Title: Director of Alumni Engagement
Employee Classification: AP - Administrative Professional
Pay Grade: AP 06
Division: Advancement
Subdivision:Â VP Advancement
Department: EMU Foundation and Advancement
Campus Location: Main Campus
General Summary
The Director of Alumni Engagement is responsible for the strategic planning, management, and execution of alumni and donor-focused events and programs for the Eastern Michigan University Foundation (EMUF). This role ensures all events and programs align with institutional goals, strengthen alumni and donor engagement, and reinforce EMU's mission and brand. The Director also provides leadership for key alumni programs and recognition initiatives, and manages event-related communications and promotional materials.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- In partnership with the AVP for Alumni Engagement, develop and implement consistent processes for planning and executing alumni and donor events.
- Oversee the master EMUF events calendar to ensure coordination across teams and alignment with institutional priorities.
- Lead the strategy, planning, and implementation of alumni-focused events hosted by EMUF, including providing consultative support to campus partners who wish to engage alumni in their programming.
- Design and execute customized cultivation and stewardship events in collaboration with the gift team to enhance donor engagement and support fundraising goals.
- Lead the planning and communication strategy for Homecoming alumni events, including the annual tailgate and Alumni Awards ceremony.
- Manage and maintain an up-to-date inventory of all EMUF-branded promotional items and swag, ensuring they are aligned with brand guidelines and effectively utilized at events.
Liaison Responsibilities
- Serve as the alumni engagement liaison to assigned campus partners.
- Partner with academic leadership and advancement colleagues to align alumni engagement opportunities with college-specific initiatives and goals.
- Support college-based programming, communications, and volunteer management to enhance alumni affinity and philanthropic support.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in event planning, alumni engagement, or Advancement work.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex events and leading cross-functional teams.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments.
- Familiarity with CRM databases and event management software.
- Knowledge of branding and marketing principles related to donor and alumni engagement.
Personal Competencies:
- Excellent relationship and trust-building skills.
- Highly credible with personal integrity.
- Proactive and highly responsive.
- Solution-oriented and able to identify new opportunities
- Results and goal-oriented.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Confident in taking initiative and managing projects independently.
Additional Information:
Eastern Michigan University Foundation offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance; a retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution; an outstanding vacation and time off policy; a tuition waiver program; and more. This hybrid position is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and may require occasional local travel.
The salary range for this position is $75,000-$80,000 annually.
Appointment Percentage:
100%
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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