Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

OUTSTANDING BENEFITS UNLIKE ANY OTHER. Low-cost health benefits, 403b employer contribution, affordable tuition at Niagara University for you and eligible immediate family members, tuition exchange at other designated universities for eligible dependent children, generous holidays (20 days annually), PTO, and ½ day Fridays throughout the summer. Niagara University is also an approved employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Campus life is vibrant and offers free parking, on-site dining options, and fresh coffee at Tim Horton's and Starbucks, all in a beautiful park-like setting. If you'd like to know more, check out all of the NU Facts.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement designs, executes, and supervises a comprehensive portfolio of alumni relations initiatives to advance Niagara University's mission. Reporting directly to the Director of Institutional Advancement, the Assistant Director serves as a key ambassador for the University proactively recruiting, engaging, and stewarding alumni to foster lifelong affinity and philanthropic support.

This role is highly collaborative, requiring the Assistant Director to build strong partnerships with campus-wide departments, academic colleges, and the Alumni Association to create an integrated, modern engagement program that connects graduates back to the life of the University.

Essential Duties

Alumni Engagement & Event Management

• Provide direction, oversight and project implementation support for alumni programs, events, communications and activities designed to improve communication with Niagara's constituents and engage alumni and friends in the life of the University;
• Oversee and manage all areas of alumni weekend. Responsible as the key person to administer, support, and refine the annual Alumni Weekend Program including but not limited to registration processing, team assignments, nametags, event overviews, mailings, and work orders;
• Serve as the liaison with network leaders and alumni to communicate and engage graduates with Niagara University while collaborating with IA staff on out of town alumni strategies;
• Evaluate annual alumni programs, measure impact, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Responsible as a key person to work collaboratively with Niagara University Alumni Association, students, faculty and staff, departments within the university, and institutional advancement staff in support of advancement goals, to strengthen relationships with alumni;

Digital Engagement, Communications, & Systems

• Monitor and manage all alumni social media platforms;
• Key person responsible for NetCommunity/Blackbaud alumni emails and university website; registration and event builds and to work with the department of technology as needed to maintain an accurate, relevant web presence for alumni on the university pages and the events page. Approve and oversee monthly e-newsletters and events communication.

Strategic Collaboration & Pipeline Development

• Work collaboratively with the Manager of Annual Fund & Stewardship on initiatives such as Giving Day and the President's Dinner;
• Work collaboratively with Career Services and 5 colleges to better communicate and execute alumni connections.
• Collaborate with Advancement Officers to engage alumni in the donor cycle. Assist in donor pipeline development by regularly updating IA team of potential alumni prospects

Administration & Program Evaluation

• Administer, support, and refine the program of alumni events, on and off-campus;
• Oversee hiring, supervision, and evaluation of Graduate Assistant;
• Relationship manager to corporate affinity programs (ex. Liberty Mutual & TD insurance incentives) to maximize benefits;
• Maintain technical and professional competence;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

% of Time

• 40% Direct alumni contact
  • Activities of direct alumni contact, including reunions/events
• 30% Program Support and Digital Strategy:
  • Managing administrative logistics, website updates, NetCommunity emails, digital outreach, marketing support, and tracking impact metrics.
• 20% Alumni Outreach Travel:
  • Out-of-office engagement to meet with alumni, support regional chapters, and execute off-campus events.
• 10% General Administration:
  • Team meetings, supervising graduate assistant, partnering with IA leadership on high-level strategy

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

1) Bachelor's degree in a related field required.

2) A valid New York State driver's license is required that satisfies both University and insurance company underwriting rules and regulations for driving a motor vehicle. Must also be able to operate a motor vehicle in Canada.