Director of Alumni Relations and Development

Position: Director of Alumni Relations and Development
Reports to: Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Department: Institutional Advancement

Status: Full-Time/non-exempt

For 190 years, we have been a progressive leader within the Reformed tradition committed to fostering a community of Christian leadership that serve diverse ministries and congregations in a challenging and complex world. Through academic excellence, critical reflection, and transforming witness, McCormick Theological Seminary uniquely equips excellent Church leaders for faithful, inclusive, and liberating ministries in God’s world.

McCormick Theological Seminary seeks a collaborative, detail-oriented, and mission-driven Director of Alumni Relations and Development to join the Division of Institutional Advancement. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director will provide leadership for the Seminary’s alumni relations and events program, annual giving efforts, development communications, and selected advancement data management functions.

This position is ideal for an advancement professional who enjoys building relationships, strengthening alumni engagement, supporting fundraising growth, and working in a collegial environment marked by cooperation, creativity, and idea-sharing. The Director will work closely with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director of Communications, other Seminary colleagues, and two student workers assigned to support the Division of Institutional Advancement.

The successful candidate will support the mission and vision of McCormick Theological Seminary and bring experience, judgment, and initiative to a growing advancement program.

• Develop, coordinate, and strengthen alumni relations programming that deepens alumni engagement with McCormick Theological Seminary.
• Plan and execute alumni events, gatherings, reunions, virtual programs, and other engagement opportunities.
• Work with Seminary leadership, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers to create meaningful opportunities for alumni participation.
• Help identify alumni stories, achievements, and milestones that can be celebrated through Seminary communications.
• Support alumni cultivation strategies that encourage long-term relationships with the Seminar
• Coordinate logistics for alumni and advancement events, including invitations, registration, event materials, vendor coordination, follow-up, and post-event evaluation.
• Provide direction and project assignments to student workers who assist with alumni relations and event-related tasks.

• Manage and help grow McCormick’s annual giving program in collaboration with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
• Assist in developing annual giving strategies, timelines, appeals, and donor segments.
• Track annual giving activity and results, including donor participation, retention, upgrades, and campaign performance.
• Help identify prospects for increased giving and assist in moving donors toward deeper engagement with the Seminary.
• Support stewardship efforts for annual donors through timely acknowledgment, reporting, and communication.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure annual giving messages are aligned with Seminary priorities and institutional voice.

• Collaborate with the Director of Communications on development-related communications, including donor appeals, stewardship messages, alumni communications, event materials, and impact stories.
• Help develop clear, compelling content that communicates the Seminary’s mission, vision, priorities, and philanthropic opportunities.
• Assist and…