About the Job

POSITION OVERVIEW Are you energized by building community, fostering pride, and helping students and young alumni see themselves as part of something bigger? The University of Minnesota Alumni Association is seeking a creative and strategic leader to shape and expand our student and recent alumni engagement eff orts, with a special focus on bridging the transition from campus to lifelong alumni connection. In this dynamic role, you’ll design and deliver meaningful programs, events, and communications that spark belonging, support career aspirations, and create a strong foundation for lifelong engagement with the University. You’ll collaborate with campus partners, alumni volunteers, and colleagues to strengthen traditions, celebrate milestones, and launch innovative strategies that keep alumni connected in the critical fi rst decade after graduation.

The Director of Student & Recent Alumni Engagement will play a vital role in leading initiatives that inspire students and recent graduates to remain connected to each other and to the U, cultivating the next generation of alumni leaders and advocates. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement, this results-driven individual will craft and implement strategies that expand UMAA membership amongst students and recent graduates, elevate career and mentorship opportunities, and ensure students and alumni experience a meaningful and lasting connection to the University. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Engagement. TheUniversityofMinnesotaAlumniAssociationoffersflexibleworkingoptionswitha“gowheretheworkis” philosophy to remote work. Specifics will be discussed during the interview stage. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Engage increasing numbers of alumni in supporting the career aspirations of students and recent alumni. (40%) ● Manage all aspects of the Maroon and Gold Network®, the UMAA’s online platform for career-advice, networking, and mentorship, and the micro-internship program embedded within the Maroon and Gold Network. ● Develop and execute career and professional development opportunities that connect students/recent alumni to alumni. ● Position UMAA as a centralized resource to advise and assist collegiate mentor programs through the strategic management of a University-wide mentor programs committee. ● Create events, communications, and training materials in concert with mentor program partners to support and recognize mentor program participants. Grow breadth and depth of student engagement with the UMAA. (25%) ● Develop and implement engagement programs to deepen the ties among the student population to build an expectation of and desire for a lifelong connection with the U. ● Collaborate with the Marketing Team develop and implement strategies to grow student membership. ● Lead meaningful, informative, and unifying engagement experiences for students nearing graduation, including Grad Fest and the Send Off. ● Collaborate with campus partners to increase students’ sense of belonging and affinity through events, communications, and shared resources, including UMAA’s presence during Orientation, Welcome Week, and Family Weekend. ● Develop communications to all students, reinforcing the sense of community, traditions, pride and opportunities for alumni support of students. ● Support and reinforce current campus traditions, and work with campus partners to develop new ones as appropriate. Grow breadth and depth of recent alumni engagement. (25%) ● Design and execute a recent alumni engagement strategy that delivers relevant programs, services, and communications to enrich the lives of alumni in the first decade after graduation. ● Collaborate with the Marketing Team develop and implement strategies to grow recent grad membership. ● Collaborate with UMAA colleagues to strategically enhance existing programming for recent graduates. ● Develop communications to new graduates in the first year after graduation to introduce them to UMAA and all the ways it supports alumni. Manage and support the strategic direction of the Student and Recent Alumni Council of the UMAA Board of Directors. (5%) ● Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Student and Recent Alumni Council. ● Collaborate with the Student and Recent Alumni Council directors from UMAA’s Board of Directors to set the meeting schedule, agenda, and strategic direction of the Council. ● Coordinate logistics for Student and Recent Alumni Council meetings throughout the year . Manage overall student and recent alumni engagement efforts for the UMAA (5%) ● Manage the budgets related to student and recent alumni engagement. ● Participate in staff/team meetings, quarterly and annual planning, and reporting. ● Represent the UMAA on University committees as assigned. ● Staff UMAA events as assigned, including events on evenings and weekends. ● Engage in ongoing professional development to enhance skills, knowledge, and effectiveness in alumni engagement work.

* The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS ● Bachelor’s degree. ● At least 4 years of experience developing and managing programs, events, volunteers, or engagement initiatives. ● Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners. ● Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail, deadlines, and outcomes. ● Willingness and ability to staff occasional evening and weekend events. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS ● Passion for the University of Minnesota and its mission. ● Experience working with diverse populations and fostering inclusive engagement. ● Familiarity with alumni relations, higher education, and/or nonprofit programming. ● Demonstrated ability to manage budgets effectively and allocate resources strategically. ● Experience with virtual and in-person event planning. ● Demonstrated success in building partnerships and collaborating across departments or organizations. ● Proficiency with digital marketing tools, event platforms, project management software, and other technologies. ● Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently, collaboratively, and flexibly in a fast-paced environment.

About the Department

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) fosters a lifelong spirit of belonging and pride by connecting alumni, students, and friends to the University of Minnesota and each other. The Association advocates for the University and its alumni with a credible, independent, and collaborative voice.The University of Minnesota Alumni Association off ers fl exible working options with a “go where the work is” philosophy to remote work. Specifi cs will be discussed during the interview stage.

The Engagement Department of the UMAA engages alumni, students and friends of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus through a wide variety of virtual and physical programs and services that are both relevant to the alumni and meaningful to the University. These include alumni engagement based on common geography or special interest, legislative advocacy, travel programs, student support and more.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $57,000-65,000. (depending on education/qualifications/experience) Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.) Position Type:  Faculty and P&A Staff