Director of Alumni and External Relations

The Director of Alumni and External Relations, under the leadership of the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA), will assist with various aspects of alumni relations development, fundraising events, and campaigns within the development office. The position will focus on the cultivation of alumni and constituent relationships, solicitation and retention of donors, and the identification and solicitation of new donors.

This position is also responsible for organizing, leading, and supervising all aspects of special events as directly assigned, as well as within direct correlation with any alumni relations function. The Director must maintain a connection with every event assigned and have direct knowledge of customer needs. Duties include but are not limited to developing, planning, and managing events while collaborating effectively with Institutional Advancement colleagues and those in other departments of the institution.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in marketing, communications, business, higher education, public relations, nonprofit leadership, or related field;
• Experience in alumni relations, community engagement, fundraising, event planning, institutional advancement, or related field;
• Experience developing and managing events, volunteer programs, and constituent engagement initiatives;
• Experience with fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship, and advancement software systems preferred.
• Experience managing budgets and coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Lead and support alumni engagement, annual giving, community engagement, and advancement initiatives that strengthen relationships and philanthropic support for Tusculum University;
• Assist in planning, implementing, and evaluating annual fund campaigns, alumni outreach strategies, donor communications, and special fundraising initiatives;
• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, corporate sponsors, community organizations, civic groups, and external stakeholders;
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned donor and alumni portfolios in coordination with Institutional Advancement leadership;
• Utilize Raiser’s Edge and related advancement systems to document donor activity, track engagement efforts, manage communications, and maintain accurate constituent records;
• Coordinate and oversee alumni programming, including reunions, networking events, regional gatherings, volunteer opportunities, affinity programs, and campus engagement activities;
• Develop and strengthen community partnerships that enhance the university’s visibility, engagement, and collaborative opportunities throughout the region;
• Represent Tusculum University at alumni, community, business, civic, and institutional events while serving as an ambassador for the university;
• Recruit, train, coordinate, and support volunteers, alumni leaders, and members of the Alumni Executive Board;
• Provide leadership and support for board engagement initiatives while encouraging active alumni participation and governance support.
• Oversee alumni and advancement communications, including newsletters, email campaigns, social media engagement, promotional materials, and event marketing efforts in collaboration with the Marketing Department;
• Promote alumni, advancement, and community engagement events through strategic marketing and communication efforts, including email campaigns, social media, digital content, print materials, university publications, local news channels, media outlets, and community outreach initiatives to maximize participation, visibility, and engagement;
• Collaborate with campus departments and external partners to coordinate logistics for events, including venue management, catering, vendor relations, entertainment, signage, security, setup, and breakdown procedures;
• Develop, manage, and monitor assigned event and program budgets while identifying opportunities for cost savings and revenue generation;
• Assist in securing sponsorships, partnerships, and in-kind support from corporations, businesses, alumni, and community partners;
• Prepare and implement event evaluations and assessment measures to determine effectiveness, constituent satisfaction, attendance outcomes, fundraising success, and operational improvements;
• Maintain a comprehensive calendar of alumni, advancement, and community engagement activities while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and deadlines;
• Ensure timely follow-up for all events and engagement activities, including acknowledgements, stewardship communications, reports, invoicing, and volunteer recognition;
• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and community stakeholders in a professional and service-oriented manner;
• Support and promote the mission, vision, and values of Tusculum University;
• Follow university policies, procedures, and administrative guidelines;
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills;
• Excellent organizational, planning, and project management abilities;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, alumni engagement strategies, event planning, and donor stewardship practices;
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, business leaders, and community organizations;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills;
• Demonstrated professionalism representative of an institution of higher education;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse groups and individuals;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately;
• Knowledge of event coordination, campus operations, and constituent engagement practices;
• Self-motivated, strategic, and detail-oriented with strong initiative and follow-through.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds on occasion.
• Communicate effectively.
• Must be able to walk distances, sit or stand for long periods of time, and climb stairs.
• Ability to talk and hear.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to travel when necessary between the campuses shown below:
  
  

Mission Statement

Building on a rich Presbyterian heritage and a pioneering spirit, Tusculum University provides an active and experiential education within a caring Christian environment to inspire civic engagement, to enrich personal lives, and to prepare career-ready professionals.

Tusculum University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. In addition, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Tusculum participates in E-Verify and observes the guidelines as a Tennessee Drug Free Workplace. Applicants will be required to submit to and complete (1) substance abuse testing at a laboratory chosen by Tusculum University and (2) an employment background check, which includes a criminal background check, employment verification, license verification (if applicable), and credit history (if applicable). If hired, the candidate will be required to submit proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

How To Apply

Only online applications will be accepted. Send a cover letter, resume, the names & contact information of 3 references, and the Tusculum University application (This form can be located at the top of the web page https://www3.tusculum.edu/hr/employment-opportunities) electronically to turesume@tusculum.edu Attn: Director of Alumni and External Relations