Job Description
Amherst College invites applications for the Associate Director of Class Engagement and Giving position. The Associate Director of Class Engagement and Giving is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $68,000 to $72,000 per year.
The Associate Director of Class Engagement and Giving plays a key role in advancing Amherst College's culture of connection, participation, and philanthropy. The Associate Director manages a portfolio of alumni classes and Reunion cohorts, as well as special projects and events related to engagement and giving, with primary responsibility for developing class-based engagement plans that strengthen volunteer participation and support annual giving goals.
Summary of Responsibilities
Reunion, Class and Volunteer Management
- Oversee and manage a portfolio of alumni classes, serving as a primary staff partner for class engagement, volunteer support, and coordination of annual giving efforts.
- Serve as staff lead or key contributor for Reunion cohorts, including milestone Reunion years, overseeing class communications, volunteer engagement, and selected Reunion projects and experiences.
- Partner with the Director of Class Engagement & Giving to plan and execute Reunion programming for the Reunion classes within an assigned portfolio, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and class engagement goals.
- Cultivate, support, and steward alumni volunteer leaders (e.g., Class Agents, Reunion Chairs, Class Secretaries) by setting clear expectations, providing strategic guidance, and sharing timely insights that advance participation and giving goals.
- Partner with Advancement colleagues to develop and refine volunteer training, communications, and reporting resources that strengthen engagement and participation pipelines.
- Lead regular volunteer meetings, deliver data-informed recommendations, and ensure volunteers have the tools, information, and support needed to be successful.
- Develop and execute class-based communications and engagement plans that strengthen class identity, deepen alumni connection, and reinforce the College's mission.
- Maintain comprehensive, accurate records, timelines, and documentation for all assigned class cohorts and volunteer groups, ensuring strong administrative management and planning continuity.
Event Planning & Program Execution
- Design and execute key Reunion events in support of both the class cohort experience and in support of the overall Reunion goals and objectives.
- Serve as the operational lead for Homecoming, managing event logistics in collaboration with campus partners, which may include registration, facilities coordination, vendors, technology needs, student staffing, housing coordination, and on-site operations.
- Lead the planning and execution of a broad range of in-person and virtual alumni events, including Reunion, Homecoming, Affinity Weekends, and Executive Committee-related gatherings, ensuring high-quality, inclusive, and well-coordinated experiences.
- Oversee all logistical components of assigned events—including registration, facilities coordination, catering, technology needs, student staffing, and vendor management—in collaboration with campus partners.
- Manage event communications, including invitations, webpages, email and text campaigns, schedules, and promotional materials, ensuring consistency with Advancement and College-wide messaging.
- Ensure the consistent delivery of inclusive, welcoming, and mission-aligned alumni experiences through thoughtful planning, strong hospitality, and attention to detail.
- Maintain oversight of project plans, timelines, budgets, and documentation, ensuring accountability, continuity, and high-quality execution across assigned programs.
Class Engagement Strategy & Communications
- Collaborate with Advancement Communications and Strategy & Analysis to support class-based engagement and giving strategies informed by data, alumni behavior, and institutional priorities.
- Manage class communications calendars and contribute to content development that reinforces class identity, participation, and connection to Amherst.
- Use data and analytics (CRM systems, Slate, internal dashboards) to inform strategy, track progress, and evaluate engagement and giving outcomes.
- Develop and maintain segment-level insights and reporting that help the team understand alumni engagement patterns and strengthen class-based participation efforts.
- Build and maintain relationships that reinforce a sense of belonging, shared purpose, and connection within the Amherst community.
- Partner with Advancement Communications to highlight impact stories, Reunion milestones, and donor engagement moments across assigned class cohorts.
- Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to ensure class engagement efforts align with broader annual giving goals.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's Degree.
- A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in alumni engagement, advancement, nonprofit programs, or a related field, preferably within higher education.
- Strong skills in relationship management, volunteer support, event coordination, and project management.
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing class-based or milestone events, including responsibility for logistics, timelines, vendors, and on-site coordination.
- Experience working closely with alumni volunteers, such as class officers or reunion committees, to support engagement, participation, and giving goals.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience collaborating effectively with Advancement colleagues and campus partners to deliver coordinated, high-quality programs.
- Experience supporting or contributing to annual giving or participation initiatives, including class-based outreach, volunteer tools, or engagement campaigns.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience coordinating communications, schedules, and project documentation.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs.
This is a Preview Listing…
You must sign in to see the full job description, and to apply.
Manage / Upgrade this job to a Full Job Listing.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!
