Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement - #202895

For questions and additional information, please contact Stacey Miller at srmiller.

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

Reporting to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Engagement, the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement strengthens alumni connections to Western Carolina University through leading engagement initiatives centered on the university's academic colleges and affinity communities. These include coordinating with Advancement and campus partners around communications and storytelling, volunteer involvement, giving opportunities, and events in ways that promote meaningful alumni participation.

• Plan, promote, and execute college-centered alumni events, programs, recognition efforts, and engagement opportunities on campus and in regional markets.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with engagement and development colleagues to create and execute alumni engagement strategies aligned with academic priorities.
• Coordinate with Advancement Communications to develop messaging that enhances visibility of college engagement programs and accomplishments, while sharing alumni success stories to strengthen institutional pride.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues to help identify alumni who may be strong prospects for volunteerism, philanthropy, first-time giving, or leadership opportunities.

• Serve as a liaison to established affinity communities, providing strategic guidance, event support, and communication resources.
• Assist affinity communities with planning and implementing engagement initiatives that foster connection, sustain participation, and inspire initial financial contributions.
• Recruit, develop, and support volunteer leaders and ambassadors who help drive affinity engagement and assist with regional outreach.
• Monitor progress and engagement trends within affinity communities and provide regular updates to Alumni Engagement leadership and liaisons.

• Assist in planning and executing major alumni events such as Homecoming, reunions, and other university-hosted gatherings, ensuring timely, strategic post-event follow-up to transition attendees into pipeline prospects.
• Collaborate with Advancement staff to drive alumni participation in giving campaigns, including university-wide giving days, with a specific emphasis on new donor acquisition.
• Manage engagement portfolios of assigned partners, donors, and volunteers connected to academic colleges and affinity communities, including outreach, stewardship, cultivation for first-time gifts, and tracking of engagement activity.
• Maintain accurate alumni records, engagement activity, and contact information in Raiser's Edge in coordination with Advancement Services.

Excellent communication and composition skills, organized, detail oriented, strong customer relation skills, strong work ethic, and a team player.

• Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
• Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Previous demonstrated experience with public relations, volunteer groups, event coordination, and Raisers Edge.

Permanent Full-Time

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