Alumni Engagement Officer

The College of St. Scholastica; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN seeks an Alumni Engagement Officer to cultivate an informed and involved alumni community.

You will serve as lead storyteller and communications architect for alumni relations, producing multi-channel content and coordinating events. Working with the Director of Alumni Engagement, you will manage relationships with alumni and parents, plan signature events, oversee logistics, and ensure outcomes align with fundraising and engagement goals while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Management, or related field.
• Exceptional project management skills with the demonstrated ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong planning and execution skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Collaborative work style and proven ability to interact effectively with staff, faculty, leadership, and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated talent in storytelling and content creation across media.
• Excellent critical thinking, strategic thinking, and execution skills.
• Experience cultivating and developing positive relationships with individuals, organizations, and businesses.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities, cultures, and populations.
• Flexibility to work a non-traditional schedule, including frequent evenings and weekends as required by event and travel schedules.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and, on occasion, internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, writing, and editing of alumni communications across print, digital, and social media.
• Develop multi-channel content strategy and execution.
• Manage CSS Magazine content and class notes submissions.
• Collaborate with Marketing to align messaging and brand standards.
• Manage alumni social media channels and digital campaigns, tracking metrics.
• Coordinate major alumni events, reunions, and regional gatherings.
• Oversee event logistics, venue, and staffing.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors and manage budgets.
• Evaluate events and implement improvements.
• Engage alumni and parents to foster relationships.
• Support travel and non-traditional scheduling.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Management, or related field

Job description

The approximate base compensation range is posted, but the actual offer will reflect our total compensation and benefits package. The offer will be determined by a number of factors including the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, FTE, number of months worked, as well as internal equity among our team.

Organizational Overview

College Advancement supports The College of St. Scholastica's mission and vision by facilitating strategic relationships with alumni, parents, friends, businesses, donors, government agencies, and private foundations.

Position Summary

The Alumni Engagement Officer is pivotal in cultivating a vibrant, informed, and actively involved alumni community. This position serves as the primary storyteller and communications architect for alumni relations, creating compelling multi-channel content to elevate connection and philanthropy. In addition, working in close collaboration with the Director of Alumni Engagement, the Officer leads the coordination and execution of dynamic alumni events, maintains strategic alumni and parent relationships, and fulfills key operational duties supporting the advancement mission of the College.

Key Responsibilities

• Communications & Content Creation (40%)
• Lead the overall strategic direction, creation, writing, editing, and distribution of alumni communications across print, digital, and social media channels to strengthen alumni connection, highlight philanthropic impact, and drive active engagement.
• Multi-Channel Content Strategy & Execution: Lead the creation, writing, and editing of high-impact alumni communications across various channels, including digital publications, social media platforms, website news, email campaigns, and print media.
• CSS Magazine & Class Notes Management: Prepare, solicit, write, and format all submitted class notes, birth, death, and sympathy announcements, as well as high-resolution photo submissions for inclusion in the CSS Magazine.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with the central Marketing and Communications team to align messaging, enforce brand standards, and elevate compelling alumni stories that demonstrate institutional ROI and Benedictine values.
• Digital Media & Campaign Analytics: Manage alumni social media channels and digital communications campaigns, creating dynamic copy and visual content while tracking open rates, click-through rates, and audience engagement metrics to continuously refine content strategy.
• Event Coordination (30%)
• Strategic Event Management: Manage key signature events, including major reunion weekends, 'Lighting a Tradition,' regional/geographic-specific alumni gatherings, and networking receptions.
• Logistics & Facility Coordination: Determine detailed space, technology, equipment, catering, and on-site management requirements based on historical data and strategic goals. Oversee all aspects of venue selection, lighting, sound, room setups, and staffing.
• Vendor Negotiation & Contract Management: Negotiate contracts with vendors, facilities, caterers, and service providers, ensuring agreements meet high-quality standards and align with event objectives.
• Budget Optimization & Financial Accountability: Monitor, manage, and optimize event budgets to ensure cost-effectiveness, fiscal responsibility, and optimal resource allocation.
• Post-Event Evaluation & Quality Improvement: Conduct thorough evaluations of each event by gathering attendee feedback and analyzing key performance metrics to measure effectiveness against annual fundraising and engagement goals. Document lessons learned and implement continuous process improvements.
• Alumni/Parent Engagement & Relationship Management (20%)
• Portfolio Management & Outreach: Maintain an active portfolio of alumni and parents, fostering strong, lasting relationships through regular direct personal contact, phone calls, text messages, social media engagement, and strategic email outreach.
• Student-to-Alumni Lifecycle: Oversee the student-to-alumni transition lifecycle, partnering with key internal stakeholders (Admissions, Student Affairs, and the Center for Experiential Learning) to deliver strategic programming with measurable ROI.
• Donor & Community Cultivation: Foster and maintain strong relationships with alumni/parents and community partners, utilizing events and communications platforms to cultivate ongoing engagement and philanthropic interest.
• Event & On-site Representation: Support institutional engagement goals by representing the Advancement Office and attending strategic campus and regional events as needed.
• Commitment to Inclusive Excellence: Demonstrate a steadfast commitment to inclusive excellence, ensuring that all donor and alumni relations efforts reflect Benedictine values and serve the diverse community of The College of St. Scholastica.
• Duties as Assigned (10%)
• Special Projects & Initiatives: Participate in and support institutional, departmental, or cross-functional special projects as assigned by the Director of Alumni Engagement or Advancement Leadership.
• Operational & Team Support: Provide operational support during peak advancement cycles, major campaign launches, or college-wide celebrations.
• Professional Development & General Duties: Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in alignment with departmental goals and evolving advancement priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Management, or related field.
• Exceptional project management skills with the demonstrated ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong planning and execution skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Collaborative work style and proven ability to interact effectively with staff, faculty, leadership, and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated talent in storytelling and content creation across media.
• Excellent critical thinking, strategic thinking, and execution skills.
• Experience cultivating and developing positive relationships with individuals, organizations, and businesses.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities, cultures, and populations.
• Flexibility to work a non-traditional schedule, including frequent evenings and weekends as required by event and travel schedules.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and, on occasion, internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in events management, donor stewardship, communications, or alumni relations (OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
• Experience with or knowledge of various event models, digital marketing tools, and fundraising strategies.
• Experience working with advancement and CRM software such as Raiser's Edge, Slate, or similar platforms.
• Experience working in a higher education or non-profit fundraising environment.
• Alumna/us of The College of St. Scholastica.