Director of Alumni Engagement

McDon; Owings Mills (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid Leave

Tuition Discount

Job summary

McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD seeks a Director of Alumni Engagement to lead programs, strategy, and partnerships that engage alumni in school life and support philanthropy. You will recruit alumni as volunteers, help cultivate gifts, and shape engagement across events, communications, and networks.

The role requires 5–7 years in alumni relations or related nonprofit work, a Bachelor’s (Master’s preferred), and strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.
• 5–7 years in alumni relations, development, or nonprofit mgmt.
• Experience with fundraising databases is preferred (Raiser’s Edge).

Responsibilities

• Design and implement programs to engage alumni in school life.
• Develop a strategic plan for alumni engagement with measurable goals.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy Team to cultivate gifts.
• Plan and oversee alumni events and regional gatherings.
• Manage communications: Class Notes, alumni pages, and newsletters.
• Travel nationally/regionally to cultivate alumni.

Skills

Alumni relations

Fundraising

Nonprofit mgmt

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Director of Alumni Engagement# Director of Alumni EngagementMcDonogh School - Owings Mills, MD 21117## OverviewSalary Range$80,000.00 - $90,000.00 Salary/yearLevelExperiencedEducation Level4 Year Degree## Description**Title: Director of Alumni Engagement****Status:** 12-Month, Full-Time**Department:** Philanthropy**Reporting to:** Chief Philanthropy Officer**Availability:** October 2026**Compensation:** $80-90K**Benefits:** Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Leave, Tuition Discount, and other benefits offered.The Director of Alumni Engagement is responsible for providing innovative leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for the Alumni Engagement program. The Director serves as an ambassador, charged with recruiting alumni to provide professional expertise and volunteer service; collaborating with colleagues to create and maintain pathways for alumni participation in school life; partnering with co-workers to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni giving; and serving as a liaison between the Alumni Association and McDonogh’s academic and administrative leadership.Essential Functions* Design, plan, and implement programs and projects to engage alumni in the life of the school* Develop a strategic plan for alumni engagement. Leverage data and metrics to measure program effectiveness and assess the return on investment for alumni events and engagement strategies* Collaborate with Philanthropy Team to cultivate and solicit gifts for the school* Coordinate and attend all Alumni Board and committee meetings including preparation of meeting materials and meeting logistics* Assist with planning and logistics of all Alumni Board committees* Identify, recruit, and cultivate alumni as volunteers for event hosting and support, for features and profiles in publications, and to provide career guidance to students and fellow alumni, among other volunteer opportunities* Plan and oversee alumni events, including but not limited to regional gatherings, Reunion Weekend, Dedication Day and more* Develop and manage a comprehensive alumni event calendar, budget, and measurable goals. Work with the greater team to ensure all events are added to the school calendar* In partnership with the Director of Philanthropy Communications, develop strategic marketing plans for all alumni events and activities* Oversee, manage, and edit Class Notes and alumni pages of the McDonogh Magazine, content for alumni newsletters, alumni pages of the McDonogh website, and alumni social media accounts* Travel nationally and regionally to visit and cultivate alumni. Plan regional alumni events and coordinate event logistics with alumni hosts* Oversee and manage alumni awards and ceremonies including the Distinguished Service Award, Young Alumni Award, and the Athletic Hall of Fame. Manage and schedule selection committees, prepare selection materials, notify recipients, and coordinate all aspects of the award presentation ceremony* Coordinate memorial services and award ceremonies as needed* Partner with school leaders to manage the McDonogh Connect platform, including data updates and customer support for alumni seeking to join the network; work with the Philanthropy team members to develop content and engagement strategies* Engage current students in alumni programming through the Almost Alumni program* Write reports for Board of Trustees meetings and Philanthropy Committee meetings, and other leadership updates## QualificationsBachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. Must have at least 5-7 years of experience in alumni relations, development, nonprofit management, client service or related field.#### Additional Experience* Demonstrated experience with fundraising databases - Raiser’s Edge preferred* Must have strong computer and analytical skills* Must have working knowledge and skillset with the Microsoft Office and Google suites of products#### Additional Requirements* A commitment to the McDonogh mission and values* Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and sophisticated fundraising environment* Commitment to continued learning (personal and team) and development on issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion* Demonstrated respect for relationships both internal and external to the school* Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills* Must be a proactive and strategic thinker* Must be detail-oriented and able to handle multiple priorities and deadlines* Must be self-motivated and able to participate effectively in a team* Strong verbal and written communication skillsWorking ConditionsEvening and weekend hours are required. Lifting and carrying of equipment is typical, generally under 25 pounds, with occasional need to lift up to 50 pounds. Lifting up to 25 pounds. Must be willing to travel as needed to represent the School. Other working conditions include climbing stairs, walking around campus, sitting, standing, and significant computer use including extensive close use of a computer monitor.# About McDonogh School## Joy Lives Here!McDonogh is a joyful teaching and learning community built on academic excellence, unparalleled opportunity, and lifelong relationships.