Director of Alumni and Friends Engagement - Military veterans preferred

Clark University

Location: Worcester, MA Category: Staff and Administrators Posted On: Tue Sep 9 2025 Job Description:

The Director of Alumni & Friends Engagement leads Clark University's efforts to build lifelong connections with alumni, parents, and friends. This role manages the Associate Director of Alumni & Friends Engagement and provides strategic oversight for high-impact volunteer councils?including the Clark Alumni Association, Parents Council, and alumni affinity groups such as the Clark Black Alumni Association (CBAA), Clark LGBTQIA+ Alumni Association (CLAA), and Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Council. The Director develops and implements strategies that align these groups with institutional priorities in engagement, fundraising, admissions, and career services.

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director for Advancement Strategy and Campaign Planning, the Director fosters a culture of collaboration, service, and advocacy among Clark's volunteer leaders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Volunteer Program Leadership (35%)
Provide strategic oversight and day-to-day management for key volunteer groups, including the Alumni Association, Parents Council, and alumni affinity groups (CBAA, CLAA, GOLD, and others). Ensure these groups are engaged in ways that advance Clark's mission and priorities.

2. Strategic Engagement Alignment (20%)
Design and implement engagement strategies that connect volunteer groups with opportunities to support fundraising initiatives, assist in student recruitment, and contribute to career networking for students and alumni.

3. Supervision and Staff Development (15%)
Manage, mentor, and evaluate the Associate Director of Alumni & Friends Engagement. Provide coaching, goal-setting, and professional development to ensure the success of the team's engagement strategy.

4. Volunteer Recruitment and Development (15%)
Identify, recruit, train, and steward volunteer leaders. Provide guidance, resources, and support to help volunteers serve as effective ambassadors for Clark.

5. Collaboration and Campus Partnerships (10%)
Work closely with colleagues across Admissions, the Career Connections Center, University Events, and Advancement to integrate volunteer contributions into broader institutional goals.

6. Event and Program Management (5%)
Partner with volunteers, staff, and campus colleagues to plan and execute events, on-campus meetings, regional programs, and virtual engagement opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, advancement, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Proven success leading volunteer boards or councils in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
• Experience designing programs that align volunteers with strategic priorities in fundraising, admissions, and career services.Excellent communication, relationship-building, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with diverse constituent groups and developing inclusive engagement strategies.
• Familiarity with alumni engagement metrics and data-informed program evaluation.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and campaign planning in higher education.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Office-based with hybrid work eligibility.
• Evening and weekend work required for events and volunteer meetings.
• Domestic travel up to 20%.

At Clark University we believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

To review the Clark University Police Department Annual Security and Fire Safety Report visit here.

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