Alumni Engagement Officer

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, invites applications for an Alumni Engagement Officer to build meaningful connections with alumni, students, and the broader community. You will recruit and coordinate volunteers, plan events, manage communications, and maintain alumni databases to advance University Advancement priorities within the McMaster Alumni Association.

This on-site role requires strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to strengthen

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; McMaster degree is an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in alumni engagement or volunteer programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with databases and data extraction.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, and coordinate alumni volunteer programs.
• Plan events and manage portfolio activities with diverse stakeholders.
• Maintain databases and generate reports for alumni relations.
• Prepare printed materials and correspondence for the Alumni Association.
• Collaborate with development, communications and advancement units.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Organization

Attention to detail

Database experience

Public speaking

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Databases

Job description

At McMaster University, we are driven by a shared purpose: advancing human and societal health and wellbeing. Through world-class research, transformative education, and meaningful community impact, we are addressing some of the world's most complex challenges and creating positive change locally and globally.

Consistently ranked among Canada's top universities and recognized internationally for research excellence, innovation, and student success, McMaster is home to more than 37,000 students, over 250,000 alumni worldwide, and a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, learners, and partners. From pioneering discoveries in health sciences and engineering to advancing social innovation and community wellbeing, McMaster's impact extends far beyond our campus.

As we look toward the future, philanthropy will play an increasingly important role in enabling the University's aspirations. Through strategic partnerships with donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, and community leaders, McMaster is creating opportunities to accelerate discovery, enhance student experiences, support breakthrough research, and strengthen its impact on society.

About University Advancement:

University Advancement serves as the bridge between McMaster's mission and the philanthropic community that helps bring that mission to life. Through fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, advancement services, and strategic partnerships, University Advancement fosters meaningful relationships that create lasting impact for the University and the communities it serves.

Guided by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation, University Advancement is building a culture of philanthropy that supports McMaster's strategic priorities and future ambitions. The division is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity as it continues to strengthen fundraising capacity, deepen donor engagement, and position the University for future campaign success.

About the role:

The Alumni Engagement Officer (AEO) is responsible for providing high-quality, meaningful opportunities for alumni to maintain positive relationships with the University by providing programs that achieve the goals of McMaster, University Advancement and the McMaster Alumni Association. This includes supporting McMaster University; involving alumni; communicating with alumni; recognizing alumni achievements; providing services and benefits for alumni; and involving current McMaster students. The AEO is responsible for working towards achieving all goals above with a specific focus on an assigned portfolio. This position is responsible for making a positive commitment to University Advancement’s mission, vision and values and principles: Integrity, Quality, Respect, Service, Strategy and Teamwork. Due to the nature of this position some evening and week-end work as well as some travel will be required. To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff, faculty, and alumni community and supports the University mission, the ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests. Alumni Engagement Officers are required to work on-site a minimum of three days per week.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for the recruitment, orientation, training, recognition and on-going program coordination of volunteer programs. Volunteer management experience is required.


• Complete an annual needs assessment and recommend an action plan for review. Provide input into the development of the plans and objectives.


• Evaluate on-going programs within portfolio and recommend modifications and improvements.


• Implement and maintain the program budget for portfolio. Create financial projections and make adjustments to the program budget throughout the fiscal year.


• Plan, coordinate, and oversee events involving portfolio alumni, students, community members, faculty, staff and University senior administration.


• Coordinate all activities as appropriate with other University and University Advancement functions, mainly, development, communication and public affairs, advancement services and advancement work in the academic faculties.


• Create and produce printed materials, both conventional and electronic, to be distributed to McMaster’s ever-growing community of alumni.


• Represent the University and the McMaster Alumni Association through correspondence, both paper and electronic, phone and in-person contact.


• Develop, update and deliver presentations and represent the University and the Alumni Association in various public-speaking environments.


• Develop practices as required, in relation to an assigned portfolio, for review and approval by supervisor.


• Update and maintain information in various databases.


• Utilize effectively the computer systems designed to manage information on McMaster’s alumni and the alumni program. Extract data from the database and write queries.


• Participate, from time to time, in University Advancement projects such as project teams and work teams.


• Support, collaborate and, as appropriate, coordinate activities under the auspices of the Annual Giving program.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. A McMaster University degree is an asset

Experience:

• Requires 3 years of prior experience

Knowledge/skills:

• Superior interpersonal and communication skills (e.g. written and public speaking)


• Strong organizational skills and integrated approach


• High attention to detail


• Strong computer skills and experience with databases


• Excellent customer-service skills and strong service orientation


• Time-management and multi-tasking abilities


• Knowledgeable about McMaster University policies and guidelines; and University Advancement policies and procedures

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions. Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.