Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement - #202895

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC is seeking an Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement to lead college-based and affinity-based programming, coordinate with campus partners, and promote alumni participation.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Engagement, the role oversees events such as Homecoming, drives giving campaigns, and maintains Raiser's Edge records to support engagement and philanthropy.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience with public relations, volunteer groups, event coordination, and Raiser's Edge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, promote, and execute college-centered alumni events, programs, recognition efforts, and engagement opportunities on campus and in regional markets.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with engagement and development colleagues to create and execute alumni engagement strategies aligned with academic priorities.
• Coordinate with Advancement Communications to develop messaging that enhances visibility of college engagement programs and accomplishments, while sharing alumni success stories to strengthen institutional pride.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues to help identify alumni who may be strong prospects for volunteerism, philanthropy, first-time giving, or leadership opportunities.
• Serve as a liaison to established affinity communities, providing strategic guidance, event support, and communication resources.
• Assist affinity communities with planning and implementing engagement initiatives that foster connection, sustain participation, and inspire initial financial contributions.
• Recruit, develop, and support volunteer leaders and ambassadors who help drive affinity engagement and assist with regional outreach.
• Monitor progress and engagement trends within affinity communities and provide regular updates to Alumni Engagement leadership and liaisons.
• Assist in planning and executing major alumni events such as Homecoming, reunions, and other university-hosted gatherings, ensuring timely, strategic post-event follow-up to transition attendees into pipeline prospects.
• Collaborate with Advancement staff to drive alumni participation in giving campaigns, including university-wide giving days, with a specific emphasis on new donor acquisition.
• Manage engagement portfolios of assigned partners, donors, and volunteers connected to academic colleges and affinity communities, including outreach, stewardship, cultivation for first-time gifts, and tracking of engagement activity.
• Maintain accurate alumni records, engagement activity, and contact information in Raiser's Edge in coordination with Advancement Services.

Skills

Communication

Detail oriented

Customer relations

Team player

Work ethic

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement - #202895

For questions and additional information, please contact Stacey Miller at [e-mail].

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

Reporting to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Engagement, the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement strengthens alumni connections to Western Carolina University through leading engagement initiatives centered on the university's academic colleges and affinity communities. These include coordinating with Advancement and campus partners around communications and storytelling, volunteer involvement, giving opportunities, and events in ways that promote meaningful alumni participation.

College-Based Alumni Engagement

• Plan, promote, and execute college-centered alumni events, programs, recognition efforts, and engagement opportunities on campus and in regional markets.


• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with engagement and development colleagues to create and execute alumni engagement strategies aligned with academic priorities.


• Coordinate with Advancement Communications to develop messaging that enhances visibility of college engagement programs and accomplishments, while sharing alumni success stories to strengthen institutional pride.


• Partner with Advancement colleagues to help identify alumni who may be strong prospects for volunteerism, philanthropy, first-time giving, or leadership opportunities.

Affinity-Based Alumni Engagement

• Serve as a liaison to established affinity communities, providing strategic guidance, event support, and communication resources.


• Assist affinity communities with planning and implementing engagement initiatives that foster connection, sustain participation, and inspire initial financial contributions.


• Recruit, develop, and support volunteer leaders and ambassadors who help drive affinity engagement and assist with regional outreach.


• Monitor progress and engagement trends within affinity communities and provide regular updates to Alumni Engagement leadership and liaisons.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing major alumni events such as Homecoming, reunions, and other university-hosted gatherings, ensuring timely, strategic post-event follow-up to transition attendees into pipeline prospects.


• Collaborate with Advancement staff to drive alumni participation in giving campaigns, including university-wide giving days, with a specific emphasis on new donor acquisition.


• Manage engagement portfolios of assigned partners, donors, and volunteers connected to academic colleges and affinity communities, including outreach, stewardship, cultivation for first-time gifts, and tracking of engagement activity.


• Maintain accurate alumni records, engagement activity, and contact information in Raiser's Edge in coordination with Advancement Services.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Excellent communication and composition skills, organized, detail oriented, strong customer relation skills, strong work ethic, and a team player.

Minimum Qualifications

• Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.


• Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous demonstrated experience with public relations, volunteer groups, event coordination, and Raisers Edge.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

40

Number of Months Per Year

12

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

• 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.


• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.


• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.


• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance.

• Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.


• Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.


• Optional disability plans are also available.


• Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses.


• Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.


• Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately.


• Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.


• WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Background and E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Posting Text

Open Date: 09/03/2026

Close Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes

Applicant Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application


2. Resume


3. List of references

Supplemental Questions

1. * Do you require sponsorship?
   
   
   • Yes
   
   
   • No