Director, International Alumni & Travel

This position is a high-impact individual contributor role who functions through a broad, organizational lens rather than a localized one, overseeing a portfolio with institutional impact and visibility around the world.

This position reports to the Sr. Director of Alumni Networks at the Alumni Association.

Essential Functions:

Minnesota Alumni Travel Program (60%):

• Portfolio Strategy & Portfolio Curation: Continually audit the travel program against national best practices. Design and execute an innovative annual schedule of roughly 55-65 itineraries that drive market demand, grow participant volume, and meet robust annual revenue targets.
• Demographic Innovation: Expand travel models to cultivate lifelong learning across diverse generations, piloting tailored program options for young alumni, graduating seniors, and others.
• Institutional Leverage: Create unique University of Minnesota connections within global travel itineraries, integrating touchpoints with faculty researchers abroad, study-abroad student initiatives, or international alumni network receptions.
• Vendor & Contract Management: Vet international tour providers and destination management companies (DMCs). Negotiate contracts to protect organization interests, maintain high quality control, and ensure portfolio profitability.
• Marketing & Communication Strategy: Partner with the internal communications team to design and execute multi-channel marketing campaigns (print catalog, social media, web, email, and targeted advertising) to drive brochure requests and bookings.
• Host Excellence: Recruit, brief, and train university travel hosts to enhance traveler experiences and elevate the U of M brand globally.
• Traveler Support & Issue Resolution: Provide outstanding customer service in partnership with Alumni Experience Coordinator to current and potential travelers to enhance a positive relationship between alumni and the UMAA. Manage complex issues as they arise.
• Financial Oversight & Impact Assessment: Drive performance metrics to meet or exceed revenue-share targets while managing operating expenses within budget. Utilize continuous post-trip feedback models to refine future offerings.

Supervise and mentor two part-time student employees: Inform and initiate job postings, hire, train, monitor job performance, lead by providing support and guidance, set standards for professionalism and excellence in relation to administrative support for alumni travel programs.

International Alumni Engagement (35%):

• International Engagement Strategy: Partner with the Senior Director of Alumni Networks, GPS Alliance, and collegiate units to design and execute long- and short-term engagement strategies that increase the breadth, depth, and connectivity of our alumni population outside the United States.
• Network Cultivation & Longevity: Build, grow, and scale a global framework of international alumni networks. Recruit, orient, and develop international volunteer leaders, managing seamless leadership transitions to ensure network sustainability.
• Alumni Activation: Recruit and empower alumni and student volunteers to lead and deliver localized global programming, mentoring opportunities, and cross-cultural initiatives.
• Advisory Boards & Stakeholder Relations: Establish and cultivate relationships with advisory boards, international societies, and global stakeholders to retain alumni leaders in key volunteer capacities.
• Data Integrity & Lifecycle Tracking: Collaborate with UMF and campus groups to actively seek, improve, and maintain data collection methods for international contact information, addresses, and global employment trends.
• Programmatic Leverage: Guide and support international network leaders in the creation and implementation of programming and events with a special emphasis on leveraging UMAA programming and events.
• Impact Assessment: Continuously audit and evaluate network programming, implementing data-driven enhancements or introducing new networks based on alumni interest and organizational capacity.

General Alumni Engagement Activities (5%):

• Manage budget related to areas of responsibility.
• Represent the UMAA to alumni and campus partners as needed.
• Attend and support major UMAA events and look for ways to incorporate travel and international alumni into those programs as appropriate.
• Complete other department duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree plus at least six years of relevant experience.
• At least five years of experience developing and managing relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
• Experience with and commitment to working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, interests, and cultures.
• Proven ability to develop timelines, implement innovative strategies, identify problems and solutions, and conduct systematic process/program evaluation and improvements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing, planning, and implementing events, travel itineraries, and training programs
• Demonstrated experience motivating and leading volunteers.
• Experience successfully managing multiple projects.
• Experience creating and managing budgets.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Interest working in a non-profit organization with a passion for connecting and helping people.
• Strong initiative, ability to learn quickly, and work independently.
• Strong digital technology, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exemplary attention to detail.

About the Department

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) fosters a lifelong spirit of belonging and pride by connecting alumni, students, and friends to the University of Minnesota and each other. The Association advocates for the University and its alumni with a credible, independent, and collaborative voice.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $73,000-$85,000 ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100%-time Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. To be considered for this role, you will need to upload the following documents with your application:

• A cover letter which expresses your interest in and qualifications for the position
• Your updated resume

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.