What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Alumni Engagement position at Inside Higher Ed?
Job Title: Director of Alumni Engagement
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 61577
Department
Alumni Affairs
FSU Division of University Advancement
Florida State University is currently in the leadership phase of a comprehensive campaign. As the leadership phase of the campaign begins, the Division of University Advancement is accelerating the hiring of additional advancement services professionals’ campus-wide and is excited to build out its team. For Advancement professionals who are interested in being a part of a comprehensive campaign from the beginning for their career development, the timing is ideal to join our team.
Responsibilities
The Director of Alumni Engagement provides strategic leadership in cultivating meaningful relationships between the university and its alumni and friends. This position develops and implements innovative programs, events, and communications that strengthen lifelong connections, enhance alumni involvement, and advance the mission and priorities of the Division of University Advancement (DUA) and the university. Working collaboratively with the President/CEO, Vice President of DUA, academic Deans, colleges, schools, and campus partners, the Director will design initiatives that engage alumni in the life of the institution, foster a vibrant alumni network, and promote philanthropic support in alignment with University goals.
Academic Program Engagement
Partner with academic Deans, faculty, and staff to develop and sustain alumni engagement initiatives that align with college and departmental priorities.
Create opportunities for alumni to contribute to academic excellence through mentorship, guest speaking, and participation in program-specific events.
Collaborate with Volunteer Engagement team and the C/S/U team to develop and implement programming.
Virtual Engagement
Design and implement virtual programs and digital platforms that expand alumni access and participation across geographic regions.
Utilize technology to foster meaningful connections among alumni and between alumni and the university.
Lifecycle Programming
Develop and manage engagement strategies that connect alumni across their full lifecycle.
Coordinate programs that celebrate alumni milestones, promote continued involvement, and encourage philanthropy at every stage.
Experiential Engagement
Plan and execute experiences that highlight university impact and alumni success.
Corporate Engagement
Leverage alumni connections in the corporate sector to create Seminole Corporate Clubs serving as mutually beneficial relationships between the university and business communities.
Travel to execute, support or collaborate on events as needed.
Campus Partnerships and Liaison Role
Build and sustain strong collaborative relationships with key campus partners and programs—including the FSU Career Center, Greek Life, International Programs, Graduate School, and Undergraduate Studies—to align alumni engagement efforts with University priorities, fostering open communication, shared goals, and coordinated initiatives that enhance student and alumni engagement.
Identify and advance opportunities for joint programming and partnership that amplify the university’s mission and create a seamless continuum of engagement from student to alumnus.
Serve as alumni engagement’s liaison to Seminole Tribe of Florida for signature outreach.
Develop, manage, and monitor the alumni engagement budget to grow unit within Alumni Engagement department, ensure effective allocation of financial resources and alignment with divisional priorities.
Prepare budget projections, track expenditures, and evaluate return on investment for key engagement initiatives and programs.
Data, Metrics, and Strategic Insight
Capture, analyze, and interpret data to measure engagement outcomes and identify trends that inform strategy development and program refinement.
Implement and utilize CASE global engagement metrics to evaluate alumni participation across key dimensions, ensuring consistency and accountability in reporting.
Collaborate with the DUA data team to develop standard reporting tools and dashboards that monitor engagement progress and demonstrate impact.
Other duties as assigned, night, weekend work.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and six years of experience related to the job duties or in an advancement field; or a high school diploma/equivalent and experience equal to ten years. (Note: post-high school education can substitute for experience at the equivalent rate.)
Who is an ideal candidate for this position? You're known as a collaborative and entrepreneurial team member. You're able to not only see the big picture but also create a vision, and you always account for the small details too. You're able to connect with people across wide range of interests and backgrounds. You can balance the deep work of innovation to follow through to operationalization of outreach and programming. You can easily engage with others, be assertive, and diplomatic at the same time. This position takes a unique skill set. Good communication skills are a must. You are able to balance workflow with a multitude of components by independently setting priorities, demonstrating ability to think critically and make decisions that benefit the association, leadership and the team. You enjoy a work environment that serves the needs of internal and external stakeholders and recognize that service is at the heart of what we do.
What is a typical day in this position? No two days are the same. One day you may be deep in design and technical work creating engagement programs, collaborating on ideas with partners in alumni engagement, and the next you may be on the road or in the community implementing the vision.
What can I expect in the first 60-90 days? The Alumni Engagement office has a 5-5-5 plan where careful onboarding is segmented into the first five days, five weeks and five months culminating in a 6 month check-in where you can give and receive coaching, feedback and support. The goal is to start with a supportive, collaborative foundation that carries through to understanding of the role, colleagues, and the practice of our inspirational advancement work.
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!
Learn more about our university and campuses.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs.
Use our interactive tool to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://jobs.fsu.edu. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service.
Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.
Considerations
This is an A&P position.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.
This position is being advertised as open until filled.
Must be willing to travel.
Equal Employment Opportunity
FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 61577
Department
Alumni Affairs
FSU Division of University Advancement
Florida State University is currently in the leadership phase of a comprehensive campaign. As the leadership phase of the campaign begins, the Division of University Advancement is accelerating the hiring of additional advancement services professionals’ campus-wide and is excited to build out its team. For Advancement professionals who are interested in being a part of a comprehensive campaign from the beginning for their career development, the timing is ideal to join our team.
Responsibilities
The Director of Alumni Engagement provides strategic leadership in cultivating meaningful relationships between the university and its alumni and friends. This position develops and implements innovative programs, events, and communications that strengthen lifelong connections, enhance alumni involvement, and advance the mission and priorities of the Division of University Advancement (DUA) and the university. Working collaboratively with the President/CEO, Vice President of DUA, academic Deans, colleges, schools, and campus partners, the Director will design initiatives that engage alumni in the life of the institution, foster a vibrant alumni network, and promote philanthropic support in alignment with University goals.
Academic Program Engagement
Partner with academic Deans, faculty, and staff to develop and sustain alumni engagement initiatives that align with college and departmental priorities.
Create opportunities for alumni to contribute to academic excellence through mentorship, guest speaking, and participation in program-specific events.
Collaborate with Volunteer Engagement team and the C/S/U team to develop and implement programming.
Virtual Engagement
Design and implement virtual programs and digital platforms that expand alumni access and participation across geographic regions.
Utilize technology to foster meaningful connections among alumni and between alumni and the university.
Lifecycle Programming
Develop and manage engagement strategies that connect alumni across their full lifecycle.
Coordinate programs that celebrate alumni milestones, promote continued involvement, and encourage philanthropy at every stage.
Experiential Engagement
Plan and execute experiences that highlight university impact and alumni success.
Corporate Engagement
Leverage alumni connections in the corporate sector to create Seminole Corporate Clubs serving as mutually beneficial relationships between the university and business communities.
Travel to execute, support or collaborate on events as needed.
Campus Partnerships and Liaison Role
Build and sustain strong collaborative relationships with key campus partners and programs—including the FSU Career Center, Greek Life, International Programs, Graduate School, and Undergraduate Studies—to align alumni engagement efforts with University priorities, fostering open communication, shared goals, and coordinated initiatives that enhance student and alumni engagement.
Identify and advance opportunities for joint programming and partnership that amplify the university’s mission and create a seamless continuum of engagement from student to alumnus.
Serve as alumni engagement’s liaison to Seminole Tribe of Florida for signature outreach.
Develop, manage, and monitor the alumni engagement budget to grow unit within Alumni Engagement department, ensure effective allocation of financial resources and alignment with divisional priorities.
Prepare budget projections, track expenditures, and evaluate return on investment for key engagement initiatives and programs.
Data, Metrics, and Strategic Insight
Capture, analyze, and interpret data to measure engagement outcomes and identify trends that inform strategy development and program refinement.
Implement and utilize CASE global engagement metrics to evaluate alumni participation across key dimensions, ensuring consistency and accountability in reporting.
Collaborate with the DUA data team to develop standard reporting tools and dashboards that monitor engagement progress and demonstrate impact.
Other duties as assigned, night, weekend work.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and six years of experience related to the job duties or in an advancement field; or a high school diploma/equivalent and experience equal to ten years. (Note: post-high school education can substitute for experience at the equivalent rate.)
- A valid Florida or Georgia Driver's License, or the ability to obtain upon hire
Who is an ideal candidate for this position? You're known as a collaborative and entrepreneurial team member. You're able to not only see the big picture but also create a vision, and you always account for the small details too. You're able to connect with people across wide range of interests and backgrounds. You can balance the deep work of innovation to follow through to operationalization of outreach and programming. You can easily engage with others, be assertive, and diplomatic at the same time. This position takes a unique skill set. Good communication skills are a must. You are able to balance workflow with a multitude of components by independently setting priorities, demonstrating ability to think critically and make decisions that benefit the association, leadership and the team. You enjoy a work environment that serves the needs of internal and external stakeholders and recognize that service is at the heart of what we do.
What is a typical day in this position? No two days are the same. One day you may be deep in design and technical work creating engagement programs, collaborating on ideas with partners in alumni engagement, and the next you may be on the road or in the community implementing the vision.
What can I expect in the first 60-90 days? The Alumni Engagement office has a 5-5-5 plan where careful onboarding is segmented into the first five days, five weeks and five months culminating in a 6 month check-in where you can give and receive coaching, feedback and support. The goal is to start with a supportive, collaborative foundation that carries through to understanding of the role, colleagues, and the practice of our inspirational advancement work.
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!
Learn more about our university and campuses.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs.
Use our interactive tool to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://jobs.fsu.edu. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service.
Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.
Considerations
This is an A&P position.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.
This position is being advertised as open until filled.
Must be willing to travel.
Equal Employment Opportunity
FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.