Overview
Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement Jobs in Syracuse, NY at Syracuse University
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
The Director provides strategic leadership for the Falk College Emerging Leaders Council (ELC), manages engagement events and programming, and works collaboratively with the development team to move prospects along the donor pipeline. The ideal candidate is a creative, entrepreneurial relationship-builder with strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in alumni relations, corporate engagement, development, or a related field, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit organization.
- Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with diverse external constituencies including alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
- Experience in event planning and execution, including regional and virtual programming.
- Knowledge of the sport industry or higher education advancement is preferred.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to make a compelling case for philanthropic and corporate support.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Proficiency in CRM systems (experience with Salesforce/Affinaquest or Citrus preferred) and Microsoft 365 applications.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and with senior leadership, faculty, and external constituencies.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on goal achievement and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
- Willingness and availability to travel domestically (approximately 10-15%).
- Develop, implement, and manage an integrated alumni and parent engagement program aligned with the College’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Cultivate relationships with alumni and families through personal outreach, events, social media, and digital communications.
- Strategize the transition of recent graduates into the alumni engagement pipeline and enhance mentorship opportunities.
- Partner with Falk Marketing & Communications to develop alumni-facing content and promotional materials.
- Collaborate with the Admissions and Student Success offices to expand alumni engagement in measurable ways.
- Champion giving programs and supplement donor recognition and stewardship strategies in collaboration with the development team.
- Contribute to engagement scorecard tracking and provide event analytics for debriefing.
- Provide management, oversight, and strategic direction for the Falk College ELC, the College’s young alumni board.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, meeting planning, and program development for the Council.
- Serve as the ELC’s primary liaison to college departments and leadership, coordinating opportunities for council members to engage with students, support admissions yield, and advance philanthropic initiatives.
- In partnership with the Assistant Dean for Advancement, assist with the management of the Falk College of Sport Advisory Board, including supporting new member recruitment and onboarding.
- Carry a portfolio of prospects including ELC members and Advisory Board members ensuring thoughtful stewardship, solicitation, and engagement strategies are developed and executed for each constituent.
- Identify and cultivate corporate prospects capable of providing new levels of support for Falk College through sponsorship, philanthropy, curriculum support, in-kind contributions, and joint funding approaches.
- Build and maintain relationships with key corporate partners in collaboration with the Assistant Dean for Advancement and the University’s Office of Corporate Partnerships.
- Communicate frequently with corporate contacts and move partners along a continuum of engagement.
- Lead planning and execution of alumni, parent, and corporate engagement events, including on-campus gatherings, virtual programs, and high-quality regional events in major metropolitan areas.
- Ensure seamless logistics, meaningful experiences, and alignment with institutional priorities.
- Maintain accurate event data in Citrus and prepare guest lists for development team follow-up.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
Title: Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement
Company: Syracuse University
Location: Syracuse, NY