Director, Alumni Relations & Strategic Engagement

About the Job

The Director of Alumni Relations & Strategic Engagement reports to the Executive Director of Career Services. This role will build and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that connects graduates to the University and to current students - through mentoring, employer introductions, events, and career opportunities. The position also supports the department's employer relations portfolio: assisting with employer partnerships, tiered engagement agreements, and the pipeline that moves students and alumni into internships and jobs.

Job Location

Fully on-site - must reside and work legally in the U.S. Regular work location: Lakewood, Colorado

About CCU

Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU's motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (ESV)

CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.

Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.

CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars-competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.

A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master's granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.

What is most appealing about working at CCU?

• Faith friendly: CCU's culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
• Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God's Word.
• Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.

We're looking for candidates who have:

• A Master's Degree preferred from an accredited institution in a related field such as student affairs, communications, business, nonprofit leadership, or a related discipline.
• Three to five years of experience in alumni relations, career services, employer relations, event planning, or related higher-education or nonprofit work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and events simultaneously in a high-energy environment, meeting deadlines and engagement goals.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to create content, coordinate events, and communicate effectively in person and in public settings.
• Proven proficiency with CRM or database platforms, Microsoft 365 tools, email and social media platforms, and basic data analysis for tracking and reporting.
• Demonstrated commitment to relationship-centered service, teamwork, discretion, and professionalism.

Key Job Responsibilities

Mission Contribution

The Director of Alumni Relations & Strategic Engagement contributes to CCU's mission of Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth by forming a lifelong bridge between the University and its alumni, and by connecting graduates' experience, networks, and goodwill directly to the success of current students. By building the employer and alumni pipelines through which students find internships, mentors, and full-time job opportunities, this role helps graduates leave CCU exceptionally employable and equipped to live out their calling.

Alumni Engagement & Relations

• Develop a written alumni engagement plan and annual programming calendar (events, communications, volunteer opportunities, mentoring) to maintain and grow the alumni base, that builds lifelong connection between alumni and the University.
• Serve as Career Services' primary point of contact for alumni relations, coordinating on shared alumni relationships, data, and philanthropic touchpoints with Advancement.
• Build structured pathways connecting alumni to current students - mentoring, informational interviews, internships, and job openings - activating alumni as a core part of the employer and career pipeline.
• Plan and host alumni events (reunions, regional gatherings, networking nights, alumni-student panels) in coordination with Career Services programming and campus partners.
• Coordination of data access and system administration for the alumni database, ensuring accurate contact information, engagement history, and career-outcome data.

Employer Relations & Partnerships

• Assist the Executive Director in building the CCU's employer partnership pipeline, including a tiered engagement model, and supporting collateral and marketing materials.
• Identify, secure, and steward employer relationships - cultivating new partners and maintaining existing ones - including opportunities for internships, jobs, site visits, and classroom or event participation.
• Represent Career Services at employer site visits, career fairs, and industry events, and support faculty and schools in identifying field-specific employer connections.

Data, Analytics & Technology Stack

• Serve as the department's day-to-day user for the alumni and employer technology stack, coordinating with IT on system administration, and ensuring data integrity and effective adoption across the team.
• Analyze alumni engagement and employer partnership data to inform strategy and report progress (e.g., outcome rates, employer satisfaction, alumni participation).
• Support outcome-data collection and reporting needed for compliance requirements by maintaining accurate alumni and career-outcome records.

Career Services Team Collaboration & Other Duties

• Serve as an active member of the Career Services team, participating in regular staff meetings, planning sessions, and strategic discussions.
• Collaborate with partners across campus to align messaging and programming.
• Work with the Executive Director on special projects, new initiatives, and other duties as assigned.

Nature of Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends, including alumni and employer events. Supporting Career Services and its founding Executive Director requires a high level of professionalism, discretion, and relationship-building skills, along with the flexibility to help build new systems and processes from the ground up.

What We Offer Our Employees:

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process. Colorado Christian University's pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity, along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship.

Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience within the range of $70,000 - $80,000. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate's qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.

Application Status

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.