Harvard-Westlake School seeks a hard-working, highly collaborative, detail-oriented, organized, creative, energetic, and dependable Associate Director of Alumni Relations to be a strategic and productive member of an entrepreneurial Alumni Relations team at one of the nation’s top independent day schools. The qualified candidate must have at least three to five years of related work experience in marketing/communications or in an independent school, college, or nonprofit setting. This is a full-time, on-site position.

This role is integral to the growth-oriented alumni program, focusing on giving, engagement, and communications. The Associate Director will oversee key alumni communications, manage volunteer initiatives, coordinate digital engagement, and support the school’s alumni giving strategies. This position reports to the Director of Alumni Relations and may require work across multiple campuses.

Alumni Giving

• Collaborate with the Director of Alumni Relations and Alumni Relations team to conceive and implement strategies to increase alumni participation in philanthropic giving to Harvard-Westlake.
• Develop and execute a successful and sustainable reunion giving program, including timetable, goal setting, communications, and donor recognition, as well as volunteer identification, management, and training.
• Recruit, engage, and train alumni class representatives to enhance alumni giving participation and engagement across all alumni classes, constituencies, and eras—including administering the HW Connect alumni giving volunteer portal on behalf of the Alumni Relations team.
• Manage and coordinate print and digital solicitation outreach to alumni, including detailed and strategic Excel segmentation, as well as partnering with colleagues to facilitate in-house and mail-house solicitations.
• Track, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to alumni giving efforts.

Communications and Engagement

• Manage the monthly alumni e-newsletter, coordinating content creation, editing, and distribution.
• Oversee and update digital platforms, including alumni webpages, social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), and engagement tools (e.g., Emma).
• Monitor and respond to inquiries via the general alumni email account and provide technical support for digital interfaces.
• Manage alumni contact information updates and class notes submissions for HW Life magazine.
• Coordinate the creation and distribution of digital invitations for alumni events and follow up with post-event communications and surveys.
• Develop metrics to measure digital engagement and use insights to refine strategies for boosting overall alumni involvement and giving.

Alumni Relations and General Advancement

• Attend and support alumni and advancement events (approximately 25-30 evening/weekend events annually), assisting with logistics, hospitality, and troubleshooting.
• Assist in managing volunteers and stewarding alumni donors.
• Participate in Alumni Relations Team meetings, Advancement meetings, office retreats, and general school functions.
• Represent the school at regional and national conferences related to alumni relations and independent school advancement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in alumni relations, development, communications, or a related field
• Exceptional ability to organize, manage, multitask, and meet deadlines, across varied projects and constituencies within a complex office/school calendar
• Takes initiative with a positive, energetic, and entrepreneurial spirit
• Proficiency in Excel, digital engagement tools, CRM systems, and data management
• Proficiency in graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe, etc)
• High emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Calmness under pressure with sense of humor
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with independent school environment and specific knowledge of Harvard-Westlake a plus
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher)
• A valid California driver’s license. A background check is required and must be successfully completed before employment can begin.

Harvard-Westlake School is an independent, co-educational college preparatory day school consisting of two campuses located in Los Angeles, California, with approximately 1,600 students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.

Harvard-Westlake actively strives to be a diverse and inclusive community in its educational, admission, and employment practices. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, or any other characteristic. We seek candidates who demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members; have an ability to work flexibly, independently, and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds; and have a capacity to serve as a model of openness, generosity, and acceptance.

Compensation:

Anticipated base compensation for this role is between $80,000 - $100,000, depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Top tier medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero to low premium contributions
• 403(b) Retirement with a 10% match and immediate vesting
• Cafeteria allowance – lunch is on us!
• Professional development support including continuing education
• Personal Growth grants
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee affinity groups
• Mental wellness resources and workshops
• Partially subsidized employee housing (subject to availability)
• Tickets to local sporting and entertainment events
• Discount at school bookstore (get your HW swag!)
• Paid holidays, including time off for Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring break plus vacation!

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000