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Director of Alumni Relations

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Actuarial Skills, Alliance/Partner Management, Alumni Relations, Best Practices, Board Meeting, Budgeting, Campaigns, Communication Skills, Computer Science, Construction Management, Continuous Improvement, Customer Support/Service, Data Analysis, Engagement Marketing, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Establish Priorities, Federal Laws and Regulations, Fitness, Fundraising, Genetics, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Machine Learning, Mentoring, Military, Multiplatform/Cross-Platform, Multitasking, Nonprofit, Nursing, Organizational Skills, People Management, Performance Management, Performance Reviews, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Program Evaluation, Resource Management, Set Goals, State Laws and Regulations, Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Tactical Communications, Team Player, Training/Teaching, User Interface/Experience (UI/UX), Volunteer Management, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Milwaukee, WI
POSTED
Today
MSOE is seeking a Director of Alumni Relations to lead and elevate our alumni engagement strategy. In this influential role, you'll shape how thousands of alumni connect with MSOE - guiding innovative programs and signature events, inspiring volunteer leadership, forging strategic partnerships, and fostering pride and philanthropy across every stage of the alumni journey.

If you're passionate about creating impactful experiences and driving initiatives that foster lifelong engagement, pride, and support for MSOE's mission, this is your opportunity to make a lastingdifference.

Who We Are
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is an academic institution intrinsically tied to the real world - a confluence of industry knowledge, work ethic and an enduring desire to know more. The university offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees in engineering, computer science, machine learning, user experience, construction management, actuarial science, business and nursing. With about 3,000 students, faculty and staff, MSOE is large enough for big opportunities and small enough for personal attention.

A Small University Dedicated to Achieving Big Things
MSOE is a supportive environment where everyone is valued. Our method of learning by doing is our distinction: it is how we teach, how we learn and how we serve. MSOE's top priority is serving our students. By joining our community, you are building the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Mission
MSOE is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. We are united by our six values - collaboration, excellence, inclusion, innovation, integrity and stewardship - which represent the core of our campus culture. MSOE has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan, Extraordinary Together, that propels the institution forward. At MSOE, we are dedicated to promoting an academic environment marked by an unwavering respect for every individual.

Our Leadership
MSOE is under the leadership of Dr. Eric Baumgartner. He began his Presidency in January 2026 after having served as the Executive Vice President of Academics at MSOE since 2017.

Summary
MSOE invites applications for a full-time Director of Alumni Relations to join our University Advancement team! The Director of Alumni Relations provides strategic leadership and oversight for all alumni engagement efforts at MSOE. This role is responsible for setting the vision, priorities, and long-term strategy for alumni engagement across programs, communications, events, volunteer leadership, and student-to-alumni pathways.Reporting to the Senior Director of University Advancement Marketing and Engagement, the Director serves as the primary architect of the alumni engagement strategy and ensures alignment with university advancement goals, institutional priorities, and campaign readiness. The Director supervises alumni relations staff, including the Associate Director of Alumni Relations, and collaborates with advancement and campus partners to strengthen lifelong relationships between alumni and the university.

Essential Job Functions
Alumni Engagement Strategy and Leadership
  • Develop and lead a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with University Advancement goals and institutional priorities including responsible oversight of Alumni Relations budget.
  • Establish strategic priorities, success measures, and engagement pathways across the alumni lifecycle.
  • Evaluate alumni engagement outcomes and use data and best practices to drive continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Director of University Advancement Marketing and Engagement to ensure there is a coordinated effort to promote alumni stories and alumni relations programs strategically across platforms.
  • Participate in developing tactical and strategic communication plans for the Office of University Advancement.
Alumni Relations Strategy and Engagement
  • Provide oversight for all major alumni events including Summer in the City annual reunion, Oktoberfest, President's golf outing, Alumni Awards, MSOE Wall of Distinction and regional/national receptions.
  • Establish strategic expectations and provide guidance to primary staff leads responsible for the planning and execution of major alumni events as well as affinity groups and regional chapters, ensuring consistency, relevance, and alignment with MSOE priorities while allowing for audience-specific programming.
  • Serve as primary staff lead for Summer in the City, Alumni Awards and MSOE Wall of Distinction programs, engaging associate director of alumni relations and assistant director of engagement as key partners and execution support.
  • Serve as primary staff lead for W. Wallace Cannon Jr. Society with support from associate director of alumni relations.
  • Provide strategic direction for student-to-alumni engagement initiatives that support long-term involvement and philanthropy and support the Associate Director of Alumni Relations in their management of the Student Alumni Board.
  • Collaborate with campus partners to embed alumni engagement into the student experience.
  • Directly supervise alumni relations staff, including the Associate Director of Alumni Relations.
  • Set priorities and assignments, evaluate performance, and support professional development.
  • Make final decisions or delegate regarding alumni engagement strategy, program priorities, volunteer structures, and resource allocation within the alumni function.
  • Ensure alumni events align with institutional goals and enhance alumni engagement including evaluation of events and programs.
Alumni Association Board & Volunteer Leadership
  • Serve as the primary staff lead for the Alumni Association Board, including governance, recruitment, board development, and strategic direction.
  • Maintain effective board relations to ensure that board members are active participants in the design and implementation of alumni programs and advisors to the Director and staff.
  • Manage quarterly Alumni Association Board meetings.
  • Ensure board bylaws, structure, and expectations remain current and aligned with MSOE priorities.
  • Set expectations and structure for alumni volunteer leadership, ensuring alignment with MSOE priorities and values.
Participate as a Member of the Office of University Advancement
  • Attend all department meetings as required.
  • Attend and assist with Advancement and Alumni Events during both working hours and occasional weekends, as necessary.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • A minimum of three (3) years of alumni relations, engagement programming, or related experience.
  • Higher education, development/fundraising and/or nonprofit experience is beneficial but not required.
  • Experience managing volunteers and supervising staff.
Skills and Abilities
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage effectively with alumni, volunteers, donors, students, faculty, staff, and senior university leadership.
  • Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff; set priorities; manage performance; and foster a collaborative, service-oriented team culture.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to articulate institutional priorities, represent the university professionally, and tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
  • Strong leadership, communication, organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish long-term goals, and ensure alignment with University Advancement objectives.
  • Ability to apply sound judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills in addressing complex constituent and organizational issues.
  • Demonstrated success in constituent program development, volunteer leadership engagement, and event oversight.
  • Ability to analyze engagement data, assess program effectiveness, and use results to inform strategy and decision-making.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, including flexibility to attend evening and weekend events as required.
  • Commitment to customer service, teamwork, ethics, and upholding the mission and values of Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Physical Demands
  • While performing the duties of this job the employee is largely sedentary, the ability to move is required. The employee is occasionally required to traverse within their work area as well as other areas on campus.
  • Ascending and descending of stairs (building that does not contain an elevator).
Why Join MSOE?
At MSOE, we invest in our employees' professional and personal growth. MSOE offers competitive, fully comprehensive benefit plans to all full-time employees including medical, dental, life, disability and vision insurance, 13 paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and paid parental leave, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan with company matching of up to 6% of employee earnings and immediate vesting. Educational benefits are available for employees and family members. Plus, employees have access to our state-of-the-art fitness center at no charge. Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, MSOE is just blocks away from the beautiful lakefront, the theater district, museums, sports and music venues, parks and shopping. To view more detailed information about MSOE, please visit www.msoe.edu/hr.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

It is the policy of MSOE to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, marital status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all jobs at the University and to all the terms, benefits, and conditions of employment/enrollment.

Job Code: 222

About the Company

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Milwaukee School of Engineering