Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement NE

Syracuse University; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Syracuse University in New York City seeks an experienced professional to manage alumni events and university programs across the Northeast. You will plan events aligned with university priorities, including student engagement, career services, donors, affinity groups, and lifelong learning, handling concept creation, venue scouting, run-of-show documents, and on-site execution.

The role oversees contracts and vendors, partners with colleges and units, and coordinates online platforms and social

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; 3–5 years in alumni engagement, events, development, or higher education preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with digital communications (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) preferred.
• Graphic design skills desirable (Canva/Photoshop).
• Ability to work non-business hours including nights, weekends, or holidays.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of alumni events in the Northeast, including concept development, venue scouting, run-of-show documents, logistics, and on-site execution.
• Maintain event files, participation metrics, and revenue/expenditures; manage contracts and vendors.
• Build/maintain relationships with alumni and campus partners; grow engagement and donor involvement.
• Oversee regional social media content to promote alumni initiatives and events; supervise staff as needed.

Skills

Event planning

Communication

Project management

Writing

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Canva

Photoshop

Social media tools

Job description

Based in New York City and reporting to the Executive Director, this role manages alumni events and university programs throughout the Northeast. This individual plans events that align with university priorities, including student/recent graduate engagement, career services, donors, affinity groups, and lifelong learning. This includes program conceptualization, venue scouting, logistics, creation of “run of show” documents, and on-site execution of events. Manage event contracts, vendors, and related processes in regional locations as needed. S/He partners with colleagues based in colleges/schools/units on the development and implementation of programming that highlights programs, faculty, and other strategic priorities. This role manages online platforms/communities and social media channels to support alumni engagement, connectivity, and philanthropy.

This individual develops strong collaborative relationships with university alumni, friends, students, family, and campus colleagues. S/He serves as a front-line staff member who can answer alumni questions about Northeast alumni offerings, with the goal of deepening alumni engagement. Additionally, this position will assist with major events on the Syracuse, NY campus. The position may require working outside of normal business hours.

The Division of Advancement & External Affairs expresses a shared mission that is collaborative, trusted, respectful, future-focused and is aligned with the overall University. All current and new employees embrace and demonstrate dedication to promoting shared values in an inclusive work culture to propel the future of advancement operations in their everyday work.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum of 3-5 years of work experience in alumni engagement, events, development, or higher education preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Expertise with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Prior experience with digital communications preferred including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Graphic design skills desirable, utilizing platforms including Canva and/or Photoshop.
• REQUIRES ability to work non-business hours which may include nights, weekends and /or holidays.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, creativity, and demonstrated success in managing multiple projects.
• Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
• Detail and deadline oriented.
• Excellent writing skills, strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Syracuse University and the Northeast region a plus.
• Strong background in events management.
• Strong editing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and respond to changing needs.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of alumni events throughout the Northeast region. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, event conceptualization, venue scouting, creation of “run of show” documents, logistics, and on-site execution of events. Maintain accurate files relating to event planning and engagement activities including event participation metrics and revenue/expenditures. Manage event contracts, vendors, and related processes.
• Serve as a representative of Syracuse University among internal and external communities. Developing strong relationships with alumni including meeting with alumni one on one or in a group setting. Provide support to ensure we grow our engagement opportunities and cultivate more alumni as donors and volunteers. Maintain Citrus data on interactions, event participation, and constituent information. Serve as a community manager across Northeast social media channels creating content to promote alumni initiatives including events and general engagement.
• Support volunteer engagement initiatives for the region, including strategies that support volunteer identification, cultivation, and stewardship; Serve as a liaison to regional club/group volunteers, through participation in meetings and events as needed. Support social media engagement for clubs in the region.
• Oversee staffing and personally staff events taking place in the region, which includes travel primarily in the NYC Metro region and as needed, throughout the Northeast region, including evening and weekend support of events. Travel to main campus for retreats, meetings, trainings, and to assist at events including but not limited to Syracuse University’s Homecoming, Reunions, and Alumni Awards.