Reporting to the Executive Director of Alumni and Career Services, the Director of Alumni Engagement has primary administration over alumni chapter programs, reunions and events, and inclusion and affinity programs. The Director will have two direct reports leading the respective units, and a team of five employees in their reporting structure. The Director of Alumni Engagement works with the university’s Alumni Board of Directors and the Office of University Advancement to keep alumni connected and engaged with the university. The Director provides creative and structural vision for all programs, in addition to managerial oversight.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Visit jobs.wlu.edu to learn more about working at W&L, our benefits, community, and living in the area.

Essential Functions:

• Lead Alumni Chapter, Affinity Programs, and Reunions and Events teams, directly contributing to Alumni and Career Services engagement goals and benchmarks.

• Serve as a member of the Executive Director of Alumni and Career Services’ leadership team. Work with the Executive Director to develop multi-faceted engagement strategies for constituents (students, alumni, parents, etc.) and identify key individuals and constituent groups to engage.

• Foster relationships within the W&L community (alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, friends, and donors) on and off campus. Leads staff in collaborative engagement efforts with alumni communities specific to academic programs including Williams School; Theater, Dance, Choral; Shepherd Program Alternative Breaks; Athletics. Contributes to the W&L Magazine.

• Perform detailed analysis of current Alumni Board composition and provide strategic information about candidate analysis and selection for the Selection Committee annually. Support Alumni Board initiatives through chapter activities including career and networking developments and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

• Provide strategic leadership for the Alumni Chapter programs team of two, who administer programs for approximately 70 domestic and one international alumni chapters, led by over 600 volunteers. Oversight of the Director who operationalizes planning and execution of 300 annual chapter events including conceptualization, planning, budgeting, promotion and evaluation.

• Work with the Executive Director of Alumni and Career Services and the Vice President for University Advancement to identify faculty and topics of interest/expertise for selected chapter programs.

• Set specific annual goals for chapters, and strategize with the Director of Alumni Chapter programs on strategic programming and initiatives to creatively achieve goals for new and existing chapters

• Lead and manage the Alumni Engagement team of three responsible for reunions and affinity programs. The team produces major campus events including Young Alumni Weekend, Five Star Festival, Spring Alumni Weekends, and others. Work with Alumni Engagement staff and the Executive Director to build a best-in-class affinity engagement platform.

• Direct national and regional programming with alumni affinity groups. Coordinate with the Director of Career and Professional Development (CPD) on career related affinity groups. Collaborate with development to ensure maximum alumni engagement in all affinity programming.

• Travel to support chapter and affinity activities, and as serve as a university spokesperson. Invite faculty and administrator employees from campus to participate in engagement and lifelong learning events throughout the year.

• Advise unit Directors and Associate Directors on targets for program budgetary accounts. Assist the Executive Director in preparation of the Alumni and Career Services annual budget. Consult the Executive Director to propose and coordinate appropriate fees for programs.

• Prepare annual report for University Advancement.

• Represent Alumni Engagement on the Campus DEI committee and collaborate with CPD’s Diversity Lead around broader DEI efforts.

• Partner with Advancement, Career and Professional Development and Communications and Public Affairs on volunteer engagement strategy and communication.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 7 years' relevant work experience in Advancement or related field. An advanced degree is preferred.

• Prior work experience in higher education, academic administration or relevant industry experience preferred.

• Must have a love of learning and a strong commitment to continuing education opportunities.

• Must be able to work effectively with a wide network of individuals including alumni, parents, friends of the university, students, administration and staff.

• Regular travel is required.

Application Instructions: 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Please upload a resume and cover letter in your application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Application instructions and information about Washington and Lee University can be located at jobs.wlu.edu.

Position Type: Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

About Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee is a top-ranked, private institution in Lexington, Virginia where we integrate the rigorous inquiry and critical thinking of a liberal arts curriculum with nationally accredited undergraduate programs in business and journalism, and a graduate School of Law. Our graduates, mentored by a faculty of teacher-scholars, are ready to make a meaningful impact wherever they go in the world.The campus is a national historical landmark, the city offers small-town charm, and the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains provide unparalleled surroundings. Washington and Lee affirms that diverse perspectives and backgrounds enhance our community. We are committed to the recruitment, enrichment, and retention of students, faculty, and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points of view, interests, and identities. As engaged citizens in a global and diverse society, we seek to advance a positive learning and working environment for all through open and substantive dialogue.Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, we are interested in candidates who are committed to high standards of scholarship, performance and professionalism and to the development of a ...campus climate that supports equality and diversity in our faculty, staff and student body. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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