Assistant Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement

The New School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Tuition waiver for employees

Flexible work options

Job summary

The New School is seeking an Assistant Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement to lead university-wide volunteer programs and alumni networks. You will recruit, train, and support volunteers while partnering with Career Services, schools, and campus offices to drive alumni-to-student mentoring and career engagement.

Hybrid/onsite collaboration is common, with occasional travel and evenings/weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Three+ years of relevant experience in higher education, nonprofit advancement, alumni relations, community engagement, or volunteer management.
• Strong organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience building career mentoring, networking, or student-to-alumni engagement programs preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple programs, events, and deadlines in a dynamic setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee university-wide alumni volunteer programs with goals, timelines, and success metrics.
• Design and manage alumni-to-student mentoring, career networking, and professional development initiatives.
• Lead design of regional and affinity engagement strategies and communities.
• Coordinate Alumni Council activities, meetings, and reporting to leadership.
• Manage digital platforms (LinkedIn, Graduway) and alumni communications.

Skills

Alumni relations

Volunteer management

Event planning

CRM systems

Communication

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang college of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

The Assistant Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement creates, strengthens, and manages volunteer initiatives that cultivate dynamic, supportive alumni networks and meaningful opportunities for engagement in support of Development and Alumni Engagement efforts at The New School. Reporting to the Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement, the Assistant Director develops opportunities for alumni at every career and life stage—from recent graduates to established alumni—to contribute their time, expertise, networks, and resources in support of students, fellow alumni, and the university. The position leads university‑wide alumni volunteer programs, with particular emphasis on alumni‑to‑student mentorship, career engagement, reunion host committees, admissions volunteer opportunities, regional and affinity engagement, and online alumni communities. The Assistant Director is responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers while building programs that foster lifelong connection. The role combines relationship management, communications, data analysis, and hands‑on program execution. The Assistant Director works closely with both external constituents and internal colleagues across The New School.

ALUMNI VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Manage university‑wide alumni volunteer programs, including annual goals, strategies, timelines, participation targets, and measures of success, that advance institutional priorities and strengthen lifelong alumni connection. Create inclusive opportunities for alumni at all career and life stages to contribute their time, expertise, and professional networks and engage with students, recent graduates, fellow alumni, and the University. Develop and maintain a comprehensive volunteer‑management framework covering role development, recruitment, screening, onboarding, training, communication, support, recognition, stewardship, retention, and participation tracking. Support the annual Alumni Reunion by designing and managing reunion volunteer operations, including committee recruitment, onboarding, training, role development, outreach plans, participation goals, communications, and ongoing support. Assist the Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement with developing and managing the Alumni Council of The New School, including member recruitment, onboarding, communications, meeting preparation, and ongoing engagement. Act as lead coordinator for the Alumni and Student Engagement Committee of the Alumni Council by setting annual priorities, developing agendas, facilitating meetings, coordinating follow‑up, and reporting outcomes to leadership.

ALUMNI AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Design and manage alumni‑to‑student mentoring, career networking, and professional‑development initiatives in partnership with Career Services, the schools, faculty, and campus offices. Support the Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement in developing a comprehensive regional and local engagement strategy by developing priority alumni lists, segmented engagement strategies, and industry‑based communities based on expertise, affiliation, career stage, volunteer history, and engagement interests. Build and support mentoring, career, industry, regional, affinity, and interest‑based communities across The New School Network and other approved digital platforms. Represent Alumni Engagement at university programs, volunteer activities, alumni events, and institutional gatherings.

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA

Manage alumni digital platforms, including LinkedIn and Graduway, and develop digital strategies that promote interaction, knowledge sharing, professional connection, and engagement. Partner with schools and campus offices to increase awareness, adoption, and effective use of alumni digital platforms; monitor participation, assess engagement, gather feedback, and recommend improvements. Write, edit, and proofread clear, compelling, inclusive, and accessible alumni volunteer communications. Enter and review alumni data in the Salesforce CRM to improve the accuracy and completeness of alumni career, employer, title, industry, volunteer, event, committee, mentoring, engagement, and contact information.

QUALIFICATIONS

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in higher education, nonprofit advancement, alumni relations, community engagement, volunteer management, or another mission‑driven environment, with a demonstrated record of directing and growing community volunteerism, engagement programs, communications, and events in an education or nonprofit setting. Exceptional organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong attention to detail. Strong relationship‑building and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments, academic units, and teams. Demonstrated proficiency with CRM systems, event registration tools, online community platforms, or comparable technologies. Experience developing career, mentoring, professional networking, or student‑to‑alumni engagement programs preferred. Ability to independently and collaboratively manage multiple programs, events, communications projects, partnerships, stakeholders, and deadlines in a frequently evolving environment. Availability to work some evenings and weekends and travel occasionally, as required.

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in‑person and is based on campus to support effective in‑person collaboration and engagement. Hybrid work arrangements may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis, depending on the nature of the role and operational needs. Any such arrangement must be discussed and approved in advance by the appropriate division lead or their designee.

SALARY RANGE

$70,000-$80,000

WHY JOIN US?

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward‑thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.

BENEFITS AT THE NEW SCHOOL

The New School is committed to supporting the well‑being and success of our faculty and staff . We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their eligible dependents.

• Health & Wellness Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Financial Wellness Retirement plan administered by TIAA
• Qualified Transportation Expense Plan
• Work-Life Balance Paid vacation and sick leave, with accruals starting on your first day
• Paid holidays and floating holidays
• Workmode & Telework Policy (if applicable)
• Professional Growth Career advancement and professional development opportunities
• Access to university programs, lectures, and events featuring world‑renowned speakers and organizations
• Tuition waiver benefit for eligible employees and dependents
• Employee discounts with local vendors and service providers

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We look forward to receiving your application! Since our founding in 1919, The New School has redrawn and redefined the boundaries of intellectual and creative thought as a preeminent academic center. At our university, students have the academic freedom to shape their unique, individual paths for a complex and rapidly changing world. As a New School employee, you will be a part of the university’s mission to prepare and inspire students to bring about positive change in the world.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.