Global Alumni & Engagement Director

1.2M inbound students (2025) +3%

1. India 363K

2. China 266K

3. South Korea 42K

4. Canada 30K

5. Vietnam 26K

9 international branch campuses in United States

About the Job

The Director of International Alumni and Travel serves a critical role on the Strategic Engagement Team, driving engagement through international networks and the Minnesota Alumni Travel program.

This position is a high-impact individual contributor role who functions through a broad, organizational lens rather than alocalized one, overseeing a portfolio with institutional impact and visibility around the world.

This position reports to the Sr. Director of Alumni Networks at the Alumni Association.

Essential Functions:
Minnesota Alumni Travel Program (60%):

• Portfolio Strategy & Portfolio Curation:
  Continually auditthe travel program against national best practices. Design and execute an innovative annual schedule of roughly 55-65 itineraries that drive market demand, grow participant volume, and meet robust annual revenue targets.
• Demographic Innovation:
  Expand travel models to cultivate lifelong learning across diverse generations, piloting tailored program options for young alumni, graduating seniors, andothers.
• Institutional Leverage:
  Create unique University of Minnesota connections within global travel itineraries, integratingtouchpoints with faculty researchers abroad, study-abroad student initiatives, or international alumni network receptions.
• Vendor & Contract Management:
  Vet international tour providers and destination management companies (DMCs). Negotiate contracts to protect organization interests, maintain high quality control, and ensure portfolio profitability.
• Marketing & Communication Strategy:
  Partner with the internal communications team to design and execute multi-channelmarketing campaigns (print catalog, social media, web, email, and targeted advertising) to drive brochure requests and bookings.
• Host Excellence:
  Recruit, brief, and train university travel hosts to enhance traveler experiences and elevate the U of M brand globally.
• Traveler Support & Issue Resolution:
  Provide outstanding customer service in partnership with Alumni Experience Coordinator to current and potential travelers to enhance a positive relationship between alumni and the UMAA. Manage complex issues asthey arise.
• Financial Oversight & Impact Assessment:
  Drive performance metrics to meet or exceed revenue-share targets while managing operating expenses within budget. Utilize continuous post-trip feedback models to refine future offerings.
• Supervise and mentor two part-time student employees:
  Informand initiate job postings, hire, train, monitor job performance,lead by providing support and guidance, set standards forprofessionalism and excellence in relation to administrative support for alumni travel programs.

• International Engagement Strategy:
  Partner with the Senior Director of Alumni Networks, GPS Alliance, and collegiate units todesign and execute long- and short-term engagement strategies that increase the breadth, depth, and connectivity of our alumni population outside the United States.
• Network Cultivation & Longevity:
  Build, grow, and scale aglobal framework of international alumni networks. Recruit, orient,and develop international volunteer leaders, managing seamless leadership transitions to ensure network sustainability.
• Alumni Activation:
  Recruit and empower alumni and student volunteers to lead and deliver localized global programming,mentoring opportunities, and cross-cultural initiatives.
• Advisory Boards & Stakeholder Relations:
  Establish and cultivate relationships with advisory boards, international societies, and global stakeholders to retain alumni leaders in key volunteer…