
• Partner with advancement leadership to enhance board effectiveness as advocates and ambassadors for the college

Alumni Network Development & Communications Collaboration

• Build and sustain a dynamic alumni network that fosters peer-to-peer engagement across regions, industries, and affinity groups
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to inform storytelling, alumni features, and engagement campaigns
• Provide insights into alumni audiences to enhance targeted communications and strengthen connection to the college
• Identify opportunities to elevate alumni visibility and celebrate achievements in ways that reinforce engagement goals

Work Location & Flexibility

This position will be based in Virginia Tech's Blacksburg Campus. To ensure comprehensive training and integration into our college culture, the position will be fully on-site for the first six months. After this period, the role may shift to a hybrid schedule with up to one day of telework per week, subject to departmental needs. Some travel may be required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, public relations, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in alumni relations, advancement, stakeholder engagement, or related area
• Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to inform strategy and decision-making
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, communications, higher education, or related field
• Experience in a higher education or advancement environment
• Familiarity with CRM platforms such as Blackbaud, AIMS, Salesforce, or similar systems
• Experience working with advisory boards, volunteer leaders, or donor engagement programs
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing engagement strategies or network-building initiatives
• Experience collaborating with communications teams on targeted outreach or campaigns

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

starting at 68,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

8/17/2026; open until filled

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Samantha Gagnet at sgagnet@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.