Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations

Towson University•Tyler, TX

37d

About The Position

a. Strategic Leadership, Program Development, and Engagement - Provide vision and direction for Towson University's alumni engagement strategy. Develop and implement a comprehensive plan that enhances alumni involvement, volunteerism, professional development, and giving. Design and deliver events, affinity and identity programs, lifelong learning opportunities, and digital engagement initiatives that reflect the needs, interests, and perspectives of Towson's diverse alumni community. Align all engagement activities with divisional and institutional goals and the TU Alumni Engagement Strategic Plan. b. Management and Supervision - Supervise and mentor directors and professional staff responsible for alumni engagement, communications, volunteer management, and recognition programs. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across teams. c. Collaboration with Academic and Administrative Units - Work with deans, university leadership, and key partners to envision and build alumni programs that enhance student and alumni success. Develop strategies to engage alumni by college, program, affinity, and geography, leveraging data-driven insights for greater reach and impact. d. Executive Director, TU Alumni Association (TUAA) - Serve as the chief administrative officer for the TUAA. Support the TUAA Board of Directors through governance, succession planning, training, and collaboration. Partner with TUAA leaders to recruit and develop alumni ambassadors and volunteer leaders who represent the diversity of the TU community. Build a pipeline of volunteers to serve in a variety of leadership roles across TU. Develop annual and multi-year goals for TUAA and implement benchmarking systems to track and celebrate progress. e. Data, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement - Collaborate with Advancement Services to track and measure alumni engagement, assess engagement outcomes, and utilize analytics for strategic decision-making. Ensure data collection and reporting reflect participation across alumni identities and experiences. f. Other Duties as Assigned - Serve as a key member of the University Advancement leadership team, representing the Vice President as needed and supporting divisional initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Seven, or more, years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations, engagement, or advancement, with at least five years in higher education or a similarly complex organization.
Demonstrated success in building and executing alumni engagement strategies that strengthen institutional pride, volunteerism, and philanthropic participation.
Experience developing programs that reflect and serve a diverse, inclusive, and multigenerational alumni base, including young alumni and alumni from historically underrepresented communities.
Expertise in designing initiatives that promote lifelong learning, career development, and alumni recognition.
Proven experience leading and motivating professional staff and volunteers in a collaborative, outcomes-based environment.
Strong understanding of alumni data systems, communications platforms, and engagement analytics.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with university leaders, board members, alumni, volunteers, and community partners.
Excellent written, verbal, and analytical communication skills.
Maturity and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Commitment to inclusion and belonging in alumni programming, communications, and volunteer engagement.

Nice To Haves

Experience within the University System of Maryland or similar system-based institution.
Master's degree in higher education administration, nonprofit management, communications, or related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of alumni engagement technologies (e.g., Salesforce, EverTrue, Protopia, Almabase).
Experience supporting volunteer boards and alumni affinity/identity networks.

Responsibilities

Provide vision and direction for Towson University's alumni engagement strategy.
Develop and implement a comprehensive plan that enhances alumni involvement, volunteerism, professional development, and giving.
Design and deliver events, affinity and identity programs, lifelong learning opportunities, and digital engagement initiatives that reflect the needs, interests, and perspectives of Towson's diverse alumni community.
Align all engagement activities with divisional and institutional goals and the TU Alumni Engagement Strategic Plan.
Supervise and mentor directors and professional staff responsible for alumni engagement, communications, volunteer management, and recognition programs.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across teams.
Work with deans, university leadership, and key partners to envision and build alumni programs that enhance student and alumni success.
Develop strategies to engage alumni by college, program, affinity, and geography, leveraging data-driven insights for greater reach and impact.
Serve as the chief administrative officer for the TUAA.
Support the TUAA Board of Directors through governance, succession planning, training, and collaboration.
Partner with TUAA leaders to recruit and develop alumni ambassadors and volunteer leaders who represent the diversity of the TU community.
Build a pipeline of volunteers to serve in a variety of leadership roles across TU.
Develop annual and multi-year goals for TUAA and implement benchmarking systems to track and celebrate progress.
Collaborate with Advancement Services to track and measure alumni engagement, assess engagement outcomes, and utilize analytics for strategic decision-making.
Ensure data collection and reporting reflect participation across alumni identities and experiences.
Serve as a key member of the University Advancement leadership team, representing the Vice President as needed and supporting divisional initiatives.