Assistant Director, Alumni & Corporate Relations

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, UT

8h•Onsite

About The Position

As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders. The Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (PGE) seeks an Assistant Director, Alumni & Corporate Relations, which will work closely with the Department Chair, faculty, staff, students, and the Cockrell School development team. This role serves as a key connector between the department and its external stakeholders. The position represents the department at high-profile engagements and ensures meaningful, professional communication with alumni and industry leaders. The Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (PGE) seeks an Assistant Director, Alumni & Corporate Relations, which will work closely with the Department Chair, faculty, staff, students, and the Cockrell School development team. This role serves as a key connector between the department and its external stakeholders. The position represents the department at high-profile engagements and ensures meaningful, professional communication with alumni and industry leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Five years of experience in advancement, development, external relations, partnership-building, program management or sales experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting fundraising or philanthropic initiatives
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with senior industry professionals and alumni
Expert level proficiency using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel.
Proficiency in Joomla (or a related content management system).
Excellent verbal, written and communication skills.
Ability to set priorities and multi-task.
Ability to work collaboratively or independently with minimal supervision.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
More than five years of professional in advancement, development, external relations, partnership-building, program management or sales experience
Experience working in higher education or with academic units
Familiarity with UT Austin administrative systems (e.g., DEFINE, VIP)
Experience working with advisory boards, alumni groups, or corporate partners
Prior experience working with faculty leadership or academic departments
Strong organizational skills, including budget tracking and forecasting
Familiarity with the organizational structures, processes and procedures of The University of Texas at Austin or another institution of higher education.

Responsibilities

Build, maintain, and grow relationships with energy companies, alumni, and other external partners to support departmental priorities and student-focused initiatives.
Serve as a primary liaison for the department’s External Advisory Committee (EAC), managing communications and supporting the planning and execution of semi-annual, two-day EAC meetings with industry leaders.
Lead the department’s Distinguished Alumni Program, including engagement with honorees and coordination of a high-profile recognition dinner celebrating six distinguished alumni annually. The PGE department events staff will handle logistics of the event.
Partner with the Cockrell School development team to support corporate and individual fundraising efforts for departmental programs, including student initiatives such as workforce development, undergraduate research, and first-year programs.
Attend monthly DEV meetings with the Cockrell DEV team.
Manage stewardship activities for donors, including gift acknowledgements, reports, thank-you letters, and follow-up communications, in coordination with the Department Chair and other leadership.
Support annual giving efforts and targeted campaigns that strengthen alumni connection and philanthropic participation.
Collaborate with the Department Chair and faculty to identify, develop, and advance new initiatives aligned with departmental goals and industry needs.
Work closely with faculty, staff, and students to communicate opportunities, gather input, and ensure alignment between external engagement and academic priorities.
Represent the department professionally at key internal and external events, conferences, and networking opportunities (working with event planning staff rather than serving as the event planner).
Collaborate with PGEs events’ planning team for engagement at alumni and corporate events
Draft and manage professional correspondence with alumni, donors, industry partners, and advisory committee members. Ensure consistent, high-quality communication that reflects the department’s mission, impact, and strategic vision.