Associate Director, Alumni Relations

Hamilton College•Anderson, NY

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Alumni Relations plays a key leadership role in Alumni Relations, building relationships, developing programming, facilitating volunteer leadership, and driving strategic initiatives across volunteer engagement, reunion planning, and alumni programming. In addition, this position acts as a trusted resource to the Director, using sound judgment to advance departmental priorities and continuity. Ideal candidates are strong relationship-builders who are comfortable both taking initiative independently and collaborating on broader team goals.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Five-plus years in alumni relations, volunteer management, higher education, nonprofits, communications, events, or a related field
Demonstrated experience building successful relationships with volunteers, constituents, or community partners
Exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building, and volunteer management skills
Strong organizational skills, balancing multiple priorities, deadlines, and volunteer-driven initiatives
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and meeting-facilitation skills
Ability to build consensus and foster productive relationships among diverse stakeholders
Strong initiative, flexibility, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving
Commitment to exceptional constituent service — professionalism, empathy, patience, discretion
Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, shared drives)
Ability to learn alumni engagement and enterprise systems
Ability to travel occasionally, staff events, and work evenings/weekends as needed

Nice To Haves

Facilitating committees, volunteer groups, or collaborative projects
Mentoring or directing student employees or interns
Background in higher education, advancement, or nonprofit organizations

Responsibilities

Serve as primary staff liaison to assigned Alumni Council committees (Community Engagement Committee, Hamilton Career Network), supporting chairs and volunteers in meeting annual goals
Guide reunion committees through the full planning cycle, balancing volunteer creativity with Reunion traditions, institutional priorities, and timelines
Capture volunteer vision and partner with colleagues on execution; coordinate meeting follow-up (notes, action items, deadlines) to keep volunteers engaged and on schedule
Identify, cultivate, and lead talent for volunteer roles and events
Support development of alumni programming and engagement initiatives with volunteers, faculty, campus partners, and Advancement colleagues
Assist with shaping programming that reflects volunteer interests, institutional priorities, and philanthropic opportunities
Manage alumni listservs to promote programs and drive participation across class years, affinities, and regions
Serve as a trusted, responsive resource for alumni and volunteers, answering questions, resolving concerns, connecting them to the right campus partners
Represent the College with professionalism, warmth, and sound judgment as an Alumni Office ambassador
Support the Director in advancing departmental goals through leadership of assigned initiatives and projects
Train and provide day-to-day direction to Alumni Relations intern(s) including but not limited to, assigning work, performance feedback, supporting development (in coordination with the Alumni Office intern manager)
Perform other duties as assigned