Departmental OverviewUniversity Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) strengthens Berkeley's excellence through engagement with alumni, parents, undergraduate and graduate students, and friends of the University, raising public awareness about Berkeley and increasing private philanthropy. UDAR provides overall direction for the campus philanthropic advancement strategies and works to strengthen unit development in partnership with campus fundraisers. The Division handles a range of central activities and services encompassing communications, stewardship, prospect development, data management, gift management, reporting and analytics, and more.
The UDAR Office of Alumni Relations coordinates a highly integrated, campus-wide engagement program that deepens UC Berkeley alumni involvement while embracing Cals fundraising priorities. We work closely with the Cal Alumni Association, Schools & Colleges, Career Engagement, Admissions, Athletics, Student Affairs, Equity & Inclusion, and other campus units.
Our mission is to inspire lifelong alumni engagement that advances UC Berkeleys positive impact on the world. Our vision is a vibrant and coordinated culture of alumni engagement across the UC Berkeley ecosystem.
Position SummaryThe
Associate Director, Alumni Platform Management & User Experience is a senior member of the Office of Alumni Relations team, reporting to the Director of Inclusive Alumni Engagement. This position serves as a key strategic partner charged with aligning resources and staff efforts across campus divisions and departments to plan, develop, and implement a clear set of engagement priorities as outlined in the campus-wide alumni engagement plan.
The Associate Director uses advanced concepts and university objectives to resolve highly complex issues related to the online connection, cultivation, and channeling of the more than 600,000 living graduates of UC Berkeley. This position is responsible for high-level risk mitigation, navigating politically sensitive content, and serving as a key spokesperson to safeguard the institution's public relationship with its external constituencies. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Associate Director acts as a recognized subject matter expert, providing oversight and direct management of the My Berkeley Alumni Portal to deepen alumni affinity by expanding professional mentorship networks and inspiring the highest level of institutional engagement and philanthropy.
Application Review DateThe First Review Date for this job is: August 28, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Risk Management - Design, develop, and implement short- and long-term strategic plans that evaluate the needs of an increasingly diverse alumni base, segmenting populations to maximize institutional impact.
- Quickly identify, address, and mitigate unforeseen and rapidly unfolding public relations issues or sensitive user content on digital platforms that may negatively impact relationships between the campus and its constituencies.
- Align digital outreach efforts with annual advancement initiatives to turn virtual interactions into measurable contributions, tracking outcomes against global engagement metrics (such as CASE guidelines).
Digital Platform & Vendor Administration - Serve as the chief project manager and technical administrator for the centralized alumni portal.
- Manage relationships and system upgrades with PeopleGrove as determined by the platform roadmap.
- Work closely with PeopleGrove to lay out the necessary technical infrastructure for new implementations.
Campus Integration & Program Ecosystems - Partner directly with Advancement Information Services, Marketing Communications, Annual Programs, Athletics, and up to 24+ distinct cross-campus units to consolidate disparate offerings into one cohesive gateway.
- Lead the strategic development, execution, and expansion of dedicated spaces for campus unit programs; supervise user queues and leverage features to maximize user adoption rates and enhance the overall user experience.
- Develop and refresh curated platform media, promote university initiatives (such as Chancellors Mentorship Month), share career guides, track job boards, and expand the visibility of My Berkeley.
Data Analytics, Communications, & Operations - Analyze, interpret, and upload user engagement metrics into the institutional CRM (URSA), delivering comprehensive biannual reports and performance dashboards to senior management.
- Partner with External Relations Marketing and Communications to craft email copy and promotional campaigns aimed at driving return user traffic, and design monthly newsletters to keep internal partners engaged. Pay particular attention to underrepresented alumni groups overlooked by traditional donor modeling, host quarterly office hours, and drive student and alumni acquisition on the platform.
- Direct, mentor, and supervise student interns, overseeing their daily workload and fostering their professional growth.
- Represent the Office of Alumni Relations at key events, including Homecoming, graduations, and various tabling opportunities.
Required Qualifications- Minimum of three years of experience applying advanced knowledge of issues that may concern a large higher education institution or large complex organization.
- Minimum of three years applying advanced project management skills, including skills to plan and implement complex technical projects with competing priorities and multiple stakeholders across the organization.
- Demonstrate advanced management and marketing skills sufficient to grow and maintain the user base of the alumni portal.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of practices and procedures associated with building and maintaining effective working relationships with all organizational constituents both internal and external.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including skill to produce information and marketing materials that are appropriately presented and effectively received by target constituencies.
- Active listening skills, including advanced critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Demonstrate ability to identify potential areas of concern and address, resolve and / or mitigate problems or issues.
- Advanced proficiency with digital communication channels, and institutional CRM databases and/or the ability to learn.
Preferred Qualifications- Minimum of three years of experience demonstrating advanced knowledge of a university campus, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, issues of concern and infrastructure and/or the ability to learn.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of current marketing best practices for higher education and / or a large complex institution.
- Proven track record of leading projects simultaneously, establishing growth targets, tracking budget allocations, and pivoting strategies based on data findings.
Education / Training- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Preferred)
Salary & BenefitsFor information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000 - $110,000.
- This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
- This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.
How to ApplyTo apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information- This position is eligible for up to 85% remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
- This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.