American University is a student-centered research institution
located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges,
internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating
meaningful change in the world. Learn more about
American University
Department:
Alumni Relations
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
Regular
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Work Modality:
Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union:
Job Description:
Summary:
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations, the
Director of Alumni Relations is tasked with the strategic
leadership of a critical segment of American University’s alumni
engagement program. This role leads a team of three full-time
employees in developing and overseeing plans for industry-based and
interest-based affinity groups, recruiting and leading alumni
volunteers to advance critical objectives for the benefit of AU.
The Director will use a data-driven approach to build, evaluate,
and refine new and existing programs, leveraging leading and
trailing metrics to assess the return on investment of their team’s
efforts.
In order to best serve AU’s ambitious goals including the 2026
“Meet the Moment” Strategic Plan, the Director will build and
cultivate cross-departmental collaborations with UA colleagues
including those in alumni engagement, fundraising, and data and
analytics roles, as well as cross-campus partners including the
Division of Student Affairs, the Career Center, and the Office of
Inclusive Excellence. The Director will ensure that alumni programs
under their purview advance institutional goals and offer
meaningful engagement opportunities for alumni, increasing and
deepening alumni engagement for AU’s 160,000+ member alumni
network.
Essential Functions:
1.) Alumni Engagement
- Increase the number of alumni who actively engage by AU through
their volunteerism, experiential, philanthropic, and communication
activities.
Employ a data-driven approach to build, evaluate, and refine
new and existing programs, leveraging leading and trailing metrics
to assess the return on investment of their team’s alumni
engagement efforts.
Through regular, structured engagement and a commitment to
meeting the department’s shared objectives, partner with Alumni
Relations colleagues to ensure that the department is working
productively and efficiently to meet the university’s goal of
increasing alumni engagement among AU’s 160,000+ member alumni
network.
2.) Volunteer Management
- Recruit, train, and lead alumni volunteers to advance critical
objectives for the benefit of AU.
- Leverage low-investment, high-yield volunteer opportunities to
deepen engagement for well-connected, service-minded alumni who can
expand UA’s capacity to engage more of its 160,000+ member alumni
network.
- Develop and oversee plans, including ad hoc and standing alumni
community groups, for industry-based and interest-based affinity
groups as a force multiplier to advance the division’s alumni
engagement goals.
- Provide strategic support to the Assistant Vice President for
the cultivation of AU Alumni Board members, including former
members and prospective new members.
3.) Management and Supervision of Team
- Lead a team of three employees, ensuring professional
performance management by setting SMART goals, reviewing
performance throughout the year, and providing consistent,
objective feedback.
- Proactively and responsibly manage a component of the Alumni
Relations budget to meet the department and division’s
objectives.
4.) Collaboration to Advance UA and AU Goals
- Through regular, structured engagement and a commitment to
meeting the division’s shared objectives, partner with UA
colleagues in fundraising and data and analytics roles to advance
broader UA goals to increase fundraising at annual, major, and
principal-gift levels.
- Work in close partnership with UA colleagues in Donor
Engagement and Advancement Communications to facilitate events and
convenings and to develop marketing that advances alumni engagement
goals.
- Partner with AU colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs,
the Career Center, and the Office of Inclusive Excellence to
advance AU’s strategic planning goals including the identification
of alumni mentors and internship and career opportunities for
current students and young alumni.
5.) Other Duties as Assigned
Supervisory Responsibility:
- Supervises the Associate Director, Alumni Relations and
Assistant Director, Alumni Relations.
Competencies:
- Building and Supporting Teams.
- Developing Plans.
- Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
- Acting Strategically.
- Collaborative Leadership.
- Driving Continuous Improvement.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
- Full-time.
- 35 hours per week.
- This role necessitates flexibility to work evenings and
weekends as required.
Salary Range:
- $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 annually.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- 8 - 10 years of relevant experience.
- At least eight (8) to ten (10) years of proven success in
alumni, donor, or community relations within educational
institutions or nonprofit organizations.
- Skills for and demonstrated experience in interpersonal
communication.
- Capability to independently develop long-term goals and oversee
various complex programs and services.
- Innovative thinking skills to advance new programs address
evolving needs.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing and
developing a variety of teams.
- Ability to inspire and motivate volunteers and staff towards
common goals.
- Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships
with a variety of groups.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience in planning, organizing, and managing large-scale
events.
- Commitment to personal and professional growth, including
inclusive excellence trends and research.
- Exposure to working with fundraising teams.
- Proficiency with relevant software and technology including
event management tools, CRM systems, and social media
platforms.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Master's degree or equivalent.
- 10+ years of relevant experience.
Travel Required:
- The ability to travel both regionally and internationally as
needed.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package.
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit
options .
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful
completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must
deliver their services to the university from either the District
of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the
university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or
contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or
responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time
with or without notice.
- American University is an
E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their
employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American
University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report
which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University
careers site, email
theworkline@american.edu
.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action
institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy),
age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal
appearance, gender identity and expression, family
responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran
status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases
under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its
programs and activities.
