Senior Director Alumni Relations

About this role

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

WCL Advancement

Time Type: Full time Job Type: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week) Union:

Job Description:

Summary:

The SDAR provides strategic leadership and oversight for AUWCL’s comprehensive alumni engagement program, serving more than 22,000 J.D. and LL.M. alumni. The SDAR is responsible for developing and executing strategies that increase meaningful alumni engagement across volunteerism, experiential opportunities, philanthropic participation, and communications.

The SDAR plans, directs, and coordinates all alumni engagement activities for AUWCL, including the law school’s Alumni Association, regional chapters, local networks, alumni volunteer programs, and signature events. The SDAR directly supervises one staff member and leads the recruitment, training, and management of alumni volunteers. The role is expected to meet or exceed annual and long-term alumni relations goals while strengthening alumni connection, loyalty, and support of the institution.

Essential Functions:

1.) Strategic Leadership and Alumni Engagement • Developing and implementing forward-thinking, data-informed strategies to engage more than 22,000 alumni.

• Establishing SMART goals and evaluating outcomes to improve engagement, participation, and satisfaction.

• Expanding outreach through communications, events, and digital platforms.

• Increasing the number and diversity of actively engaged alumni aligned with institutional priorities.

2.) Volunteer and Chapter Management, Data Strategy • Managing and growing regional chapters, affinity groups, and alumni networks, with intentional expansion into geographic and professional communities.

• Supervising and supporting alumni volunteers, including recruitment, onboarding, recognition, and ongoing engagement of volunteer leaders and advocates.

• Providing strategic direction to the AUWCL Alumni Association to strengthen volunteer leadership and philanthropic support.

• Ensuring appropriate allocation and stewardship of budgets to support alumni-led activities and initiatives.

• Analyzing alumni data (demographics, geography, interests, professions) to inform strategy and identify engagement opportunities.

• Conducting surveys and feedback initiatives to align programming with alumni interests and needs.

• Supporting alumni-driven engagement opportunities nationwide, leverage the WCLs alumni association to grow the base of active and engaged volunteers as advocates and philanthropic supporters of the school.

3.) Staff Supervision and Event Strategy Execution • Directly supervising one staff member, including goal setting, performance management, professional development, and daily oversight.

• Providing leadership in planning and execution of alumni chapter events, including signature programs (e.g., Reunion, Meyers and Moore Society dinner), and regional events.

• Overseeing all logistical planning, including venue selection, catering, A/V, program development, vendor coordination, and event production elements.

• Ensuring exceptional event execution through proactive planning, problem-solving, and on-site leadership.

• Maintaining a consistent and high-quality alumni experience across all events.

• Managing alumni swag inventory and distribution of alumni-branded materials and event collateral.

4.) Communications, Content, and Administrative Management • Serving as an active member of the Central Alumni Relations cohort, collaborating with colleagues across AU to advance alumni engagement and strategic initiatives and participating in monthly meetings.

• Coordinating and producing alumni-facing content for the monthly newsletter and Advocate magazine.

• Partnering with internal stakeholders to share relevant institutional news and alumni achievements.

• Ensuring accurate and timely entry of alumni engagement data into the university’s advancement CRM.

• Managing requests from AU’s central alumni relations team and the WCL Dean’s Office.

• Supporting cross-campus collaboration to align alumni engagement efforts with broader institutional goals.

5.) Other Duties as Assigned   Supervisory Responsibility: • Supervises the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations.

Competencies: • Building and Supporting Teams.

• Building a Customer Focused Organization.

• Developing Plans.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Acting Strategically.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: • Full-time.

• 35 hours per week.

Salary Range: • $125,000.00 - $130,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience: • Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• 8 - 10 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience: • Bachelor's degree.

• 10+ years of relevant experience.

Travel Required: • Frequent national travel required.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: • At least six years of progressively responsible alumni relations or fundraising experience, preferably in higher education.

• Demonstrated high-level expertise and success in planning events that advance the school’s advancement goals.

• Experience managing engagement efforts for an alumni or donor base comparable to WCL (22,000+ living alumni).

• Successful, experienced leader with a record of managing collaborative work environments and supervising staff.

• Commitment to inclusive excellence and demonstrated experience in promoting an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Demonstrated experience building successful, productive relationships with top university administrators, deans, board members, and trustees.

• Demonstrated experience working with faculty.

• Demonstrated experience staffing high-end volunteer committees.

• Excellent written, verb

Similar jobs

• Director of Alumni Relations — Texas A&M University System · San Antonio, TX
• Director of Alumni Relations — American University · 4401 Connecticut Campus (Washington, DC)
• Associate Director of Alumni and Community Engagement — Hebrewpublic · New York, NY
• Associate Director, Alumni Events — University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA - University Park Campus
• Alumni Relations & Advancement Manager — University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI
• Associate Vice President, Alumni and Community Experiences — University of Chicago · Chicago, IL
• Senior Director of Development — Texas A&M University System · Corpus Christi, TX
• Associate Director, Advancement Services — Bluestarfamilies · Remote