Assistant Director - Alumni Engagement & Volunteer Programs

LM Wind Power / GE; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation, sick, personal time

Healthcare: medical, dental, vision

On-campus fitness facility access

403(b) retirement plan

Salary continuation program

Tuition exchange

Job summary

Union College in Schenectady, NY seeks an Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement & Volunteer Programs to lead regional and affinity-based alumni engagement initiatives. You will recruit and steward volunteers, plan events, and collaborate with campus partners to foster lifelong alumni involvement and support institutional priorities.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and 2–3 years in alumni relations or related fields; strong communication, organizational, and CRM skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of professional experience in alumni relations, advancement, higher education, volunteer management, event/program management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage engagement programs and events from concept through execution and assessment.
• Experience recruiting, managing, motivating, and stewarding volunteers preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with alumni, volunteers, colleagues, campus partners, and other constituents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with databases, CRM systems, event-management platforms, email marketing tools, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive engagement opportunities for alumni from a wide range of backgrounds, generations, affinities, and geographic regions.
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel as required for programs and events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement plan for regional and affinity-based programs.
• Plan, execute, and assess regional alumni events and affinity-based engagement activities.
• Recruit, onboard, train, support, and steward alumni volunteers.
• Develop and sustain effective volunteer engagement strategies and recognition efforts.
• Develop and oversee year-round alumni programs and initiatives.
• Assist in reunion committee engagement and alumni council operations.
• Work with campus partners to promote alumni engagement opportunities.
• Track engagement metrics and generate reports for improvement.
• Coordinate follow-up on events and communications.
• Occasional travel and work during evenings and weekends.

Skills

Alumni relations

Volunteer management

Event planning

Relationship-building

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

CRM systems

Email marketing tools

Microsoft Office/Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Event-management platforms

Email marketing tools

Microsoft Office/Google Workspace

Job description

Pay Status and Classification: Exempt, Regular Full-time, In-Person. This position is not eligible for relocation assistance or visa sponsorship.

Supervisor: Director - Alumni & Parent Engagement.

Position Purpose

The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement & Volunteer Programs is responsible for creating, executing, and maintaining programs and strategies that enhance alumni connection to the College through regional outreach, affinity groups, volunteer participation, and year-round opportunities for meaningful involvement. Through thoughtful outreach, program development, and volunteer management, this role helps build lifelong relationships between alumni and the College, foster community, and support a culture of connection, service, and institutional pride. The Assistant Director collaborates with campus partners and College Relations colleagues to create opportunities that deepen alumni affinity and promote ongoing involvement with the College. This position provides leadership for regional and affinity engagement efforts, alumni volunteer recruitment and stewardship, and selected year-round alumni programs. The role also serves as a backup to the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement for Alumni Council operations and volunteer continuity, helping to maintain strong communication, engagement, and follow-through across key volunteer structures. A collaborative and relationship-oriented professional, the Assistant Director must effectively manage multiple priorities, foster meaningful relationships with constituents, and turn engagement into lasting alumni connections. This role collaborates with Annual Giving and other College Relations colleagues to support broader institutional objectives, while Annual Giving maintains primary responsibility for solicitation strategies, reunion giving, volunteer fundraising efforts, and the annual fund performance.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement plan for regional and affinity-based programs that enhances alumni connections to the College and aligns with institutional priorities.
• Plan, execute, and assess regional alumni events and affinity-based engagement activities to boost participation, build relationships, and create meaningful experiences for constituents.
• Recruit, onboard, train, support, and steward alumni volunteers in collaboration with the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement and other College Relations team members.
• Develop and sustain effective volunteer engagement strategies, including setting clear expectations, establishing communication plans, implementing recognition efforts, and providing ongoing stewardship.
• Develop and oversee year-round alumni programs and initiatives that promote a sense of belonging, encourage participation, and support lifelong engagement beyond major signature weekends.
• Assist in the reunion committee engagement efforts alongside the Associate Director and the larger Alumni and Parent Engagement team, focusing on volunteer communication, participation, and the overall experience of constituents.
• Assist the Director with Alumni Council operations, volunteer continuity, and related communications as needed.
• Work with Advancement Communications and other campus partners to promote alumni engagement opportunities using clear, consistent, and audience-appropriate messaging.
• Collaborate with the Office of Annual Giving, Major Gifts, and other College Relations colleagues to identify highly engaged alumni and volunteers for deeper institutional involvement and philanthropic pipeline growth, while primarily focusing on engagement instead of fundraising strategy.
• Track engagement, volunteer efforts, and program results; develop metrics and generate reports to evaluate effectiveness and find areas for growth and improvement.
• Prompt appropriate colleagues to ensure timely follow-up on events and programs, including tracking attendance, coding constituents, stewardship communication, and internal reporting.
• Participate in and support other events and initiatives organized by the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, including occasional travel and work during evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of professional experience in alumni relations, advancement, higher education, volunteer management, event/program management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage engagement programs and events from concept through execution and assessment.
• Experience recruiting, managing, motivating, and stewarding volunteers preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with alumni, volunteers, colleagues, campus partners, and other constituents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, solve problems independently, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience with databases, CRM systems, event-management platforms, email marketing tools, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive engagement opportunities for alumni from a wide range of backgrounds, generations, affinities, and geographic regions.
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel as required for programs and events.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $62,000-$64,000. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location

Schenectady, NY

Benefits

• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays (in accordance with policy)
• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Exchange

Background Checks

In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation

Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).

Union College

Union College Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth-oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem-solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at [e-mail] or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.

Diversity at Union College

Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity.