The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is seeking a highly relational and strategic Associate Director of Global Engagement to serve as a vital partner to our geographically based alumni communities, including domestic and international clubs, affinity networks, and emerging groups.

The ideal candidate is an adaptable and inclusive leader who balances high-level strategic thinking with exceptional operational execution, driving volunteer-led engagement through relationship management, operational support, and resource coordination. 

In addition to the responsibilities and qualifications listed below, and most importantly, candidates must share and hold to the highest regard the same values that are uniquely inherent to the Alumni Association:

ALL IN

Believe in our mission

Be trustworthy and loyal to the Alumni Association and each other

Be passionate about what we're doing and be proud to be a part of it

Be an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty

SERVING HEART

Be open and willing to listen to others and help in whatever way possible

You're dedicated to selflessly following the Platinum Rule: treat others the way they want to be treated

SOLUTION SEEKER

You're a creative problem solver

You're never satisfied with the status quo

You find a way to say yes

You embrace new ideas and approaches from different perspectives 

You're collaborative, flexible and adaptive

Relationship Management & Volunteer Support

• Serve as the primary staff liaison for a portfolio of regional alumni clubs and geographically based community groups.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with volunteer leaders, alumni ambassadors, and community stakeholders.
• Provide coaching, consultation, and leadership development to volunteer boards and committees.
• Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and leadership transitions.
• Work in partnership with the Associate Director of Volunteer Lifecycle Management to identify gaps, opportunities, and trends in recruiting, onboarding, training, recognition, and succession planning for volunteers. Participate in and facilitate training and workshops.
• Work in partnership with the Associate Director of Affiliate Programs to identify partnership opportunities between clubs and affiliates. Help to drive support for affiliate initiatives at the club level.
• Facilitate regular communication with club leaders to ensure alignment with university priorities and engagement goals.
• Arrange in-person meetings, field visits, and provide on-site support for club meetings, signature events, and community service initiatives. Travel for some of these engagements will be required and may occur in the evening or on weekends.
• Support high-performing volunteer cultures that encourage inclusion, innovation, and alumni participation.

Resource & Operational Management

• Manage and distribute club resources, including funding, training, toolkits, event templates, compliance and operational guidance.
• Develop scalable systems, processes, and best practices that improve volunteer effectiveness and consistency across regions.
• Coordinate annual planning and reporting processes, goal setting, and reporting for regional communities.
• Monitor and evaluate club activity, engagement metrics, and program outcomes to inform strategy and resource allocation.
• Maintain accurate records and data within alumni engagement and CRM systems.
• Collaborate with a variety of program areas across the organization to meet engagement and membership goals.

Event & Program Support

• Advise and support regional clubs in the planning and execution of alumni events and programs.
• Collaborate with campus partners to expand programming opportunities including networking events, student recruitment activities, service initiatives, lifelong learning, and welcome-to-the-neighborhood programming.
• Assist with university-sponsored regional events, leadership conferences, and volunteer training opportunities.
• Ensure programs reflect institutional values and support a welcoming alumni experience.

Strategic Engagement & Collaboration

• Identify opportunities to grow alumni engagement in key metropolitan regions and emerging alumni markets.
• Partner with colleagues across campus to align outreach, communications, and engagement efforts.
• Support strategies that strengthen alumni affinity, increase volunteer participation, and create pathways for philanthropic engagement.
• Analyze trends and recommend innovative engagement strategies to support evolving alumni needs and expectations.
• Perform other administrative support functions as needed including data reporting, scholarship follow up, technology troubleshooting, and business office questions.

General Responsibilities:

• Provide organizational leadership by demonstrating AAUM core values: All In, Serving Heart, and Solution Seeker, and helping other staff members demonstrate those values.
• Value and embrace different identities and perspectives, recognizing that everyone has unique and different experiences that contribute to the best solution seeking and success for AAUM. 
• Work with AAUM staff members to gain a clear and consistent understanding of the details of the strategic plan and feel equal ownership of every piece of it, including pieces for which there is no direct responsibility.
• Be collaborative with all AAUM staff and teams. Operate as a critical contributing member of the staff to complete objectives in many different areas in order to move the whole organization toward the strategic plan.
• Support University Relations efforts by demonstrating AAUM value to campus units/partners (i.e., schools/colleges, campuses).
• Continually build digital skill sets in order to implement into work.
• Staff and participate in team meetings, Alumni Association events that may be during evenings or weekends, and staff retreats including offsite, overnight staff retreats at Camp Michigania.
• Provide staff support to the Alumni Association's Board of Directors, its committees, and other volunteers as needed.
• Coordinate special projects as assigned or required.
• Participate in Alumni Association and other University committees as required.
• Share knowledge through internal communication.
• Support the Alumni Association's vision of creating a place of belonging for all alumni.
• Remain current with respect to technology and the university's educational resources.

Supervision Received

Direct supervision is received from the Senior Director of Global Engagement

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4-6 years of experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, community engagement, nonprofit leadership, higher education, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with a diverse network of volunteers, stakeholders, and community leaders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to adapt messages based on the intended audience.
• Experience coordinating events, programs, or volunteer initiatives.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends and travel as needed.

• Experience working in higher education.
• Familiarity with volunteer board management and alumni engagement strategies.
• Experience using CRM or engagement platforms such as Salesforce and project management tools such as Asana.
• Familiarity with Google Suite.
• Knowledge of regional engagement models, affinity programming, or community-based engagement strategies.

• Occasional evening and weekend is required to support club events and programs, as well as other Alumni Association programs and events.
• This position requires occasional travel for in-person meetings with clubs (25%).

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity 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.

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