Associate Director, Alumni Engagement

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Northwestern University in Evanston, IL seeks an Associate Director of Alumni Engagement to lead volunteer engagement strategies for the Northwestern Alumni Association Communities team, reporting to the Senior Associate Director.

Responsibilities include recruiting and training volunteers, partnering with programs and events, and building dashboards to measure engagement and impact across regions with hybrid work options and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• 4 years of development, marketing, sales or related experience with relationship management and volunteer coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment, training, and ongoing support for alumni volunteers and serve as relationship manager.
• Partner with NAA Programs to align volunteer efforts with signature events and provide on-site support.
• Develop and maintain strategic plans for engagement across market segments, programs and volunteers.
• Collaborate with internal departments and university partners to achieve goals and optimize resources.
• Recruit and manage volunteers, coordinate events and communications, and provide training across locations.
• Oversee events and programs designed to expand engagement and ensure objectives are met.

Skills

Volunteer engagement

Relationship management

Strategic planning

Program oversight

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Department: Alumni Relations & Development

Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $75,000 - $80,000 annually.

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

We will be recruiting for two positions.

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Alumni Engagement serves as a volunteer engagement officer for the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) Communities team.Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, this role drives strategies for club leaders and reunion committees to deliver impactful engagement outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Volunteer Engagement: Lead recruitment, training, and ongoing support for alumni volunteers, serving as a relationship manager to strengthen connections and ensure a positive volunteer experience. May manage a portfolio of high-profile alumni volunteers, donors, and key partners.
• Program Oversight: Partner with the NAA Programs team to align volunteer efforts with NAA signature events and providing on-site support.

This position requires occasional work outside regular office hours and travel. Hybrid work options are available (up to three days in-office, two remote).

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Significant participation in developing strategic plans.
• Primary responsibility for administering & maintaining existing strategic plans relating to specific market segments, programs, events, support teams or high level volunteers to meet goals for engagement & participation.
• Recommends changes & improvements to processes, objectives, and goals based on evaluation of completed programs to dramatically increase engagement & participation & maximize & ensure most effective & efficient use of resources.

Collaboration

• Involves moderate- to-high-level of collaboration with both internal department partners and moderate level of collaboration with broader University partners to identify & integrate resources in order to accomplish strategic goals & objectives.
• Key partnerships and work involved below:
• Alumni Engagement Officers
• Regional Development Officers
• Annual Giving

Volunteers

• Recruits, engages, trains, and manages volunteers.
• Coordinates volunteer strategies with other development staff, including volunteer events, programming, marketing materials and social networking efforts.
• Manages & implements a variety of leadership training opportunities both in-person & virtually designed to meet the needs of entry level to advanced alumni leaders in locations around the world.
• Requires travels throughout the regions in portfolio.

Events

• Oversees development & management of events & programs designed to expand constituent engagement & participation across the globe.
• Reviews and approves event plans & summaries ensuring that overall goals & objectives are attained.
• Works directly with high level volunteers & donors to ensure that individual needs are met.

Administration

• Manages development and execution of programming and marketing related to engagement and philanthropy.
• Provides necessary documentation and follow-up to volunteers & internal contacts and inputs all volunteer and alumni activity in database.
• Monitors and analyzes volunteer engagement metrics.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices.
• Optimizes the use of technology including social media for marketing, communications & data reporting & analysis.
• Assists in the development of dashboards & metrics which provide quantitative analysis of program & event outcomes.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent roles requiring relationship management, program oversight, and volunteer coordination is required.
• Experience working with volunteers

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Demonstrates organization, curiosity, an analytical mindset, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Relationship Building & Volunteer Engagement: Builds trust, manages relationships, and supports volunteers effectively.
• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Responds flexibly to change, demonstrates resilience, and finds creative solutions.
• Communication & Influence: Clear, compelling written and verbal communication tailored to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Alumni relations experience preferred

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Working Across Perspectives: Effectively collaborates with individuals from varied backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, adapting communication and engagement approaches.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits.

The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs.

• health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid medical/sick and parental leave
• tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care
• generous retirement savings options
• wellness programs

For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life And Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.