Seattle University

Director of Alumni Engagement

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months Per Year: 12

Employment Status: Full-Time

Work Model: Hybrid Available

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Position Description

The University Advancement Office is committed to creating an anti-racist environment that addresses and works to eliminate inequities and all forms of oppression, while celebrating different cultures.

We are looking for like-minded team members from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the complex issues surrounding implicit bias, and other systemic oppressions, as well as a commitment to the university’s mission, vision, and values, with the goal of developing an equitable and inclusive work environment.

Purpose: 

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement, the Director of Alumni Engagement is a leadership position responsible for developing and leading alumni engagement programming strategy.

The Director works collaboratively with Seattle University staff and volunteer leadership to increase engagement with all alumni, in support of the University and in support of alumni throughout their lifetime.

The Director of Alumni Engagement supervises staff, administers program operations and assessment and provides direct operational leadership for strategic engagement priorities and outcomes.

While this position works to engage all 90,000+ Seattle University alumni with virtual, hybrid and/or in-person programming, they will prioritize the methods needed to engage alumni of color, young alumni and underrepresented communities to ensure that all alumni find value in and feel they belong at any engagement program. This work begins with students, and the Director of Alumni Engagement will prioritize and partner with student-facing programming at Seattle University to engage and support the entire lifecycle of a Seattle University alum.

Position Summary: 

The primary role for the Director is to design, build, sustain, and evaluate programs that support the alumni community and ultimately lead to meaningful alumni engagement with the University. This position oversees the Alumni Engagement Team, which is comprised of three full-time Assistant Directors of Engagement and, often, students and graduate assistants. This position serves as the hiring authority for all Alumni Engagement Team members.

In partnership with the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and the Director of Annual Giving, the Director of Alumni Engagement will participate in the creation of annual actionable strategic plans for holistic engagement of alumni, beginning with the student experience and continuing throughout the life of an alum. The Director will collaborate within University Advancement and throughout the University to ensure that engagement efforts are efficient and connect to overall University goals and priorities. This includes a high priority to partner with Admissions, Student Life, Career Services, Athletics, Campus Ministry and schools, colleges, and centers of the University.

The Director of Alumni Engagement will align engagement strategies and priorities to Seattle University’s Strategic Directions: A Jesuit University of Distinction for a Time of Change.

The Director oversees the successful implementation of the engagement events led by the engagement team, requiring significant experience and fluency in all aspects of program and event development, planning, implementation, and evaluation. 

The Director will demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, be mission centered, have an open, creative problem-solving approach, strong relationship-building skills, and a strong understanding of and experience with building and supporting diverse and inclusive teams.

Leadership and Management (40%)

• Supervise, lead and develop the Alumni Engagement Team, fostering a collaborative, supportive and inclusive environment.
• Lead the Alumni Engagement Team in developing programming that supports and engages the student and alumni communities in alignment with OAE, SU and UA strategy.
• Support the Alumni Engagement Team with professional development opportunities and trainings.

Strategy, Operations and Assessment (40%)

• Work across the Alumni Association, University Advancement and campus partners to develop high quality engagement opportunities for students and alumni.
• Implement feedback mechanisms and assessment tools to drive data driven improvements.
• Oversee budget and resources for alumni engagement programs.
• Serve on the Alumni Engagement Leadership Team, working closely with the Director of Annual Giving and Assistant VP of Alumni Engagement.
• Partner with University Advancement team members to produce engagement opportunities, support key unit and center priorities (e.g. major anniversaries, building launches, etc.) that involve alumni support, and ensure work is aligned across the Advancement team.
• Work across all areas of University Advancement and the University to cultivate and maintain relationships with campus partners, student leadership groups, and administrative offices with the goal of building community and engagement experiences for students.

Volunteer Engagement (15%)

• Partner successfully with Chapters and Affinity Groups to build and create engagement opportunities.
• Meet with volunteer leadership, alumni and donors frequently to learn about their hopes for engagement practices, and to share OAE and SU strategy and plans.

Administration (5%)

• Record personal visits with alumni, volunteers, donors and prospects in alumni and donor database.
• Oversee the management, ordering, and storage of OAE event supplies and swag.
• Perform other tasks, duties, and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in administering/coordinating events and programs.
• Experience with event/program planning. Knowledge of events management and how to support with marketing.
• Bachelor’s degree or five years equivalent work experience.
• Willing and able to work during nonstandard business hours, which will include evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to travel, as required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of individuals and strong leadership skills.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Supervisory experience, ranging from students and graduate assistants to varying professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the successful development, implementation and coordination of Alumni Relations based events and programs in the education sector.
• Experience successfully working with/managing volunteers and student workers.
• Ability to work proficiently with database programs, preferably Blackbaud and Raiser’s Edge products.
• Strong knowledge of budgetary procedures, process and fiscal responsibilities.
• Experience in student life, such as student government/programming, student clubs, sports, or other similar groups.
• Experience working with volunteers, including training, mobilizing and supporting.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified. 

Compensation at a Glance:

Salary Range: $95,000 - $106,000

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance:

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/ 

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