A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Join Our Team as Director of Alumni Engagement

Are you ready to lead and inspire a team dedicated to building lifelong, mutually enriching relationships with over 68,000 alumni? The University of Michigan-Dearborn seeks a visionary leader to enhance our Institutional Advancement (IA) efforts. We seek someone with the energy, creativity, and collaborative spirit to make a meaningful impact.

About the Role

As the director of Alumni Engagement, you will lead our efforts to create a vibrant community of engaged alumni who actively support UM-Dearborn with their time, talent, and treasure. As a Vice Chancellor's leadership team member, your role will involve strategically developing and implementing comprehensive alumni engagement plans, fostering a philanthropic culture, and enhancing outreach efforts.

• Visionary Leadership: Establish and execute short-term and long-range plans for alumni engagement, tailored to match the strengths and opportunities of the university with alumni interests and needs. Embrace and promote our culture of diversity and inclusion.
• Resource Management: Manage talent and budget to meet strategic goals, ensuring optimal use of resources.
• Staff Development: Provide developmental leadership to the alumni engagement team, fostering an environment of collaboration and growth.
• Volunteer Management: Lead and support the Alumni Society Board (ASB) and various alumni affiliate groups with inspiration and collaboration.
• Performance Metrics: Develop effective metrics to evaluate program strategies and outcomes, focusing on benefits and goals rather than just activities.
• Strategic Collaboration: Work with senior IA team members to align strategies across functional areas for maximum impact.
• Fundraising Support: Support the Look to Michigan fundraising campaign and beyond with innovative ideas to encourage alumni giving.
• Community Engagement: Enhance UM-Dearborn's visibility in southeastern Michigan, keeping the chancellor?s vision and campus goals front and center.
• Marketing and Communications: Collaborate with External Relations to develop alumni engagement marketing strategies, including innovative social media campaigns.
• Liaison Role: Serve as a liaison to the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan (AAUM), seeking collaborative opportunities and implementing best practices.
• Resource and Expertise Sharing: Advise IA colleagues on effectively engaging alumni in existing projects and new initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
• 7-10 years of experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, fundraising, or marketing/communications, with increasing management responsibility.
• Strong strategic planning skills, including setting priorities and organizing resources.
• Excellence in written and verbal communication, with a talent for storytelling across diverse formats.
• Commitment to assessing and using outcomes to inform future strategies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to service, collaboration, and open communication.
• Ability to lead and collaborate effectively with senior faculty and staff, with deep respect for inclusion and diversity.
• High levels of energy, initiative, and integrity.
• Proficiency in leveraging technological advances, including CRMs and digital/social media.
• Appreciation for a rigorous, student-centered, and inclusive academic environment.
• Ability to travel and participate in evening and weekend activities.

• Graduate degree in a relevant field.
• Professional experience in higher education.
• UM-Dearborn alumni status (preferred but not required).
• Experience serving on a volunteer board.

Why Join Us?

• Impact: Play a crucial role in shaping the future of UM-Dearborn by connecting and inspiring our global alumni community.
• Innovation: Work in an environment that values creativity and forward-thinking and actively seeks new and better ways to engage our alumni.
• Collaboration: Enjoy a collaborative culture where your ideas are valued and teamwork is essential.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Be part of a university committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment.
• Professional Growth: Take on a role that offers ample professional development and leadership opportunities.

If you're ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, apply now to join our team in advancing the mission and vision of our beloved institution!

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

Connections working at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor