Director of Alumni Outreach and Mentor Programs

SDSU Alumni & Foundation; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SDSU Alumni & Foundation seeks a Director of Alumni Outreach and Mentor Programs to lead the alumni mentoring initiative for SDSU students and recent graduates. You will coordinate programming, recruit and train alumni mentors, and present the organization’s mission to campus partners and friends.

The role requires strong relationship building, event planning, and program management skills, with travel and evening/weekend availability as needed to support events and programs.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• At least five years of professional experience in a related field (non-profit administration, higher education, project management, program creation, event planning, or communications).
• Prior supervisory experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the alumni mentor program from design to delivery and evaluation.
• Build relationships with campus administration, faculty, and staff to recruit students and mentors.
• Recruit and train alumni mentors for juniors and seniors preparing for careers.
• Deliver professional development programs in-person and virtually for alumni and students.
• Present SDSU Alumni & Foundation initiatives to diverse groups of alumni and partners.
• Provide collaborative leadership and clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support organizational goals through event planning, program creation, and strategic initiatives.
• Perform other duties as needed to meet the foundation's needs.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

Public speaking

Collaboration

Volunteer mobilization

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Director of Alumni Outreach and Mentor Programs provides comprehensive leadership in the development and administration of the alumni mentoring program for current South Dakota State University students and coordinates programming for young alumni career development. This role establishes relationships on behalf of the SDSU Alumni & Foundation, often acting as a representative of the organization in presentations, meetings, and events. This position interacts with a wide variety of constituencies including internal team members, campus partners, alumni, and friends to support the strategic initiatives of the organization.

Alumni Mentor Program

• Organize, implement, and execute the alumni to student mentor program.
• Establish relationships with campus administration, faculty, and staff to recruit students to the program.
• Recruit and train alumni mentors to work with South Dakota State University juniors and seniors preparing for careers after college
• Deliver and facilitate professional development programs in-person and virtually for alumni and students.
• Drive the strategic vision for the student mentor program and execute the deliverables
• Evaluate and measure success against short-term and long-term goals.

Representation and Presentation

• Represent the SDSU Alumni & Foundation to groups of alumni and friends of the university.
• Participate in SDSU Alumni & Foundation and university events, which may require travel and night and weekend availability
• Present to groups of alumni and friends on a variety of topics relevant to the SDSU Alumni & Foundation and the university.

Collaborative Leadership

• Provide collaborative leadership to organizational colleagues.
• Facilitate communication with internal and external stakeholders
• Engage in professional development activities that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the university and with colleagues at peer institutions.

Other Duties

• Other duties may be assigned to meet the organization’s needs

Education and Previous Experience

Associate or bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. At least five years of professional experience in a related field (such as non-profit administration, higher education, project management, program creation, event planning, or communications) is required. Prior supervisory experience is preferred.

Additional Qualifications

Qualified individuals will possess the following:

• Ability to steward collaboration and productivity with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to mobilize and maximize volunteer alumni support.
• A high level of interpersonal skills, both in person and by phone, to handle sensitive and confidential situations with varied internal and external constituencies
• Customer service skills requiring clear communication in person, on the phone, and in writing are essential
• A high level of integrity, including ability to treat confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to be organized and resourceful to locate and compile information and accomplish projects with minimal supervision.
• Consistent attention to detail in composing and proofing materials, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment with professional demeanor, self-reliance, and resourcefulness.
• Dependability and punctuality
• High energy, positive attitude, and high degree of initiative
• Proficient experience using the most recent versions of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software (i.e. MSWord, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Typical Physical Demands

Requires sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and some lifting. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office and/or clerical equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Employee Statement of Understanding

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Regular attendance is required in this job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The SDSU Alumni & Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About The South Dakota State University Alumni & Foundation

The South Dakota State University (SDSU) Alumni & Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The Alumni & Foundation strives to engage alumni, friends and business partners with SDSU through events, strategic communication and outreach, and serves as the exclusive provider of fundraising and financial management of private gifts designated for the university.

The SDSU Alumni & Foundation was formed on January 1, 2026, through the consolidation of the university’s two largest supporting organizations: the SDSU Alumni Association and the SDSU Foundation. The Alumni Association was founded in 1889; the Foundation was formed in 1945.

The governing boards of both organizations voted unanimously on October 10, 2025, to consolidate into the SDSU Alumni and Foundation. Together, the organization is an influential force in keeping SDSU’s traditions alive and advancing South Dakota State University.