Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Alumni Relations, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Corporate Communications, Corporate Funding, Corporate Planning, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems, Data Quality, Donor Development, Donor Program, Donor Relations, Driver's License, Entrepreneurship, Event Management, Funding, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Logistics, Marketing Communications, Mentoring, Microsoft Product Family, Multitasking, Nonprofit, Onboarding, Organizational Skills, Plan Meetings, Project/Program Management, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Relationship Management, Salesforce.com, Scorecarding, Social Media, Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Student Admissions, Team Player, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Syracuse, NY
POSTED
18 days ago

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Advancement, the Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement serves as the primary relationship manager for Falk College's external constituent communities, including alumni, parents, corporate partners, and industry leaders. This role is responsible for designing and executing an integrated engagement strategy that deepens alumni and parent connections to the College, builds mutually beneficial corporate relationships, and creates pathways that advance philanthropic support of Falk College's mission.

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.

Education and Experience

  • 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.

Skills and Knowledge

  • 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%).

Responsibilities

Alumni & Parent Engagement:

  • 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.

Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) & Advisory Board Support:

  • 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.

Corporate Engagement:

  • 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.

Events:

  • 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.

Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About the Company

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Syracuse University