Director - Alumni Engagement & Affinity Programs

Culinary Institute of America; Town of Hyde Park (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan with high employer-con

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Job summary

The Culinary Institute of America’s Director of Alumni Engagement and Affinity Programs leads a global, data-informed alumni strategy for the world’s premier culinary, food and hospitality education institution. The role connects more than 55,000 CIA graduates across Hyde Park, Greystone, San Antonio, and Singapore to meaningful learning and professional opportunities.

The Director designs next-generation engagement models, builds affinity networks and regional programs, and collaborates with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or significant experience in lieu thereof.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in alumni engagement, constituent relations, advancement, membership organizations or related fields.
• Experience in higher education development.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling engagement programs across diverse constituencies.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global alumni engagement strategy aligned with CIA priorities and presidential vision.
• Establish a comprehensive alumni journey model from graduation through retirement.
• Lead multi-year roadmap for participation, volunteerism, mentorship, lifelong learning, career development, and philanthropy.
• Develop scalable engagement models with in-person, hybrid, and digital experiences.
• Build regional and international engagement programs and ambassador networks.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to position CIA as a lifelong professional development resource.

Skills

Relationship-building

Volunteer management

Constituent engagement

Leadership

Communication skills

Cross-organizational collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or significant experience in lieu thereof

Tools

Salesforce

Slate Advancement

Dynamics365

Job description

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. The recruiter can share more information about what the anticipated hiring salary would be based upon your specific qualifications during the selection process.

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

As the benefits package at the CIA results in a significant value above the base hiring salary for this position, we encourage you to apply so that our recruiters can share more information with you about the benefits of working for the CIA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Culinary Institute of America’s (CIA’s) Director of Alumni Engagement and Affinity Programs is responsible for using an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to build and lead a comprehensive global alumni engagement strategy for the world’s premier institution for culinary, food beverage and hospitality education. The Director positions the CIA as the lifelong learning partner for more than 55,000 alumni worldwide.

The Director of Alumni Engagement and Affinity Programs designs and implements a next-generation alumni engagement model that supports alumni throughout every stage of their professional journey. The Director oversees the creation and mobilization of a globally connected, data-informed engagement ecosystem that leverages the CIA's campuses in Hyde Park, New York; Greystone, California; San Antonio, Texas; and Singapore, while fostering meaningful connections among alumni, students, faculty, industry leaders, and the institution.

The Director leads the development of affinity networks, regional engagement programs, career-focused initiatives, lifelong learning opportunities, volunteer leadership structures, and alumni recognition programs designed to build authentic and enduring relationships with CIA graduates worldwide. Through these efforts, the Director enhances the vitality of the CIA's alumni network as well as the institution's global reputation and its influence on the food, beverage and hospitality industry.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global alumni engagement strategy aligned with the CIA's strategic priorities and presidential vision. Design a global alumni engagement strategy that serves the diverse interests and career stages of more than 55,000 alumni around the world. Establish a comprehensive alumni journey model from graduation through retirement.
• Position the CIA to alumni as the premier lifelong learning organization for culinary, food, beverage, hospitality, wellness, and related industries. Build engagement pathways that foster increasing levels of alumni involvement throughout their lifetime.
• Establish a multi-year roadmap for alumni engagement that advances measurable goals for participation, volunteerism, mentorship, lifelong learning, career development, and philanthropy. Develop scalable engagement models that combine in-person, hybrid, and digital experiences.
• Serve as the institution's primary strategist for alumni engagement and affinity programming.
• Develop benchmarks, performance metrics, and dashboards to measure engagement, participation, and alumni impact.
• Create alumni touchpoints that support career advancement, executive education, entrepreneurship, leadership development, professional networking, and industry innovation.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive U.S. regional engagement strategy in key alumni markets. Develop signature regional programs that reflect local alumni interests while advancing institutional priorities.
• Build a global engagement framework for international alumni communities and emerging markets.
• Create ambassador and influencer programs that strengthen the CIA's reputation worldwide. Recruit, train, and support regional volunteer leaders and alumni ambassadors. Establish methods for assessing and highlighting the professional and societal impact of CIA alumni globally.
• Create and lead a portfolio of affinity-based engagement programs that foster authentic community and belonging. Develop affinity networks organized around industry sectors, career interests, entrepreneurial ventures, alumni-owned businesses and executive leadership.
• Assess the professional influence, expertise, industry leadership, and global impact of CIA alumni.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to position the CIA as the lifelong professional development resource for alumni.
• Work in partnership with Vice President – Workforce Development and Industry Solutions to develop alumni-focused continuing education, certificate, executive education, and professional development opportunities.
• Create mentorship and career coaching programs connecting alumni, students, and industry professionals.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFCATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or significant experience in lieu thereof.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in alumni engagement, constituent relations, advancement, membership organizations, professional associations or related fields.
• Experience in higher education development.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling engagement programs across diverse constituencies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience engaging with global audiences and international constituents.
• Experience leading strategic initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Experience leveraging engagement strategies to support philanthropic outcomes.
• Experience working with a robust CRM system for constituent engagement (i.e. Salesforce, Slate Advancement or Dynamics365).
• Experience managing budgets, staff, and strategic partnerships.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong understanding of relationship-building, volunteer management, and constituent engagement principles.
• Familiarity with hospitality, culinary, food, beverage, or service-related industries.
• Ability to build trust and strong collaborative working relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills required, including the ability to form and mobilize intra-organizational teams to accomplish goals.
• Strong communication, presentation, facilitation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across complex organizations.
• Commitment to innovation and experimentation to build growth strategies.
• Strong knowledge in supporting organizational evolution work as part of alumni engagement.
• Demonstrated commitment to service, quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Strong computer experience, which must include the ability to work effectively with Microsoft Office suite products, including Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
• Frequent overnight domestic travel as well as occasional international travel required.
• Regular work requires the use of a computer, sometimes in excess of eight (8) hours per day.
• Regular work may require walking and standing for extended periods.