Associate Director, Alumni Relations

Hamilton College; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton College is seeking an Associate Director of Alumni Relations to lead volunteer engagement, develop programs, and advance strategic initiatives across alumni programming and reunions. The role emphasizes relationship-building, collaboration with campus partners, and acting as a trusted resource to the Director.

Ideal candidates will have strong leadership, independent initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while ensuring exceptional constituent service and program

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years in alumni relations or related field.
• Experience building relationships with volunteers or constituents.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary staff liaison to Alumni Council committees, supporting chairs and volunteers.
• Guide reunion committees through planning cycles, timelines and traditions.
• Capture volunteer vision and coordinate meeting follow-up to keep volunteers engaged.
• Develop alumni programming with campus partners and volunteers.
• Represent the College as an Alumni Office ambassador with professionalism and warmth.
• Train and supervise Alumni Relations interns and assign work.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Meeting facilitation

Relationship-building

Volunteer management

Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Description: Position Summary The Associate Director, Alumni Relations plays a key leadership role in Alumni Relations, building relationships, developing programming, facilitating volunteer leadership, and driving strategic initiatives across volunteer engagement, reunion planning, and alumni programming. In addition, this position acts as a trusted resource to the Director, using sound judgment to advance departmental priorities and continuity. Ideal candidates are strong relationship-builders who are comfortable both taking initiative independently and collaborating on broader team goals.

Volunteer & Committee Leadership

• Serve as primary staff liaison to assigned Alumni Council committees (Community Engagement Committee, Hamilton Career Network), supporting chairs and volunteers in meeting annual goals
• Guide reunion committees through the full planning cycle, balancing volunteer creativity with Reunion traditions, institutional priorities, and timelines
• Capture volunteer vision and partner with colleagues on execution; coordinate meeting follow-up (notes, action items, deadlines) to keep volunteers engaged and on schedule
• Identify, cultivate, and lead talent for volunteer roles and events

Programming & Engagement

• Support development of alumni programming and engagement initiatives with volunteers, faculty, campus partners, and Advancement colleagues
• Assist with shaping programming that reflects volunteer interests, institutional priorities, and philanthropic opportunities
• Manage alumni listservs to promote programs and drive participation across class years, affinities, and regions

Constituent Service & Ambassadorship

• Serve as a trusted, responsive resource for alumni and volunteers, answering questions, resolving concerns, connecting them to the right campus partners
• Represent the College with professionalism, warmth, and sound judgment as an Alumni Office ambassador

Team & Departmental Support

• Support the Director in advancing departmental goals through leadership of assigned initiatives and projects
• Train and provide day-to-day direction to Alumni Relations intern(s) including but not limited to, assigning work, performance feedback, supporting development (in coordination with the Alumni Office intern manager)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree
• Five-plus years in alumni relations, volunteer management, higher education, nonprofits, communications, events, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience building successful relationships with volunteers, constituents, or community partners

Preferred Experience

• Facilitating committees, volunteer groups, or collaborative projects
• Experience mentoring or directing student employees or interns
• Background in higher education, advancement, or nonprofit organizations

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building, and volunteer management skills
• Strong organizational skills, balancing multiple priorities, deadlines, and volunteer-driven initiatives
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and meeting-facilitation skills
• Ability to build consensus and foster productive relationships among diverse stakeholders
• Strong initiative, flexibility, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Commitment to exceptional constituent service - professionalism, empathy, patience, discretion
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, shared drives)
• Ability to learn alumni engagement and enterprise systems
• Ability to travel occasionally, staff events, and work evenings/weekends as needed

Compensation Range: $65,000 - $70,000 per year

EEO Policy: Hamilton College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes a wide array of experiences, backgrounds and viewpoints as integral components of academic excellence. Candidates who can contribute to those goals are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in these areas.

Benefits: For Benefits Information, please navigate to the following link: Employment - Work at Hamilton - Hamilton College