Director of Alumni Relations

NC State University

Raleigh (NC)

On-site

USD 80,000 - 90,000

Full time

37 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University is seeking a Director of Alumni Relations in Raleigh to lead strategic alumni engagement and development efforts within the College of Veterinary Medicine. You will foster lifelong connections, increase alumni involvement, and advance fundraising priorities.

The role partners with college leadership, faculty, and advancement teams to implement a comprehensive alumni relations program that expands private support and enhances student success and institutional reputation.

Qualifications

Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout North Carolina, with occasional out of state travel as needed to engage donors and prospects.
Availability to work evenings and weekends to support donor cultivation events and advancement activities.
Proven ability to build effective relationships with faculty, administrators, volunteers, and advancement colleagues within a large, complex university or comparable organization.

Responsibilities

Cultivate strong relationships with alumni across all career stages, including recent graduates and distinguished alumni.
Design and deliver high-impact engagement opportunities, including events and programs.
Partner with faculty and leadership to strengthen alumni connections to academic programs and student experiences.
Oversee planning and execution of alumni events, including reunions and regional gatherings.

Skills

Relationship building

Leadership

Communication

CRM systems

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Posting Information

Posting Number

PG195029EP

Internal Recruitment

Working Title

Director of Alumni Relations

Anticipated Hiring Range

$80,000 - $90,000, commensurate with experience

Work Schedule

8am – 5pm; Monday through Friday (with evening and weekend availability, as needed)

Department

College Of Veterinary Medicine

About the Department

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation, Inc. advances the mission of the College of Veterinary Medicine by strengthening educational programs, supporting distinguished faculty, promoting research, and fostering meaningful partnerships with alumni and friends. Through strategic communications and development efforts, the Foundation works to expand private support and deepen engagement with the CVM community.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Director Overview

The Director of Alumni Relations provides strategic leadership and oversees all alumni engagement efforts within the College of Veterinary Medicine.

This position is responsible for fostering meaningful, lifelong connections between the College and its alumni community, increasing alumni involvement, advancing institutional goals, and promoting philanthropic support.

The Director works closely with college leadership, faculty, development teams, and external stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive alumni relations program that boosts engagement, supports student success, and helps the College grow its reputation and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Cultivate strong relationships with alumni across all career stages, including recent graduates, mid-career professionals, and distinguished alumni
Design and deliver high-impact engagement opportunities, including events, programs, and volunteer initiatives
Partner with faculty and leadership to strengthen alumni connections to academic programs and student experiences
Oversee the planning and execution of alumni events, including reunions, regional gatherings, continuing education programs, and signature college events
Ensure events are aligned with strategic priorities and deliver meaningful value to participants
Leverage both in-person and virtual formats to expand reach and accessibility
Develop and manage alumni volunteer programs, advisory boards, and ambassador networks
Engage alumni leaders in meaningful roles that support student mentorship, career development, and institutional advancement

Strategic Leadership, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

Develop and lead a comprehensive alumni relations strategy aligned with the College’s mission, vision, and fundraising priorities
Establish clear goals, metrics, and benchmarks for alumni engagement, participation, and impact
Identify and implement innovative approaches to engage a varied and global alumni base
Utilize data and analytics to inform strategy, track engagement, and measure outcomes
Maintain accurate alumni records in partnership with advancement services
Continuously assess and refine programs to improve effectiveness and impact

Development & Strategic Communications

Partner closely with development teams to support donor pipeline development and stewardship efforts
Identify, qualify, and help cultivate alumni with philanthropic potential
Integrate alumni engagement strategies with fundraising campaigns and initiatives
Collaborate with communications teams to develop targeted alumni messaging and storytelling strategies
Oversee alumni communications including newsletters, digital engagement, and social platforms
Ensure consistent, compelling, and brand-aligned communication with alumni audiences

Requirements

Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout North Carolina, with occasional out of state travel as needed to engage donors and prospects.
Availability to work evenings and weekends to support donor cultivation events and advancement activities.

Other Responsibilities

Additional Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications

Proven ability to build effective relationships with faculty, administrators, volunteers, and advancement colleagues within a large, complex research university or comparable organization.
Strong leadership and team collaboration skills, with the ability to guide and support advancement staff while contributing to a positive, team oriented culture.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Self motivated and proactive, with the ability to take initiative and advance fundraising opportunities independently.
Solution oriented mindset with strong judgment and the ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism and discretion.
High level of computer literacy and familiarity with advancement databases and fundraising tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree preferred; 3-5 years of experience in direct alumni relations and/or 5-7 years of experience in advancement, development, or a related field.
Demonstrated success in building and executing strategic engagement programs
Strong relationship‑building skills with the ability to engage varied stakeholders
Experience working in higher education, academic medicine, or veterinary medicine
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
Strong organizational and project management capabilities
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with senior leadership
Experience leveraging CRM systems and engagement analytics

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

A valid North Carolina driver’s license is required within 60 days of the start date and must be maintained as a condition of employment.
Regular local travel and some regional/out-of-state travel are required for this position.

Legal & Compliance

Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 11/09/2026

Position Number

00112444

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.0

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

190101 - College Of Veterinary Medicine

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

How did you learn of this opportunity?
- NCSU Website
- NCSU Executive Search Services
- Monster.com
- CareerBuilder.com
- InsideHigherEd.com
- Other Online Job Board
- Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
- Job / Career Fair
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- HERC
- Professional Journal
- Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
- Professional Organization
- Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
- NCSU Employee Referral
- Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
- Other
If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.
(Open Ended Question)