Strategic Alumni Engagement Director

Southern Oregon University; Ashland (KY); On-site; USD 79,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Pension plans

Job summary

Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon seeks a Director of Alumni Relations to lead the design and execution of a comprehensive alumni engagement program. The role balances strategic vision with hands-on execution to connect a diverse alumni base with the university.

Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Director will build lifelong affinity, increase volunteerism, manage traditions, and generate active support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• At least four years of progressive, professional experience in alumni relations, higher education administration, admissions, public relations, fundraising, or nonprofit management.
• Demonstrated ability to build programs, manage complex projects independently, and execute major public events with minimal administrative support.
• Exceptional public speaking, presentation, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to work evenings and weekends for campus events, regional programs, and professional travel.
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License.
• Proficiency in managing social media platforms as well as in Microsoft 365 software.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute an annual strategic alumni engagement operating plan aligned with University Advancement objectives.
• Plan, develop, and exercise budget authority over the Alumni Relations operational budget to maximize program return on investment.
• Utilize data analytics and assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of programming, develop and maintain alumni tracking metrics, and report trends to leadership.
• Partner with development staff to align alumni activity with the university’s ongoing major giving priorities and philanthropic pipeline.
• Provide executive staffing and logistical support to the SOUAA Board of Directors; partner directly with the Board Development & Nominating Committee to manage board recruitment, facilitate regular elections, coordinate the orientation program for newly elected board members, and maintain oversight of bylaws and governing policies.
• Chair and logistical lead for major high-visibility campus milestones, working alongside the SOUAA Alumni Engagement & Programming Committee to coordinate Homecoming, reunions, and family weekends.
• Identify, recruit, and guide volunteer leadership to develop and approve official charters for regional alumni chapters and industry-specific affinity networks across the state and country.
• Establish engagement opportunities tailored specifically to diverse subgroups, such as first-generation graduates, young alumni, and athletic or academic affinity cohorts.
• Partner with the SOUAA Career Services & Mentorship Committee and the campus career center to expand internship pipelines, promote professional development webinars, and mobilize the digital Raider Network platform to support student-to-alumni mentoring channels.
• Oversee the selection and distribution of institutional alumni distinction awards in collaboration with the SOUAA Awards and Recognition Committee.
• Design and deploy demographic-driven communication strategies through newsletters, web portals, targeted email marketing, and editorial content for The Raider alumni magazine.
• Direct the university’s official alumni social media platforms to promote alumni programs, manage digital content, boost event registrations, and elevate campaign visibility in collaboration with the university’s marketing department.
• Partner with Advancement Services to regularly update contact info, business records, and biographical fields within the central database; execute trace strategies with the committee to enrich missing information for “lost” alumni.
• Serve as an official face, liaison, and informational spokesperson for the university’s alumni base, publicizing outstanding professional, civic, and philanthropic milestones to boost institutional pride.
• Supervise other duties as assigned

Skills

Public speaking

Writing

Interpersonal communication

Social media management

Microsoft 365

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Salesforce

Job description

Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon seeks a Director of Alumni Relations to lead the design and execution of a comprehensive alumni engagement program. The role balances strategic vision with hands-on execution to connect a diverse alumni base with the university.

Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Director will build lifelong affinity, increase volunteerism, manage traditions, and generate active support.