Director of Alumni Engagement

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Director of Alumni Engagement in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts.

Position Summary

The Director of Alumni Engagement serves as a key member of a newly formed "pod" staff structure, supporting the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, The ILR School, and the Library within Cornell's Alumni Affairs and Development division. Reporting to the Pod Leader and the Executive Director for Alumni Affairs, the Director for Alumni Engagement serves as a strategic leader and partner responsible for building and sustaining meaningful relationships with alumni, driving engagement programs and events, and connecting alumni interests with university priorities.

This individual will design and execute high-impact engagement strategies that strengthen lifelong alumni relationships and support the university's broader engagement and fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities

* Develop and implement comprehensive alumni engagement strategies for an assigned constituency, aligning activities with the pod's and division's strategic priorities.

* Cultivate and manage alumni volunteers and leaders, providing guidance and support to strengthen their connection to and involvement with the university.

* Plan, coordinate, and execute alumni events, programs, and volunteer initiatives, both in-person and virtual, that foster meaningful engagement and community-building.

* Collaborate closely with colleagues in development, communications, and academic units to identify engagement opportunities that support pipeline development for philanthropic giving.

* Track, analyze, and report on engagement metrics and program outcomes, using data to refine strategies and demonstrate impact to university leadership.

* Represent the university at alumni gatherings, regional events, and volunteer meetings, serving as an ambassador for the institution's mission and values.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development, we connect alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships, a commitment to excellence, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning. As one of higher education's leading fundraising and engagement organizations, we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion.

Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive, mission-driven, and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornell's future.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.

* Demonstrated success developing and delivering high-impact alumni engagement programs and events.

* Demonstrated experience building relationships with diverse constituents, including alumni volunteers and donors.

* Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully planning and executing events and programs from concept through completion.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences, including senior leadership, faculty, and volunteers.

* Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments in a complex, mission-driven organization.

* Willingness and ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends to support alumni events and programs.

Work Location

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

* Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

* Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and…