Director of Alumni Relations

Southern Oregon University•Ashland, OR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Alumni Relations provides strategic leadership for the design, implementation, and implementation of the university's comprehensive alumni engagement program. Operating with a small unit, this role balances high-level vision with direct, hands-on execution to connect a diverse alumni base with Southern Oregon University. Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement and Director of the SOU Foundation, the Director is responsible for building lifelong affinity, increasing volunteerism, managing community traditions, and generating active support for the university. This position requires a highly energetic, organized, and collaborative professional capable of working in tandem with the SOU Alumni Association and the Assistant Director of Engagement to integrate alumni engagement initiatives directly into broader university advancement and development goals.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
At least four years of progressive, professional experience in alumni relations, higher education administration, admissions, public relations, fundraising, or nonprofit management.
Demonstrated ability to build programs, manage complex projects independently, and execute major public events with minimal administrative support.
Exceptional public speaking, presentation, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.
Flexibility and willingness to work evenings and weekends for campus events, regional programs, and professional travel.
Must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License.
Proficiency in managing social media platforms as well as in standard Microsoft 365 software.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in higher education administration, communications, business administration, or a related field.
Supervisory experience.
Direct experience working within a university environment.
Proficient working knowledge of advancement databases and donor management software (such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce).

Responsibilities

Plan and execute an annual strategic alumni engagement operating plan aligned with University Advancement objectives.
Plan, develop, and exercise budget authority over the Alumni Relations operational budget to maximize program return on investment.
Utilize data analytics and assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of programming, develop and maintain alumni tracking metrics, and report trends to leadership.
Partner with development staff to align alumni activity with the university's ongoing major giving priorities and philanthropic pipeline.
Provide executive staffing and logistical support to the SOUAA Board of Directors; partner directly with the Board Development & Nominating Committee to manage board recruitment, facilitate regular elections, coordinate the orientation program for newly elected board members, and maintain oversight of bylaws and governing policies.
Serve as chair and logistical lead for major high-visibility campus milestones, working alongside the SOUAA Alumni Engagement & Programming Committee to coordinate Homecoming, reunions, and family weekends.
Identify, recruit, and guide volunteer leadership to develop and approve official charters for regional alumni chapters and industry-specific affinity networks across the state and country.
Establish engagement opportunities tailored specifically to diverse subgroups, such as first-generation graduates, young alumni, and athletic or academic affinity cohorts.
Partner with the SOUAA Career Services & Mentorship Committee and the campus career center to expand internship pipelines, promote professional development webinars, and mobilize the digital Raider Network platform to support student-to-alumni mentoring channels.
Oversee the selection and distribution of institutional alumni distinction awards in collaboration with the SOUAA Awards and Recognition Committee.
Design and deploy demographic-driven communication strategies through newsletters, web portals, targeted email marketing, and editorial content for The Raider alumni magazine.
Direct the university's official alumni social media platforms to promote alumni programs, manage digital content, boost event registrations, and elevate campaign visibility in collaboration with the university's marketing department.
Partner with Advancement Services to regularly update contact info, business records, and biographical fields within the central database; execute trace strategies with the committee to enrich missing information for "lost" alumni.
Serve as an official face, liaison, and informational spokesperson for the university's alumni base, publicizing outstanding professional, civic, and philanthropic milestones to boost institutional pride.
Supervisor responsibility and other duties as assigned