Director of Alumni Engagement

Sidwell Friends School; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Free lunch

Public transportation support

Employee parking

Job summary

Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC seeks a Director of Alumni Engagement to plan and manage a comprehensive program for alumni aligned with the school’s strategic goals. The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, signature events, and collaboration with the Senior Director of Engagement and volunteer boards.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree with 4–6 years in alumni engagement, plus strong communication, fundraising acumen, and willingness to travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with 4–6 years in alumni engagement, preferably in higher education or independent schools.
• Experience in fundraising, stewardship, and engagement programming.
• Professionalism, discretion, creativity, travel willingness, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with alumni databases and digital engagement tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identify metrics and goals for alumni engagement and analyze data.
• Oversee signature alumni events like Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.
• Collaborate with leadership and volunteer boards to align goals with the Strategic Plan.
• Manage alumni engagement tools and systems, including directory and mentoring platform.
• Plan programs that prepare students for alumni experiences and engage young alumni.
• Foster collaboration between alumni engagement and giving to drive philanthropy.
• Recruit, train, and retain volunteers.
• Manage committees under the Friends Alumni Network and affinity groups.

Skills

Strategic planning

Data analytics

Project management

Event management

Communication

Collaboration

Relationship management

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge/NXT

Almabase

Finalsite

Job description

Department: Office of School Advancement

Location: Washington, DC

Position Start Date: September 2026

Status: Full-time

About Sidwell Friends School Sidwell Friends School is a dynamic pre-kindergarten through grade 12 educational community located in Bethesda, Maryland and Washington, DC. The school is grounded in Quaker values of ethical leadership, global citizenship, environmental stewardship, and service.

Position Overview

The Director of Alumni Engagement, reporting to the Senior Director of Engagement, plays a key role in planning, implementing, and managing a comprehensive engagement program for alumni. This position creates and measures engagement opportunities for alumni to connect with each other and with the life of the School in alignment with the School’s alumni engagement strategic plan and the Advancement department’s overall goals. The Director of Alumni Engagement has a demonstrated track record of strategic planning, data analytics, collaboration, innovation, and creativity, and is well-versed in alumni engagement best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify the key metrics and goals for alumni engagement; oversee the collection and analysis of data, evaluate program success, and employ data‑based decision making to strengthen the alumni programs.
• Oversee and manage the execution of signature alumni events such as Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and Let Your Life Speak Morning.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Engagement and the Friends Alumni Network Advisory Board volunteers to develop and implement strategic goals and objectives that align with the School’s Strategic Plan.
• Bring an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to the management of alumni engagement tools and systems, including the recently relaunched alumni directory and developing mentorship platform.
• Collaborate with Individual Giving colleagues and the Executive Assistant to plan and execute programming focused on preparing current students for their alumni experience and young alumni in college, including the Almost Alumni Celebration, 100 Days activity, College Dinner Series, College Care Package, College Connections Program, and other identified activities.
• Facilitate close collaboration between alumni engagement and giving. Turn increased engagement into philanthropic support and build momentum around signature alumni programs such as Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and beyond.
• Support the identification, recruitment, training, and retention of volunteers, in coordination with Engagement and Individual Giving colleagues.
• Manage two standing committees under the Friends Alumni Network Advisory Board:
  • Let Your Life Speak Committee – select and recruit alumni to serve as speakers for the Let Your Life Speak Morning event and manage all event logistics.
  • Dehejia Fellows Program Committee – recruit alumni internship hosts, promote the program to the broader School community, and coordinate with the Center for Ethical Leadership and donor engagement staff for logistics.
• Manage affinity‑based volunteer groups in alignment with strategic priorities:
  • Black Alumni Alliance – manage all sub‑committees, execute associated events, and plan and implement the bi‑annual Black Alumni Alliance Summit.
• Oversee the 50th Reunion year class for Reunion Weekend, and manage young alumni classes celebrating their 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th year reunions. Recruit and manage volunteers for these classes in partnership with Individual Giving colleagues.
• Work with Individual Giving colleagues to create personalized engagement opportunities for prospective donors.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree is required with four to six years of experience in alumni engagement, preferably in a higher‑education or independent school setting. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with deep understanding of sustained relationship management, fundraising, stewardship, and engagement programming. Professionalism, discretion, creativity, willingness to travel, and ability to handle confidential information are essential.

Required Skills & Experience

• Provide strategic development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive engagement program.
• Be a strategic, self‑motivated, highly dependable, independent worker capable of prioritizing and problem‑solving.
• Work efficiently in a fast‑paced environment, handling multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices in alumni engagement.
• Skilled in project and event management, both in‑person and virtual.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage complex, multi‑phase projects from inception to completion.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for collaborating with colleagues.
• Represent the School with internal and external constituents, attending events and social gatherings, including occasional nights and weekends as needed.
• Approximately 10% domestic travel required.

Experience using Raiser’s Edge/NXT, Almabase, and Finalsite in a non‑profit setting.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: $90,000–$100,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Sidwell Friends School offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, well‑being, and long‑term financial security. Benefits include multiple medical, dental, and vision plan options; school‑paid life and long‑term disability insurance; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; a 403(b) retirement plan with 7% school contribution and 3% employee contribution; generous paid time off; free lunch and parking; public transportation support; access to campus facilities; childcare and summer program discounts; and other community‑focused resources.

Diversity Statement

Sidwell Friends School affirms the centrality of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of academic and campus life. Honoring a multiplicity of voices, we celebrate shared joys and address tensions productively. Together, we are guided by Quaker testimonies and seek to nurture a sense of belonging in our community and demonstrate our commitment to a just world.

Sidwell Friends School
Human Resources Department
3825 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20016