Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

002234SR

School/Unit Harvard Graduate School of Education

Job Function Alumni Affairs and Development

Location Cambridge

Job Type Full-time

Salary Grade 056

FLSA Status Exempt

Union 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Term Appointment No

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The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement is an entrepreneurial, impact-driven professional who will help design, execute, and integrate a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy rooted in social impact and meaningful connection. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engagement and Insights, this role is ideal for a creative strategist and relationship-builder who is energized by activating alumni around purpose, community, and positive change.

This position plays a critical role in strengthening lifelong relationships between alumni and the institution by creating inclusive, values-driven engagement opportunities that highlight alumni impact, elevate alumni voices, and connect graduates to one another, to students, and to the school's mission. The Assistant Director will bring a growth mindset, a bias toward action, and a passion for innovation, while collaborating across departments to ensure alumni engagement is integrated, data-informed, and mission-aligned.

• Lead the planning and execution of Alumni Day and other signature engagement moments, working closely with internal partners and alumni leaders to deliver high-impact, mission-aligned experiences.
• Develop, plan, and execute a portfolio of in-person, virtual, and hybrid programs that connect alumni to each other, to students, faculty, and to ongoing learning.
• Collaborate with internal partners (career services, academic programs, admissions, student affairs, advancement, and communications) to deliver integrated alumni experiences.
• Support signature moments such as reunions, regional events, student alumni initiatives, mentoring programs, and impact-focused convenings as well as help coordinate alumni meetups and connection opportunities at national/regional conferences and convenings (e.g., SXSW EDU and other education conferences), in partnership with internal stakeholders.

• Oversee and serve as primary staff partner to the Alumni Council, including member recruitment, onboarding, governance, working groups, meeting planning, and ongoing engagement.
• Guide the Alumni Council's work to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, inclusive representation, and meaningful impact.
• Cultivate strong relationships with alumni across career stages, geographies, and identities, with particular attention to inclusive and impact-oriented engagement.
• Recruit, support, and steward alumni volunteers, councils, and affinity or interest-based groups, ensuring clear purpose, strong partnership, and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a trusted liaison to alumni leaders, supporting governance, working groups, and volunteer-driven initiatives.

• Partner with the Senior Director of Engagement & Insights to design and implement an integrated alumni engagement strategy with a clear social impact lens.
• Translate institutional priorities and alumni interests into scalable, meaningful engagement opportunities that foster belonging, service, and lifelong connection.
• Identify, pilot, and evaluate new engagement models (programs, convenings, digital platforms, and partnerships) that can grow over time and deepen alumni impact.
• Partner with the Communications team on social media and execution strategy, including managing Linked In networks.

• Partner with Communications, Engagement, and Development colleagues to elevate alumni stories of impact and purpose through digital content, events, and campaigns.
• Use data, feedback, and engagement metrics to assess effectiveness, inform strategy, and continuously improve alumni outreach.
• Maintain accurate alumni engagement records and contribute to reporting, analysis, and…