Associate Director of Class Engagement & Giving (Reunion)

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Associate Director of Class Engagement & Giving (Reunion) position. The Associate Director of Class Engagement & Giving (Reunion) is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $68,000 to $72,000 per year.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

The Associate Director of Class Engagement & Giving (Reunion) plays a key role in advancing Amherst College’s culture of connection, participation, and philanthropy. This position designs and delivers class communications and programs, plans and executes class- and reunion-related events, and supports volunteer recruitment, training and outreach. They also provide leadership and strategic coordination for a portfolio of special projects—including, but not limited to, annual giving tactics, Giving Day initiatives, and volunteer communication efforts—many of which are carried out in close collaboration with Advancement Communications and colleagues across the division.

Reporting to the Director of Class Engagement & Giving, the Associate Director plays a central role in managing Amherst’s alumni Reunion, holding responsibility not only for their assigned class cohort but for overall Reunion operations, including but not limited to: logistics, class & college programs, communications, campus partner coordination, and more. The Associate Director is also responsible for developing documentation and resources that equip class liaisons to efficiently manage their class cohorts through the reunion planning process.

The Associate Director is an experienced and strategically minded professional who advances alumni engagement and philanthropy through strong relationships, effective volunteer management, and well-executed programs. They bring sound judgment, clear communication, and a high degree of autonomy to their work, collaborating across teams through influence rather than authority. With a thoughtful approach to planning and a strong sense of hospitality, the Associate Director delivers welcoming, seamless engagement experiences that deepen alumni affinity and inspire philanthropy.

Advancement staff are expected to promote a positive, solutions-focused workplace culture through professional and constructive engagement in meetings, collaborations, and daily interactions. Advancement work also includes “all-hands-on-deck” events that require occasional evening and weekend participation to support key College events, including—but not limited to—Reunion and Homecoming.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement; however, regular on-campus presence is expected to support leadership responsibilities, relationship building, and institutional priorities.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Event Planning & Execution

• Oversee and lead Reunion planning and coordination.
• Design and execute a compelling, high-quality program attentive to emerging College priorities, including programming that showcases Amherst alumni, faculty, and administrators and inspires connection and philanthropy.
• Manage reunion logistics, including registration systems, facilities, vendors, staffing, technology, and on-site operations.
• Additionally, coordinate with colleagues overseeing housing, student workers, reunion giving, and other aspects to ensure alignment and manage the overall project.
• Manage reunion communications strategy, including invitations, event webpages, email and text campaigns, and print materials, in collaboration with Advancement Communications.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate records, timelines, and documentation for all assigned class cohorts and volunteer groups, ensuring strong administrative management and planning continuity.
• Support the planning and execution of Homecoming and other on-campus alumni programs as assigned by the Director.

Reunion, Class & Volunteer Management

• Manage a portfolio of alumni classes, serving as a primary staff liaison for class engagement and giving, including: Reunion planning, Class Notes & In Memory pieces, class giving and Amherst Fund class appeals, and other class projects that foster connection and affinity within your cohort.
• Cultivate, support, and steward alumni volunteer leaders (e.g., reunion chairs, subcommittee chairs, and planning committee members; class officers including class presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, and treasurers; and class agents & associate agents) by setting clear expectations, providing strategic guidance, and sharing timely insights that advance participation and giving goals.
• Lead regular volunteer meetings, deliver data-informed recommendations, and ensure volunteers have the tools, information, and support needed to be successful.
• Develop and execute class-based communications and engagement plans that strengthen class identity, deepen alumni connection, and reinforce the College’s mission.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues to support volunteer training, communications, and reporting resources that strengthen engagement and participation pipelines.

Class Engagement Strategy & Communications

• Partner with colleagues across Advancement to support data-informed class engagement and giving strategies that advance institutional priorities.
• Manage class communications calendars and contribute to content development that reinforces class identity, participation, and connection to Amherst.
• Use data and analytics (CRM systems, Slate, internal dashboards) to inform strategy, track progress, and evaluate engagement and giving outcomes.
• Partner with Advancement Communications to highlight impact stories, Reunion milestones, and donor engagement moments across assigned class cohorts.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3 to 5 years of related experience.
• Equivalent combination of education/experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience; 5-7 years of skills related experience.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in alumni engagement, advancement, event planning, nonprofit programs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing events, including project management, logistics, and on-site coordination.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and a proven record of engaging stakeholders who hold diverse backgrounds.
• Occasional weekend and evening hours required; Occasional travel for volunteer management, regional programs support, and/or professional development.
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.
• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.
• Valid driver’s license and successful completion of Five College Risk Management driver credentialing program.
  (See: https://www.fivecolleges.edu/riskmgmt/driver_credentialing)

Preferred

• Experience managing volunteer committees or boards, and/or experience with fundraising.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Calendar) and/or Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with a constituent relationship management (CRM) system such as Slate, Salesforce, or similar; familiarity with database querying.
• Experience with communication platforms, including email marketing, texting, web content management, etc.
• Experience with event registration tools.
• Experience in higher education, particularly in alumni relations, annual giving, advancement, or admissions.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.