Associate Director, Regional Strategic Programs

Associate Director, Regional Strategic Programs

The Associate Director, Regional Strategic Programs serves as an operational partner to the Regional Executive Director for the Central region and frontline fundraising teams by implementing regional market plans in the Central and Global regions that advance University fundraising priorities. This role provides strategic leadership for the planning, design, coordination, and execution of high-touch donor engagement experiences, regional events, and cultivation activities that strengthen donor relationships and support philanthropic growth.

The Associate Director serves as a key liaison across Advancement partners, coordinates engagement reporting, and supports evaluation of regional engagement outcomes to inform future engagement efforts. This role uses best practices and knowledge within Alumni Relations and leads a program designed to engage the alumni community worldwide, increase participation, and advance the objectives of the Alumni Association and the broader University.

Researches, executes, and implements best practices in alumni relationship management.

Responsibilities include:

• Serving as an operational partner to the Regional Executive Director and frontline fundraising teams by implementing regional engagement activities that support fundraising and donor engagement objectives.
• Supporting execution of regional market plans established by the Executive Directors and fundraising partners.
• Partnering with fundraisers and regional leadership to plan, design, coordinate and execute personalized donor engagement opportunities that support cultivation, stewardship, campaign priorities, and relationship-building efforts.
• Leading the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of regional donor engagement activities, including one-on-one donor meetings, donor-hosted gatherings, faculty engagement opportunities, cultivation dinners, leadership convenings, volunteer events, and other high-touch Advancement experiences that advance regional engagement objectives.
• Coordinating donor engagement logistics and preparing briefing materials, prospect research summaries, itineraries, schedules, talking points, and related support materials for donor meetings and regional engagement activities.
• Developing engagement approaches and managing all aspects of logistics for complex regional donor engagement activities and events, including project timelines, invitation processes, RSVP management, internal and donor communications, venue and vendor coordination, onsite execution, and post-event stewardship activities.
• Interacting directly with donors and volunteer leaders in support of relationship-building and cultivation efforts, serving as a trusted resource while supporting the primary relationship manager.
• Serving as partner to regional volunteer leaders and donor hosts, supporting meaningful engagement and strengthening connections to University priorities.
• Serving as a regional resource for Advancement partners by leveraging knowledge of the assigned region's philanthropic landscape, donor and volunteer leadership, local venues, vendors, and engagement opportunities to support successful donor engagement activities and event execution.
• Serving as liaison between Regional Executive Directors and PDDS by supporting the development of event impact reports, market plan reports, and other regional engagement reporting, gathering qualitative engagement information, and ensuring timely completion of reporting deliverables.
• Collaborating with Advancement Communications, the Office of Special Events, and other Advancement partners to support coordinated execution of regional donor engagement activities aligned with broader Advancement priorities.
• Identifying opportunities to enhance donor engagement experiences and event strategies by providing recommendations based on event execution, donor interactions, engagement outcomes, and regional best practices.
• Supporting additional regional advancement initiatives and special projects that advance fundraising and donor engagement objectives.
• Seeking opportunities for professional development that will enhance job…