Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Target hiring range for this position will be between $60,000-$64,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Job Summary:

Functional expert responsible for the planning, staffing, and tactical execution of group and/or broad-based relationship management plans, programs and events designed to strategically identify and cultivate alumni in meaningful ways that result in engaged volunteers and donors. Serves as liaison to both the University and Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA).

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Alumni Engagement on the NAA Communities team, the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement will advance the mission of the NAA through the creation, growth, and continued development of alumni groups. This role builds strong relationships with key alumni volunteers to foster opportunities for deeper engagement with Northwestern.

The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of alumni clubs and Reunion committees. Services include:

• Assist volunteer leaders in achieving annual goals.
• Ensure volunteer leaders are informed of NAA goals and policies and are equipped with necessary resources.
• Cultivate the volunteer pipeline by identifying prospective leaders and providing targeted training, motivation, and recognition.
• Partner with colleagues to connect volunteers to NAA signature programs.

Please note: Possible work outside of normal business hours, and possible travel throughout the region or country.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Administers and maintains existing strategic plans.
• Recommends changes and improvements to maximize and ensure efficient use of processes, ultimately leading to a culture of engagement amd participation with the University.

Collaboration

• Involves collaboration with internal department partners and with University partners in implementing and expanding existing relationships to accomplish strategic goals.
• Key partnerships:
  • Various Campus Partners (Venues, catering, etc. to plan club and community-related events)
  • ARD partners: NAA teams, Marketing and Communications, Special Events, Regional Development Officers, Reunions, Annual Giving
  • Campus partners: Professional school alumni engagement team members

Prospects & Gifts

• Manages 1 or more portions of alumni engagement or participation in programming.
• Works with development officers to implement strategies that will maximize participation of donors.
• Develops plans to retain volunteer leaders for additional volunteer positions after terms are served; builds a robust pipeline of potential volunteer leaders throughout the organization.
• Completes associated stewardship responsibilities.

Volunteers

• Assists with volunteer management, including generating reports and lists, coordinating updates, and other scheduled communications.
• Implements leadership training opportunities both in-person and virtually designed to meet the needs of entry level to advanced alumni leaders in locations around the world.
• Travels occasionally throughout the region or country.

Events

• Staff team and Alumni Association events.

Administration

• Organizes and executes administrative aspects of production and distribution of constituent communications.
• Includes data manipulation.
• Manages timelines and related expenses.
• Coordinates graphic design and/or scripting.
• Documents results & response levels.
• Responsible for tracking participants & volunteers, recording engagement, and donor interactions in database.
• Assists in the development of dashboards & metrics which provide quantitative analysis of program & event outcomes.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

• 2 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to assess situations, ask thoughtful questions, seek out relevant information, and contribute to practical solutions. Applies structured thinking to identify issues, weigh options, and make decisions, working both independently and in collaboration with others as needed.

• Communication Skills: Demonstrated clear and professional verbal and written communication, with the ability to convey information effectively with all stakeholders.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with colleagues across teams and levels; strong listening skills; customer-service orientation.

• Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to stay organized and effective in a fast paced setting. Ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, and adjust quickly to shifting priorities while maintaining quality and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing volunteers or serving in a relationship-management role that involved motivating, supporting, and coordinating individuals who are not direct reports.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Relationship Management & Influence: Ability to engage, motivate, and work effectively with volunteers or stakeholders who are not direct reports.

• Judgment in Ambiguous Situations: Ability to navigate competing priorities or unclear information and make thoughtful decisions aligned with program goals.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.