Director of Alumni Relations

Overview

Join Claremont School of Theology as our Director of Alumni Relations and help build a transformative alumni engagement program at one of the nation’s most mission-driven theological graduate institutions. We are seeking a strategic, relational professional who is passionate about compassion, justice, and belonging, thrives in a remote work environment connected to the Southern California/Los Angeles region, and brings demonstrated success in alumni engagement, donor cultivation, and nonprofit relationship-building. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone who sees advancement as mission work—someone eager to connect a globally dispersed alumni community to purpose, stewardship, and long-term institutional impact. If you are energized by building systems, nurturing lifelong relationships, strengthening donor pipelines, and serving an organization dedicated to preparing leaders for a more just and compassionate world, this role may be the perfect next step in your career.

Title: Director of Alumni Relations

Department: Advancement
Reports To: Senior Vice President for Advancement & Communications
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Compensation: $70,000.-$72,000 per year (depending on experience)

The Director of Alumni Relations will serve as the primary architect of CST’s alumni relations strategy, creating systems, communications, events, and engagement pathways that deepen alumni affinity, expand volunteer leadership, and strengthen the long-term donor pipeline in support of institutional priorities and the Bridge to the Future Campaign.

Because alumni engagement and philanthropic cultivation are deeply interconnected, this role will work in close partnership with Advancement leadership to identify, qualify, and help cultivate alumni with major gift potential.

Alumni Strategy & Engagement

· Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni relations strategy aligned with CST’s mission, values, and institutional priorities

· Create segmented engagement plans for alumni by degree program, geography, affinity, generation, and philanthropic potential.

· Establish annual goals and benchmarks for alumni participation, volunteerism, and donor conversion.

· Build sustainable systems for long-term alumni connection and stewardship.

Communications & Storytelling

· Partner with Advancement Communications to create meaningful alumni touchpoints through email, digital storytelling, print features, and social media.

· Develop alumni spotlight stories that reinforce CST’s impact in the world.

· Strengthen alumni connection to institutional milestones, faculty thought leadership, student success, and campaign priorities.

· Ensure regular, strategic communication rhythms that move alumni from awareness to deeper engagement.

Events & Community Building

· Design and lead virtual and in-person alumni events, including reunions, regional gatherings, webinars, and campaign-related experiences.

· Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to create intellectually engaging alumni programming

· Build opportunities for alumni networking, mentoring, and vocational support for students and recent graduates

· Support alumni presence at major CST events and donor experiences

Advancement Pipeline Development

· Work closely with Advancement staff to identify alumni prospects for annual, major, and planned giving

· Carry a small portfolio of donors to cultivate, in connection with the Senior VP.

· Develop systems that move engaged alumni into the donor cultivation pipeline

· Partner on prospect strategy, donor qualification, and stewardship planning for alumni-based philanthropy

· Help expand the long-term major gifts pipeline through alumni engagement and relationship mapping

Volunteer Leadership & Partnerships

· Build an alumni ambassador and volunteer leadership network

· Recruit alumni to serve as peer connectors, event hosts, campaign advocates, and mentors

· Collaborate across Admissions, Academic Affairs, Student Services, and Advancement to strengthen alumni integration across the institution

· Support board and campaign leadership efforts where alumni relationships intersect with institutional priorities

Data, Metrics & Reporting

· Partner with Advancement Operations to maintain strong alumni records, engagement data, and prospect coding

· Track measurable outcomes related to alumni participation, volunteerism, pipeline growth, and giving conversion

· Provide regular reports and strategic recommendations to Advancement leadership

· Use data insights to refine engagement strategies and improve long-term ROI

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred

· 5 years of experience in alumni relations, advancement, higher education engagement, or related external relations work

· Demonstrated success in relationship-based program building

· Experience partnering with fundraising teams and understanding donor pipeline development

· Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

· Strong organizational leadership, event strategy, and cross-functional collaboration skills

· Experience with CRM/database systems and advancement reporting tools

· Commitment to CST’s mission of compassion, justice, belonging, and progressive theological education

Preferred Leadership Profile

· A systems-builder who can create a function where one does not yet fully exist

· A gifted relational strategist who enjoys connecting people to purpose

· Comfortable moving between storytelling, events, data, and donor strategy

· Deeply aligned with CST’s values and its vision for forming courageous leaders in a changing world

"We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status."

Pay: $70,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• alumni relations and advancement: 5 years (Preferred)

Location:

• Los Angeles, CA 90024 (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Los Angeles, CA 90024

Salary : $70,000 - $72,000