Director of Alumni Engagement

Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Health insurance

HSA contributions

Life and AD&D insurance

Long-Term Disability insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

403(b) retirement plan

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness program

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Hebrew Union College seeks a Director of Alumni Engagement to connect with a global alumni network and coordinate with North America and Israel. The DAE will build relationships, manage data, communications, events, and volunteer leadership to enable meaningful engagement.

This role blends relationship-building with operations, acting as an ambassador, advisor, and implementer to guide flagship events, direct outreach, fundraising solicitations, and institutional communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years in leadership roles within complex nonprofit or higher education.
• Master's degree required.
• Experience working with organizations in Israel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for HUC's alumni community.
• Lead staff for the President's Rabbinical Council (PRC).
• Plan HUC in the Berkshires and other flagship alumni engagement events.
• Lead alumni fundraising, including campaigns tied to honorary degree recipients, ordination mentors, annual fund and scholarships, and other giving opportunities.
• Represent HUC at professional conferences, Reform Movement gatherings, and community events.
• Represent the alumni perspective in institutional discussions.

Skills

Relationship management

Fundraising

Event planning

Stakeholder engagement

Nonprofit leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Description

About Hebrew Union College

Founded in 1875, Hebrew Union College (HUC) is North America's leading institution of higher Jewish education and the center for professional leadership development of Reform Judaism. With campuses in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and New York, HUC educates rabbis, cantors, Jewish educators, nonprofit leaders, and scholars while advancing Jewish scholarship and learning worldwide.

Our mission is to build vibrant Progressive Judaism by educating visionary leaders, advancing Jewish scholarship, and studying Jewish life through an open, egalitarian, inclusive, and pluralistic lens.

Position Summary

HUC seeks an experienced, mission-driven Director of Alumni Engagement (DAE) to serve as the institution's primary connector to its alumni community. Reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and working in collaboration with colleagues across North America and Israel, the DAE plays a dual role: building and sustaining meaningful relationships with HUC's diverse alumni body, and ensuring the operational infrastructure—data, communications, events, and volunteer leadership—that makes those relationships possible.

This is a role that requires both relational depth and operational range. The DAE is simultaneously an ambassador, an advisor, and an implementer: representing alumni perspectives internally, stewarding key volunteer leadership bodies, and executing a year-round program of engagement that spans flagship events, direct outreach, fundraising solicitations, and institutional communications.

The DAE is a member of the senior Institutional Advancement team and works closely with the President, Provost, Deans, Board of Governors, and key alumni volunteers to connect with graduates throughout the world.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for HUC's alumni community, maintaining direct and ongoing contact with alumni across all programs and geographic regions
• Serve as lead staff for the President's Rabbinical Council (PRC), including convening meetings, managing relationships with members, and philanthropy
• Plan HUC in the Berkshires and other flagship alumni engagement events
• Lead alumni fundraising, including campaigns tied to honorary degree recipients, ordination mentors, annual fund and scholarships, and other giving opportunities
• Represent HUC at professional conferences, Reform Movement gatherings, and community events, with a focus on alumni engagement and institutional visibility
• Represent the alumni perspective in institutional discussions, bringing knowledge of alumni priorities

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's degree
• 10+ years of experience in a complex nonprofit or higher education institution, in a leadership and management role.

• Master's degree
• Experience working with organizations in Israel

Benefits

Hebrew Union College offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including:

• Hybrid work environment
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions for eligible employees
• Employer-paid Life and AD&D insurance
• Employer-paid Long-Term Disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and matching
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness program with the opportunity to earn up to $250 annually
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities

Why Join HUC?

At Hebrew Union College, you'll join a collaborative community dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development, and advancing Jewish life. You'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, create impactful programs, and contribute to an institution with a 150-year legacy of educating leaders who make a difference around the world.Hebrew Union College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are respected, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Salary Description

$150,000 - 175,000