Manager of Alumni Engagement

Serving a global alumni population shaped by an innovative learning model, the Manager will help define and lead a modern approach to alumni engagement that extends beyond traditional programs and events. The role is responsible for creating meaningful opportunities for alumni connection, mentorship, volunteerism, professional development, lifelong learning, advocacy, and philanthropy through a combination of virtual, hybrid, and in-person experiences.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, the Manager serves as lead strategist for alumni engagement and will play a key role in building programs that reflect the unique characteristics of Empire's students and graduates. The position works collaboratively across the university to strengthen the relationship between alumni and the institution.

The successful candidate will be an innovative thinker, relationship builder, storyteller, and program developer who is excited by the opportunity to create new models of alumni engagement.

Core Responsibilities

Alumni Engagement Strategy and Innovation

• Develop, implement, and continuously assess a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with the university's mission, strategic priorities, and advancement goals.
• Lead the creation of innovative engagement opportunities designed specifically for a geographically dispersed alumni population and online educational environment.
• Identify emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in alumni engagement and recommend new approaches that strengthen alumni participation and institutional affinity.
• Build a scalable engagement framework that supports lifelong relationships between alumni and the university.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues to foster a culture of alumni philanthropy by connecting engagement, volunteerism, storytelling, and giving opportunities in ways that deepen alumni affinity and support for the university.
• Manage a focused portfolio of alumni relationships, as appropriate, to advance engagement, volunteer leadership, and philanthropic participation.
• Establish engagement metrics, goals, and success indicators to measure participation, affinity, volunteerism, advocacy, and philanthropic engagement.
• Serve as a champion for innovation and experimentation, piloting new programs and engagement models that position Empire as a leader in alumni engagement for online learners.

Alumni Programs, Events, and Community Building

• Develop and oversee a coordinated portfolio of alumni engagement programs that foster meaningful connection, lifelong learning, professional engagement, volunteerism, and pride in Empire State University.
• In partnership with Career Services and other university colleagues, support and help expand initiatives such as virtual event and webinar series, alumni learning opportunities, career-focused programming, networking and mentoring programs, online communities, regional and affinity-based engagement, alumni ambassador and volunteer programs, and alumni awards and recognition programs.
• Leverage the Advancement CRM, digital engagement platforms, and other technologies to support alumni participation, relationship tracking, segmentation, and coordinated outreach.
• Design opportunities that strengthen alumni-to-alumni and alumni-to-student connections while increasing the visibility and impact of alumni across the university community.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues to connect alumni engagement with storytelling, volunteer leadership, advocacy, and philanthropic participation.

Student-to-Alumni Engagement

• Lead initiatives that strengthen the transition from student to alumnus and foster a culture of lifelong connection before graduation.
• Partner closely with Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Career Services, and the Advancement Special Events team to integrate alumni engagement throughout the student experience.
• Collaborate on commencement-related engagement opportunities and other milestone experiences that support a seamless transition into alumni status.
• Identify opportunities and partner with colleagues to involve alumni in student success initiatives, mentoring, career development, philanthropy, and experiential learning.

Volunteer Leadership and Governance

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Alumni-Student Federation Board of Governors.
• Provide strategic guidance and administrative support to the Board and its committees.
• Recruit, onboard, and engage volunteer leaders in meaningful service to the university.
• Develop opportunities for alumni volunteers to serve as ambassadors, mentors, advocates, event hosts, and engagement champions.
• Support volunteer leadership development and succession planning to ensure long-term organizational effectiveness.

Career, Mentorship, and Lifelong Learning Engagement

• Partner with Career Services to expand opportunities for alumni career development and professional networking.
• Develop programs that leverage alumni expertise to support current students and fellow graduates.
• Identify opportunities for alumni participation as: mentors, speakers, career advisors, industry experts, and internship and employment partners.
• Explore innovative models for lifelong learning and continuing engagement that support alumni throughout their personal and professional journeys.

Communications, Storytelling, and Alumni Visibility

• Serve as a strategic partner to Communications colleagues in developing alumni-focused communications and content.
• Identify compelling alumni stories and engagement opportunities that promote alumni achievement, university impact, and lifelong learning.
• Contribute written content and story development for: Alumni newsletters, Connections magazine, Digital communications, Alumni profiles, Web content, and Social media campaigns.
• Maintain and enhance alumni-facing web content to ensure information remains current, engaging, and reflective of university priorities.
• Develop communication strategies that inspire alumni participation, advocacy, and pride in Empire State University.

Data, Assessment, and Growth

• Leverage CRM systems, engagement platforms, and analytics tools to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Track engagement activity and identify opportunities to deepen alumni participation and connection.
• Develop reports and dashboards to evaluate outcomes and demonstrate impact.
• Partner with Advancement Services to improve alumni data quality and strengthen engagement insights.
• Use data to inform program design, audience segmentation, and communication strategies.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations, community engagement, volunteer management, advancement, events, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing engagement programs or community-building initiatives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing content for diverse audiences.
• Experience planning and executing events, programs, or engagement initiatives.
• Experience working with volunteers, advisory boards, ambassadors, or community leaders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems, digital engagement tools, or online community platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience in higher education, alumni relations, or advancement.
• Experience engaging geographically dispersed, adult, online, transfer, or nontraditional learner populations.
• Experience developing virtual, hybrid, regional, or community-based engagement programs.
• Experience working collaboratively with communications, marketing, career services, annual giving, or advancement teams.
• Experience supporting volunteer boards, advisory groups, or governance organizations.

Special Information

• Periodic travel and on-site presence at events throughout New York State and beyond will be required, including occasional evening and weekend work.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
• SUNY Empire provides employees with robust remote and flexible work options to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff in a dispersed work environment.

Additional Information:

Rank/Salary: SL3 / $75,000-$80,000, dependent upon experience and qualifications.

We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.

SUNY Empire is an AA/EEO/ADA employer. The University actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the University. SUNY Empire is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the university community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

SUNY Empire provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, veterans, or wounded warriors where appropriate. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (518) 587-2100.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling (518) 587-2100. It can also be viewed online at our Safety and Security website.

To apply, visit http://esc.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=204343

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