Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement (Signature Experiences)

University of Denver•Denver, CO

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Denver (DU) is seeking a driven and passionate professional to join its Advancement team as the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Signature Experiences. This centrally-based role is a unique opportunity for a skilled professional to join a dynamic, purposeful enterprise united around a compelling vision charted by Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. The incumbent will be part of the university-wide advancement team and will work with a community of talented professionals advancing the mission of the University of Denver and representing the bold ideas of our faculty to inspire engagement and philanthropy. Reporting to the Director of Alumni Engagement, Signature Experiences, the Assistant Director will execute a wide range of alumni programs, creating meaningful opportunities for graduates to celebrate, reconnect, and deepen their lifelong relationship with the institution. This role will play a role in large-scale annual traditions, and will be directly responsible for executing individual events and programs as part of the university’s reunion program, life-stage engagement initiatives and volunteerism strategy, as outlined in the university’s alumni engagement strategic plan. The Assistant Director implements experiences that connect alumni to the university and one another through shared traditions, community celebrations, and experiences that add value to alumni across their lives. Specific initiatives led by this role include the University Alumni Council Programming Committee’s Meet@ event series, student-to-alumni transition and recent graduate initiatives, Dear Student volunteer program, and the department’s volunteer partnership with undergraduate admissions. The Assistant Director will have the opportunity to refine existing offerings and play a key role in developing and executing new programs in a highly collaborative environment, ensuring that signature components of DU’s alumni engagement program remain vibrant, inclusive, aligned with institutional priorities, and responsive to the evolving interests of a multifaceted alumni population.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for this qualification).
3 years of professional experience including at least 1 year of alumni, donor, constituent relations or relationship-based sales experience.
Basic knowledge of alumni engagement and volunteer management principles and tactics
Ability to build rapport with established and new volunteers and align toward shared goals
Exceptional attention to detail and strong commitment to quality, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing needs, and meet deadlines across overlapping projects and timelines.
Advanced interpersonal and communication skills, including clear, professional written and verbal communication with alumni, volunteers, students, vendors, and campus partners.
Sound judgment, with the ability to handle complex or escalated situations with professionalism, discretion, and tact.
Demonstrated initiative and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to identify process improvements, anticipate needs, and resolve issues proactively.
Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism while managing sensitive information, budgets, and institutional relationships.
Ability to adjust to shifting priorities and incorporate feedback.
Ability to work closely with a supervisor to develop effective individual relationship development strategies
Understanding of the institution’s mission, programs and priorities.
Ability to serve as a positive ambassador for the team and Advancement.
Proficient in Microsoft Office suite
Experience with accurately entering, updating and managing constituent and program data in a CRM or other database

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience in volunteer management, alumni engagement, and/or fundraising in higher education or a similarly complex non-profit organization

Responsibilities

Implement a portfolio of alumni engagement programs that create meaningful opportunities for graduates to celebrate, reconnect, and deepen their lifelong relationship with the university.
Execute key initiatives within the university's signature experiences strategy, including reunion programming, life-stage engagement efforts, the Meet@ event series, student-to-alumni transition programs, recent graduate initiatives, and volunteerism initiatives outlined in the alumni engagement strategic plan.
Support planning and execution of large-scale annual traditions, including Homecoming and other university-wide celebrations, in partnership with colleagues across Advancement and campus.
Establish program goals, assessment measures, and evaluation plans to track participation, volunteer involvement, constituent feedback, and overall impact.
Collaborate closely with colleagues in Advancement and across campus to deliver high-quality programs that advance institutional priorities.
Identify opportunities to enhance existing programs and develop new experiences that respond to alumni interests and evolving engagement trends.
Conduct one-on-one outreach and relationship-building with alumni to identify interests and connect constituents with meaningful engagement opportunities.
Recruit, onboard, support, and recognize alumni volunteers who serve as event hosts, mentors, advocates, committee members, Dear Student volunteers, admissions volunteers, and other engagement roles.
Partner with individual members of the Programming Committee of the University Alumni Council, supporting events and experiences that expand alumni engagement.
Build and maintain strong relationships with volunteers through regular communication, training, stewardship, and recognition.
Foster a culture of volunteerism that strengthens alumni affinity, pride, and connection to the university.
Encourage alumni to deepen their engagement through progressively meaningful volunteer experiences and philanthropic participation, including 1DAY4DU.
Meet assigned goals related to alumni discovery visits, volunteer engagement, and event participation.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of alumni interactions and contact reports in the CRM system.
Track and report on progress to individual goals.
Manage projects and initiatives in alignment with University policies and advancement best practices.
Serve as an engaged and collaborative member of the Alumni Engagement team, contributing to the successful execution of the university's alumni engagement strategy.
Represent the Advancement division and university at alumni, campus, and community events with professionalism and commitment to DU's mission and values.
Collaborate with colleagues across Advancement and campus to support alumni engagement, volunteerism, student success, and institutional priorities.
Promote an inclusive culture where all community members feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to participate, while demonstrating ongoing learning, self-awareness, and appreciation for diverse perspectives.