What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Alumni Engagement Career & Professional Programming position at The Catholic University of America?
Posting Title
Associate Director, Alumni Engagement Career & Professional ProgrammingOverview
The Associate Director of Career and Professional Programming, reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive strategy that connects alumni and students through career development, professional networking, and lifelong learning opportunities. This role plays a critical part in strengthening the value proposition of alumni engagement by positioning the University as a lifelong partner in career advancement. The Associate Director leads the development of a robust portfolio of career-focused programming that engages alumni across industries, career stages, and geographic regions, including mentorship platforms, industry-specific networks, executive-level engagement groups, and professional development programming. The role works closely with campus partners, including Career Services, academic units, and student affairs. The Associate Director also plays a leadership role in expanding industry-based alumni networks, including a C-suite initiative that aligns with key academic strengths and workforce trends. In collaboration with Advancement colleagues, the Associate Director integrates career engagement efforts with broader alumni engagement and fundraising strategies.
The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position, which represents the full range of anticipated compensation, is: $80,000 - $85,000.
Responsibilities
Design and implement a comprehensive alumni career engagement strategy.The Associate Director develops a long-term strategy that positions career and professional programming as a central component of alumni engagement. This includes identifying priority industries, engagement pathways, and programmatic opportunities that align with alumni interests and institutional strengths.
Lead the development of mentorship and professional networking initiatives.Oversees the creation and management of structured mentorship programs that connect alumni with students and fellow alumni. These initiatives are designed to facilitate meaningful professional relationships and support career development across all stages.
Build and manage industry-based alumni networks.Establishes and grows industry-focused alumni communities that provide ongoing opportunities for connection, collaboration, and engagement, aligned with key academic disciplines and workforce sectors to maximize relevance and participation.
Develop and execute professional development programming.Creates a portfolio of programming that includes webinars, panels, workshops, and speaker series focused on career growth and industry insights, designed to deliver tangible value to alumni while strengthening their connection to the University.
Partner with campus stakeholders to align career and alumni engagement efforts.Collaborates with Career Services, academic units, and student affairs to integrate alumni into student career development initiatives, including aligning programming, sharing resources, and co-developing engagement opportunities.
Identify and cultivate high-value alumni for engagement and philanthropy.Works closely with Advancement colleagues to identify alumni who demonstrate strong engagement through career programming as potential mentors, volunteers, or donors. Ensures engagement data is leveraged to inform cultivation and pipeline development strategies.
Utilize data and analytics to assess program effectiveness.Tracks participation, engagement trends, and outcomes to evaluate the success of career programming. Uses CRM systems and engagement metrics to inform decision-making and improve program design.
Conduct outreach and relationship-building with alumni.Engages alumni through virtual and in-person interactions to promote programming and build relationships, understanding alumni needs and increasing participation across a diverse alumni base.
Partner in the development and execution of a comprehensive communications and social media strategy.The Associate Director partners closely with Advancement Communications to assist in the design and delivery of targeted messaging that engages alumni across digital and traditional channels, ensuring communications are strategic, data-informed, and effectively drive engagement.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. Relevant experience in alumni engagement, career services, advancement, or a related field.
Proficiency with CRM systems; experience with mentorship platforms, virtual programming tools, and digital engagement channels.
Mission focused; Collaborative & Communicative; Organized & Reliable; Creative & Inventive; Strategic & Decisive.
Salary : $80,000 - $85,000