Executive Director

Salary: $ - $ Annually

Final date to receive applications: N/A

This site only allows 10,000 characters, so for more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, The University of Colorado Boulder seeks an inspiring, innovative, and future-focused leader to serve as the next Executive Director of the CU Boulder Alumni Association. The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision, strong engagement and fundraising expertise, and a collaborative leadership style to help shape the future of alumni engagement during a defining moment for the university.

An important driver of this momentum, the CU Boulder Alumni Association has cultivated a proud tradition of alumni engagement and service for more than 140 years. As a dues-free membership organization serving a globally connected community of more than 380,000 alumni, the association advances lifelong connection, institutional pride, advocacy, volunteerism, and philanthropic engagement across the Forever Buffs community. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Engagement, the Executive Director leads the alumni association’s strategy, operations, and engagement model in alignment with the university’s comprehensive campaign and long-term engagement and fundraising vision.

A highly visible ambassador for CU Boulder, the Executive Director advances innovative, data-informed strategies that strengthen alumni connection through communication, experiential, philanthropic, and volunteer engagement pathways while aligning alumni engagement with broader institutional priorities. The Executive Director leads a team of 16 alumni association professionals, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and values-driven culture. This leader will help shape the future of alumni engagement by deepening participation, strengthening institutional loyalty, and expanding alumni's impact in an evolving higher education landscape.

The role also oversees board governance, volunteer leadership, and strategic partnerships for the alumni association. Serving as the primary liaison to the Forever Buffs Advisory Board, the Executive Director cultivates a strong pipeline of alumni leaders, advocates, mentors, and volunteers while advancing inclusive programs and signature engagement opportunities that strengthen alumni connection and advance institutional priorities. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated success in alumni relations, advancement, engagement strategy, or related fields within complex organizations, along with exceptional relationship-building, operational, and financial leadership skills.

Most importantly, they will possess the ability to inspire others, foster innovation, and lead with authenticity, optimism, and purpose.

The Executive Director of the CU Boulder Alumni Association serves as the strategic and operational leader of the CU Boulder Alumni Association, advancing a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that fosters meaningful, lifelong relationships between CU Boulder and its more than 380,000 alumni. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Engagement, the ED leads alumni strategy, governance, programming, and operations in alignment with CU Boulder Advancement’s broader engagement and campaign priorities.

The ED serves as a visible ambassador for CU Boulder, representing the Alumni Association at high-profile campus, community, and national events, and strengthening alumni pride, affinity, and institutional loyalty. The following outlines specific responsibilities of the ED:

• Champion innovation in alumni engagement by continuously evaluating emerging trends, technology and best practices that position CU Boulder at the forefront of alumni engagement nationally.
• Develop, implement, and regularly refine the Alumni Association’s strategic plan in alignment with campus and divisional goals, broader divisional engagement and fundraising strategy and comprehensive campaign objectives.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the CUBAA team, fostering clarity of roles, accountability, high…