Associate Director, Alumni Engagement

Associate Director, Alumni Engagement

Notre Dame, IN, United States
Full-time
Dean of Mendoza College of Bus
EIC2

Company Description
The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person-mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University's mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description
Mendoza College of Business

Vision: The Mendoza College of Business will be a premier global business school, widely recognized for innovative research, rigorous educational programs, and formative student experiences, all informed by our Catholic character. Mendoza will be the business school of choice for talented students, faculty, and staff who are called to serve and have a desire to advance civilization using business as a force for good.

Mission: As a leading business school guided by the University's Catholic identity, we seek to grow the good in business in order to improve the human condition in an ever-changing society. Through impactful research and educational programs, we contribute to the formation of ethical business leaders who integrate the mind and the heart and have the competence to see and courage to act.

Career Success and External Engagement

The Career Success and External Engagement team consists of the professionals dedicated to experiential and global learning, career coaching, and employer and alumni engagement for Mendoza's graduate degree programs.

The Career Success and External Engagement team is dedicated to equipping Mendoza graduate students with the tools, connections, and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape. Mendoza graduate students are invited to join many of the world's top employers because:

• the Experiential and Global Learning team offers project-based learning that allows students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges with real-world organizations;
  
• the Career Coaching team empowers students to develop the skills and mindset required to navigate the marketplace and build a purposeful lifelong career;
  
• the External Engagement team builds and maintains corporate and alumni relationships; and
  
• the University's alumni ensure the Notre Dame brand is known and respected.

Purpose

The Associate Director of Alumni Engagement is a key strategic individual contributor role within the Mendoza College of Business. Reporting to the Director of External Engagement, this position leads the development, coordination, and execution of alumni engagement initiatives to strengthen lifelong relationships between Mendoza graduate alumni, current and prospective students, and the College. This role requires comprehensive professional knowledge, cross-functional collaboration, and independent management of complex alumni engagement programs that enhance student outcomes and alumni affinity.

The Associate Director will be part of a newly formed team dedicated to the development and maintenance of mutually beneficial relationships with employers, recruiters, alumni, and friends of the Mendoza College of Business and the University of Notre Dame. The Associate Director will 1) serve as the primary relationship and program manager for Mendoza graduate alumni, 2) partner closely with their alumni engagement counterparts across the University to create, promote, and execute meaningful alumni programming, and 3) provide the College with thought leadership on alumni engagement best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

60% Alumni Relationship and Program Management

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for Mendoza graduate alumni.
  
• Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with the goals of the University and College, identifying key alumni segments and tailoring engagement programs accordingly.
  
• Plan, organize, and manage various alumni events like reunions, networking receptions, webinars, and regional gatherings, ensuring smooth execution and high attendance.
  
• Build and maintain alumni volunteer networks to support various initiatives, including mentoring programs, career advising, and community outreach.
  
• Foster engagement among specific alumni groups based on interests, demographics, or graduation year by creating tailored programming and leadership opportunities.
  
• Build relationships with campus partners that have a vested interest in alumni engagement, including the Notre Dame Alumni Association (NDAA), University Relations (Development), Mendoza Academic Director, student organizations, etc.
  
• Collaborate with University Relations to identify potential alumni donors and cultivate relationships to increase philanthropic giving.
  
• Support the Director in identifying and cultivating alumni leaders to serve on advisory boards or committees, providing opportunities for active involvement in the organization.
  
• Equip alumni volunteers with the training and tools necessary to execute impactful engagement opportunities
  
• Work closely with the Associate Director of Employer Engagement to build an activated network of alumni in the business sector to ensure Mendoza students have access to employment opportunities.
  
• Develop and execute stewardship plans for alumni to maintain strong relationships and increase engagement.
  
• Represent the University and Mendoza at Notre Dame alumni events.

20% Marketing

• Develop and maintain consistent alumni focused communications, including newsletters, social media, email campaigns, and website updates to keep them informed about upcoming events, news, and opportunities.
  
• Manage and assess the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
  
• Develop messaging to encourage alumni participation in featured events, news articles, and other Mendoza media opportunities.
  
• Collaborate with the Mendoza Marketing team and NDAA to elevate alumni visibility.

20% Data and Systems Management

• Maintain accurate alumni data within CRM systems to facilitate targeted outreach.
  
• Track key metrics related to alumni engagement, such as event attendance, donation rates, and website traffic, to evaluate program effectiveness and make data-driven adjustments.
  
• Build, distribute, and analyze alumni surveys to assess the effectiveness of alumni engagement efforts and gather market intelligence and guide strategy and programming improvements.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
  
• Operates comfortably and effectively in a multicultural environment; interacts tactfully and sensitively with culturally diverse populations.
  
• Manages difficult or emotional conversations; responds promptly to constituent needs; solicits constituent feedback to improve alumni services.
  
• Ability to work as a team member in a high-energy environment, along with proven skills of flexibility and adaptability to change.
  
• Ability to set goals, monitor progress, develop operational timelines, execute complex events, and measure success.
  
• Strong project management skills, able to manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Strong public speaking skills are necessary; ability to present strong and persuasive oral and written communications and to effectively work with internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Proficiency in MS Office, Google Apps, Qualtrics, and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working within an alumni relations or development function.
  
• Previous experience in marketing and communications.
  
• Comprehensive knowledge of engagement and fundraising principles, donor cultivation strategies, and volunteer management best practices.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The person in this position routinely presents information at meetings/events.
  
• The person in this position occasionally moves through the building to attend meetings/events and access files or information.
  
• May require work during early mornings, nights, and/or weekends.
  
• The person in the position travels domestically and internationally, as required.
  
• The person in this position is eligible to participate in Mendoza's Flexible Work location program.

The statements included in this description are intended to reflect the general nature and level of work assigned to this classification and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.

Additional Information
This position will close on September 30, 2025.

At Notre Dame, we know our impact depends on exceptional people, people like you. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, welcoming community. In keeping with our mission, we encourage applications from all who will help build and strengthen our beloved community. We strive to empower every employee to flourish, knowing your success propels Notre Dame to new heights of impact.

To apply, visit https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/UniversityOfNotreDame/3743990009293266-associate-director-alumni-engagement

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