Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement (36475)

Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Position Information

Position Title: Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement Position Number: 00036475 Classification: Assistant Director Open Date: February 26, 2026 Close Date: March 31, 2026 Priority Review Date: March 31, 2026 Employee Class: Full-Time Full-Time FTE: 1.00 Position Status: Regular FLSA Exempt: Yes Job Code: 1040SPS03 Union Representation: Non-Union Union Code: NA Unit/Department: Alumni Services College Unit: Alumni Services Division University Advancement: Location - BARSM ALUM Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page: https://foundation.myniu.com

Position Summary

Are you a detail-oriented strategist with a passion for world-class experiences? We are looking for an Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement to serve as a primary architect of adventure and connection for our global Huskie family. The impact you will make working closely with the Engagement Team within the Division of Advancement will drive the vitality of our outreach efforts. Reporting to the Executive Director, your role will be pivotal in Journey Curating, Serving as the initial point of contact for interested travelers, guiding them through the possibilities of our Travel Program with expertise and enthusiasm. Operational Excellence, Powering the daily operations of the engagement program from logistical planning and reporting to the creative development of event materials. Strategic Support, Acting as a key lieutenant to leadership providing critical assistance in budgeting, financial management, event management, and specialized travel planning. Mission Advocacy, Consistently interacting with high-level donors and prospects to promote the vision and values of NIU and its Foundation.

We are looking for a professional who balances the big picture of alumni engagement with the precision of high-level administration. Your toolkit should include:

• A Precision Mindset
• A high level of detail and organization is your signature.
• Uncompromising Ethics
• You will be a guardian of the institutions reputation exercising total discretion when handling sensitive donor and constituent data while meeting the highest ethical standards.
• Financially Savvy
• You possess the ability to navigate budgeting and financial assistance tasks with accuracy ensuring our programs remain sustainable and impactful.
• Engaging Communication
• Whether you are providing administrative support behind the scenes or interacting directly with alumni, your communication is professional, welcoming, and persuasive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Event Program Support

• Collaborates with the event team on event planning and execution.
• Stays fully trained on systems and software, including event creation, data pulling, and event information lookup.
• Works to identify venues, availability, pricing for events locally and regionally, including site visits.
• Maintain master calendar of events.
• Research of regional activities for events.
• Communicate with attendees for registrations, answering questions, and collecting payment.
• Maintains RSVP lists.
• Fields inbound calls from potential attendees with questions and registration assistance.
• Assists with financial closing of events.
• Attends events to help with setup, check-in, and tear-down.
• Prints nametags for events.
• Curates door prizes and other event collaterals for events.
• Closes out events by capturing attendees no-shows, walk-ins, and on-site transactions.

Travel Program Support

• Acts as the initial point of contact for inbound inquiries from potential travelers.
• Maintains traveler lists and tracks traveler information.
• Assists in the creation of marketing lists.
• Ensures trips get posted on website.
• Prepares packets for travelers.
• Manages list pulls to identify alumni in areas where trips are executed.

Mission Live Mascot Program Management

• Manages Missions scheduling.
• Oversees billing for Missions appearances.
• Acts as primary liaison for inquiries.
• Serves as initial point of contact for Missions handler and ROTC.

NIU Alumni Association Board Support

• Assists in building board meeting packets.
• Assists Executive Director with scheduling board activities.
• Manages key board processes, including orientation and award selection.
• Maintains board bios and contact lists.
• Provides administrative support for the nominating committee and the awards committee.

Marketing & Promotional Materials Management

• Manages promotional items and giveaway distribution.
• Tracks promotional items and giveaway inventories.
• Supervises students to ensure division needs for promotional items and giveaways are being fulfilled.

Other Related Duties

• Supports the overall work processes and functions of the events team and assists with other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Civil Service NA
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Civil Service NA
• Specialty Factors Civil Service NA
• Preferred Qualifications Civil Service NA

Minimum Required Qualifications

• SPS Bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Two years of professional experience in development, marketing, sales, or other related fields.
• Valid drivers license and use of personal transportation.
• Additional Requirements SPS
• Demonstrable commitment to the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the CASE Statement of Ethics, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, and The Donor Bill of Rights.
• Membership not required.
• Deep personal commitment to diversity in all forms, the recognition of all individuals to mutual respect, and the acceptance of others without biases.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data collection best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to present and deliver information effectively.
• Familiarity with electronic registration tools.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing projects and project-manage multiple projects at a time.
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to keep accurate records and complete timely reports.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, co-workers, and constituents.
• The ability to work effectively with system administrators or programmers.
• Skill and ability in applying the use of Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to use common sense approaches, work autonomously, and make reliable, prudent, and sound decisions.
• Ability to provide high-quality services in a cost-effective manner and to recommend improved methods of performing the work.

Preferred Qualifications

• SPS None

Physical Demands and Requirements

Some travel is required for this position. Use of a personal vehicle is required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand for long periods of time, walk, use fingers and hands to feel, grasp, operate, or handle objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift and carry 20 lbs regularly.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 1, 2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date: Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week: 37.50 Working Hours: While established University office hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm in the office environment, alumni relations work is professionally conducted at times and places consistent with alumni and volunteer availability. Occasional nights and weekends. Salary: $55,000.08 Annually NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Application Procedure

For full consideration, please visit http://employment.niu.edu/postings/90444 to submit the following materials by March 31, 2026.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter: Please include your interest in employment with the NIU Foundation and how your previous experience positions you for success in the role for which you are applying.
• Current Resume.
• List of Three current Professional References, including name, email address, and phone number.
• Transcripts: If applicable, unofficial copies are acceptable for initial review of application. Official copies required to confirm appointment.

Applications submitted after March 31 are welcomed but will be considered as needed.

Special Instructions

• Quick Link to Applicant: http://employment.niu.edu/postings/90444
• Is Background Check Required: Yes
• EEO Statement: In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability, physical and mental marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer Title IX Coordinator Health Services Building Room 230 TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu 815-753-5560

Visa Policy: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation: NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a persons disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity AAEO at adaniu.edu.

Safety Information: NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety. Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

• Resume
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• List of at least 3 Professional References
• Optional Documents: Military Discharge Documents ONLY DD214, DD215, NGB22, DD256, Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)