Director of Lifetime Engagement

Wentworth Institute of Higher Education • Boston, MA

1d • $90,000 - $113,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Division of University Advancement creates meaningful opportunities for alumni, students, families, friends, faculty, and staff to engage with the university and inspires philanthropic support. The Director of Lifetime Engagement leads a comprehensive, data-informed alumni engagement strategy focused on volunteer leadership, measurable engagement outcomes, and industry connectivity. This work is intentionally aligned with institutional priorities, including career outcomes, workforce development, and strategic industry partnerships. Reporting to the Executive Director of Lifetime Engagement and Annual Giving (EDLEAG), the Director serves as a primary liaison between the alumni community and the university, strengthening relationships that advance student success, career outcomes, community-building, and philanthropy. The Director designs and implements a scalable, lifecycle-based engagement strategy spanning the student transition experience, early- and mid-career alumni engagement, and industry leader involvement, ensuring programs are strategically aligned and impact-driven.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5+ years of professional experience in alumni relations, development, or a related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and proofreading proficiency
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and priorities effectively
• Comfort using digital platforms and analytics to drive engagement decisions
• Commitment to leveraging digital tools and social media to grow alumni engagement
• Understanding of workforce trends and industry engagement models
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse audiences politely and effectively
• Ability to articulate the mission and priorities of the university with conviction
• Creativity, initiative, and sound judgment in motivating and supporting volunteers
• Demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, collegiality, integrity, discretion, and trustworthiness
• Experience managing volunteers or boards preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience leveraging AI and emerging digital tools to enhance engagement strategy and operational effectiveness

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a higher education setting
• Familiarity with Slate Advancement or similar CRM databases
• Experience using engagement data and analytics to inform strategy

Responsibilities

• Volunteer & Alumni Leadership Alongside the EDLEAG, work closely with the Wentworth Alumni Association (WAA) and other alumni groups to Provide strategic oversight and direction to the WAA to ensure alignment with university priorities and measurable outcomes
• Develop annual goals and success metrics with WAA leadership tied to student impact, alumni participation and engagement, and philanthropy
• Build and manage a structured alumni volunteer program, potentially including mentorship, career panels, admissions ambassadors, regional and affinity networks
• Recruit, train, and steward alumni volunteers to ensure meaningful and rewarding experiences
• As necessary, update volunteer role descriptions, onboarding, and evaluation processes
• Track and report volunteer participation, retention, and impact
• Lead meetings and provide strategic guidance and leadership to alumni groups
• Responsible for increasing measurable alumni engagement rates and expanding meaningful engagement touchpoints across the alumni population.
• Lead a data-informed engagement strategy grounded in engagement and conversion metrics
• Oversee alumni engagement communications and digital platforms strategy that drives connection, impact, and storytelling
• Lead the development and implementation of a robust digital engagement infrastructure, including newsletters, web, social, and digital community platforms, to amplify alumni and donor stories, strengthen volunteer engagement, and industry impact
• Evaluate and leverage digital engagement platforms and online communities to create scalable, year-round alumni networking and engagement opportunities.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators such as: Email click-through rates Volunteer conversion and retention rates Website and social engagement metrics Event attendance and engagement
• Utilize CRM and engagement data to support segmentation, personalization, and targeted outreach strategies across diverse alumni populations.
• Use engagement data to inform segmentation, outreach strategies, and continuous improvement
• Design and implement non-traditional alumni engagement models, including industry-hosted programs, employer-site engagement, and career-centered alumni experiences.
• Strengthen relationships with employers where alumni work to expand opportunities for student career exposure and alumni involvement
• Partner with the Office of Co-ops & Careers and academic units to connect alumni to mentorship, panels, and experiential learning opportunities
• Identify and cultivate alumni champions within key industries and companies
• Support industry-aligned alumni programming that reinforces Wentworth’s STEM and workforce development goals
• Serve as a connector between alumni, industry partners, and the university to foster mutually beneficial relationships
• Serve as a strategic partner to campus leadership to integrate alumni engagement into academic, career, and student success initiatives.
• Work closely with Academic Affairs, Student Engagement, Athletics, Co-ops & Careers, and other campus partners to coordinate inclusive and high-impact alumni and student engagement.
• Partner with campus colleagues to create engagement opportunities that connect alumni and students in meaningful ways
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications, University Events, and Advancement Operations to ensure engagement strategies are aligned and well-supported
• Focus on strategic direction and alumni participation in events while the University Events team leads logistics and execution
• Partner with Annual Giving and Individual Giving teams to identify highly engaged alumni and support cultivation pathways that align engagement with philanthropic outcomes.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of engagement initiatives and recommend enhancements, innovations, or strategic shifts based on participation data and institutional priorities.
• Contribute to planning and stewardship of alumni engagement resources and budgets to ensure strategic and sustainable program delivery.
• Remain visible and accessible to alumni through one-on-one outreach, volunteer touchpoints, and community engagement
• Provide timely progress updates and recommend strategic adjustments based on data and outcomes
• Stay informed of trends and best practices in alumni engagement, volunteer management, and philanthropy
• Participate in professional networks and bring forward innovative ideas to inform strategy

Benefits

• Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to fair, transparent, and legally compliant compensation practices.
• We believe that clarity about pay structures and ranges supports equity, fosters trust, and ensures a positive workplace for all employees.
• Please visit here to see the comprehensive benefits package offered to support the best experience for our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director