Director for Alumni Engagement

Michigan Technological University; Houghton (MI); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Director for Alumni Engagement to lead a comprehensive alumni program serving over 80,000 living alumni and friends worldwide. The role reports to the Vice President for Advancement and collaborates with Admissions, Career Services, Athletics, Student Affairs, and academic units.

You will oversee programs, events, staff, and volunteers, coordinate regional programming, and travel to engage alumni, build partnerships, and strengthen the university's

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five years of professional experience in higher education, non-profit, or related fields.
• Experience planning, coordinating and executing events.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Implement and support programs to increase alumni engagement on campus, nationally, and worldwide.
• Coordinate Alumni Board programs and support committees and projects.
• Collaborate with Advancement staff to support visitors and programs.
• Lead reunion committees and manage regional programming calendars.
• Travel as required to represent Michigan Tech at events and engage alumni and donors.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Volunteer management

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (desirable)

Tools

CRM software

Event management tools

Job description

This Job Posting is open for Michigan Tech University employees (Internal).

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

The Director for Alumni Engagement at Michigan Technological University works collaboratively with the Vice President and the alumni and the advancement senior leadership team to support the and maintain a comprehensive program designed to provide meaningful opportunities for alumni and friends. This position serves as an on-campus spokesperson for over 80,000 living alumni, leads efforts to create and sustain strong value connections for alumni and friends across the state, country, and around the world. The Director will also collaborate with university units, such as Admissions, Career Services, Parent and Family Programs, Athletics, Student Affairs, and academic colleges and departments.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• 1. Implement and support a variety of programs to increase alumni engagement on campus, across the country, and around the world.
• 2. Serve as the university liaison between the Alumni Board and the University. Coordinate the Alumni Board of Directors programs, support board committees and special project teams, including all revenue-generating programs.
• 3. Works collaboratively with all Advancement and Alumni Engagement staff to ensure the office is equipped to serve alumni and other stakeholders who visit or contact the office, as well as support programs and services and positively represent the University.
• 4. Direct strategies for alumni outreach programs (both on- and off-campus) including reunions, university programs, regional programming, affinity groups and others, as needed.
• 5. Coordinate alumni activities and volunteer opportunities with university departments.
• 6. Travel is required to represent Michigan Tech at functions, both on- and off-campus to maintain and foster relationships with alumni, friends, board members and alumni volunteers.
• 7. Assist campus advisory and volunteer boards to fulfill their advisory function by working closely with Deans, Center Directors, and other university leadership to ensure they have access to a wide array of expert alumni and donors in support of our mission.
• 8. Make policy and programmatic recommendations to the Vice President of Advancement and the Alumni Board of Directors and implement as necessary.
• 9. Work collaboratively with colleagues across the university to identify and cultivate a pipeline of volunteers and implement best practices across the volunteer continuum and to connect those groups to our alumni engagement strategy.
• 10. Work collaboratively with the Assistant to the VP for A&AE on finances and budgets of the Alumni Engagement office and the Alumni Board of Directors.
• 11. Oversee all aspects of the Presidential Council of Alumnae - including but not limited to the nomination, selection, induction, and service /event engagement components of this accomplished group of alumni.
• 12. Work with the A&AE communications team to engage alumni and friends through print, web, social media, direct mail and email communication vehicles.
• 13. Coordinate a robust and varied alumni regional programming calendar, to engage a diverse population of alumni all over the country and around the world.
• 14. Serve on campus committees as requested.
• 15. Provide oversight, direction and support for the Presidential Council of Alumnae.
• 16. Lead the development and staffing of reunion committees in support of our class-based giving program and reunion weekend.
• 17. Oversee the welcome of new alumni through effective communication and programming introducing them to “alumnihood” at Michigan Tech.
• 18. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
• 19. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor's degree.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and meet Michigan Tech University’s vehicle use requirements.

Required Experience

• Five years professional experience in higher education, non-profit, or similar environments with focus on relationship marketing, communications, advertising/marketing or other closely related positions.
• Experience in planning, coordinating and executing events.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers.
• Capability to travel by automobile, airplane and commute efficiently in many parts of the US and abroad.
• Experience using personal computers and basic software packages.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Master's degree.
• Experience working in higher education and alumni relations administration.
• Supervisory experience.
• Graduate of Michigan Technological University.
• Experience with managing/supporting a board.
• Fundraising/Annual giving experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, oral/written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent group presentation skills. (oral/electronic, good use of language, clear presentation ability, comfort in front of an audience).
• Demonstrated success in program development evaluation and implementation, organizing, and evaluating special events, personnel supervision, and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, organize, and motivate volunteers in achieving the mission and goals of the Alumni Engagement office.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as an advocate for the University and its alumni while displaying a high degree of energy and initiative.
• Demonstrated leadership success in working with diverse constituencies (Age, race, nationality, culture, etc.) Demonstrated ability to understand financial data and budgets.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to work with confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a positive attitude while handling multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated willingness, ability, and enthusiasm to travel to off-campus events and engage in weekend functions.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work beyond usual working hours. Demonstrated ability to work collegially and effectively as part of a team.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of university organizational structures and operations.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

• Moving small- to medium-sized boxes of materials in and out office during special events
• Driving personal or university vehicles or golf-cart during special events to transport materials and supplies to events
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate
• Fast-paced
• Results-oriented
• Accountability-driven
• Agile

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

• Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses:
• Employee Safety Overview
• Annual Data Security Training
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.

Background Check

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1.0

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

The minimum salary for this position is $75,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement

Posting Type

Internal-Only

Dependent on Funding

No

Advertised: 14 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications Close:

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

Michigan Technological University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex and gender. Michigan Tech also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Reports of misconduct, questions regarding Title IX , and concerns about noncompliance should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator . For a complete copy of the policy or more information, please contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).