Associate Director of External Engagement, Law School

About the Job

The Associate Director of External Engagement is a key member of the Alumni and External Engagement team whose primary role is to lead external engagement strategy, programming, and relationship building with the goal of elevating the Law School's profile and deepening external connections to the Law School. Reporting to the Executive Director of the Alumni and External Engagement team, the Associate Director of External Engagement engages with key stakeholders within and outside of the law school, including senior leadership, faculty, high-profile alumni, the local and national bench and bar, business and law firm leaders, and other key stakeholders.

This is a full‑time, 100%, annually renewable, academic professional position with the majority of the work being in‑person with some remote flexibility.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H‑1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

• (40%) Lead Strategic Engagement Programming: Provide strategic and creative leadership, execution, and oversight for marquee engagement programs and premier volunteer leadership bodies designed to deepen constituent loyalty, elevate the Law School’s profile, and drive philanthropic support among high‑profile alumni, bench and bar leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Oversee and coordinate the Law School’s 30‑person Board of Advisors, ensuring the Board delivers on its strategic goals and provides meaningful volunteer leadership to the school. Also serve as the primary liaison for several Board subcommittees.
• Manage the Dean’s Elite Mentorship Program, strategically matching students with alumni leaders and working to maintain strong mentor relationships throughout the academic year and after graduation.
• Recruit, manage, and staff several designated Reunion Committees each year, guiding alumni volunteers through the peer‑to‑peer outreach and fundraising process to achieve class attendance and philanthropic goals.
• Develop and execute additional meaningful engagement programming that deepens key stakeholder alignment with the Law School’s mission.
• (45%) Lead Key Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and maintain key relationships among high‑profile alumni, bench and bar leaders, and other key stakeholders to advance the Law School’s strategic growth, reputation, and long‑term success.
• Manage a dedicated group of 80‑100 key alumni and stakeholders for whom an engaged relationship with the Law School is essential.
• Oversee, in collaboration with Law Communications, the Career Center, and the Dean’s Office, the distribution of consistent specialized outreach to high‑profile alumni, bench and bar leaders, and other key stakeholders, with the goal of elevating the Law School’s profile and strengthening ties to the institution.
• Ensure that bench and bar leaders and other key stakeholders receive messaging about the Law School’s news, events, and other communications, including during Dean’s regional travel.
• Oversee the Law School's participation in legal community events and organizations to strategically enhance brand visibility and reputation, including managing sponsor ships and attendance at events.
• Partner with internal and external colleagues across Development, Admissions, Career Services, Student Affairs, and the Communications teams, and the Dean’s Office, to identify meaningful engagement opportunities, and to seek opportunities for engagement for high‑profile alumni and other key stakeholders.
• Manage nominations for prestigious University and bench and bar awards, showcasing the achievements of alumni to enhance the Law School’s reputation.
• (15%) Oversee Gift Stewardship Work: Supervise and manage the Associate Director of Donor Relations in providing ongoing recognition to donors concerning the impact of their giving. Provide direction of day‑to‑day work, priorities, and planning and execution of stewardship events and initiatives.
• Coordinate with the Associate Director of Stewardship to enhance the Lockhart Club, the Law School’s primary vehicle for recognition of annual giving, to ensure it remains innovative, meaningful, and effective at driving donor loyalty.
• Direct and guide the Associate Director of Stewardship in aligning strategy and messaging with the Dean’s Office, Alumni and External Relations colleagues, Law Communications, and development professionals at the University of Minnesota Foundation.

• BA/BS Degree and at least 6 years of work in external engagement, alumni relations, fundraising, strategic communications, the legal profession, or closely related fields.
• Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Creativity in developing strategic outreach opportunities and communication.
• Ability to proactively, effectively, and efficiently manage a program portfolio.