Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement NE

Syracuse University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Syracuse University, based in New York City, seeks an Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement NE to plan and execute regional alumni events, collaborate across colleges, and amplify engagement online. You will manage contracts, vendors, and on-site operations while developing strong alumni relationships and supporting regional volunteer networks.

The role may require occasional evenings and weekends, with travel primarily in the NYC Metro and Northeast regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of work experience in alumni engagement, events, development, or higher education preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Expertise with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Prior experience with digital communications including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Graphic design skills desirable, utilizing Canva and/or Photoshop.
• REQUIRES ability to work non-business hours which may include nights, weekends and /or holidays.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of alumni events throughout the Northeast region, including conceptualization, venue scouting, run of show, logistics, and on-site execution.
• Maintain accurate files for event planning, engagement activities, attendance metrics, and budgeting.
• Manage event contracts, vendors, and related processes; represent Syracuse University with internal and external communities.
• Develop relationships with alumni and campus colleagues; promote engagement and philanthropy.
• Oversee social media content for Northeast alumni initiatives and coordinate volunteer engagement and regional clubs.

Skills

Alumni engagement

Event planning

Communications

Graphic design

Microsoft Office

Social media management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Canva

Photoshop

Job description

Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement NE

Posting Details

Job # | 043203

Department Code | 50304-1150

Department | NYC Development-Lubin House

Job Title | Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement NE

Location | New York City, NY

Campus | New York, NY

Pay Range | $73,300 - $75,000

Pay Determination | Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level | S4

FLSA Status | Exempt

Hours | Standard University business hours 8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year) 8:00am – 4:30pm (summer) Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type | Full-time

Unionized Position Code | Not Applicable

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. Customer service driven. 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. Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

N/A

Tools/Equipment

N/A

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community

Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Applicant Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Supplemental Questions

1. * How did you first find out about this position?
   • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
   • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
   • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
   • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
   • Women’s Opportunity Center
   • Jubilee Homes
   • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
   • Interfaith Works
   • JobPlus
   • Syracuse.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
   • InsideHigherEd.com
   • Indeed.com
   • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
   • LinkedIn Job Posting
   • Facebook
   • Job Fair
   • Search Firm
   • Referred by an SU Employee
   • Other
2. If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position.
   (Open Ended Question)