Job Description:Lead engagement for a community of 76,000 alumni and help shape the future of SUNY Oneonta. As the
Director of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Alumni Association, you will provide strategic leadership for alumni communications, programs, and events while overseeing initiatives that strengthen lifelong connections to the university. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with more than 100 alumni volunteers, and advance institutional priorities through meaningful relationship-building, mentoring the next generation of student leaders, and volunteer engagement.
Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the SUNY Oneonta Foundation, the successful candidate will join a collaborative leadership team dedicated to fostering engagement, philanthropy, and pride across the SUNY Oneonta community.
To learn more about the University and the department, please visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/ or https://suny.oneontaalumni.com/.
Duties May Include: Alumni Engagement - Developing and sustaining relationships with alumni at the local, regional, and national levels.
- Planning and executing alumni programs and events that promote engagement, pride, and lifelong connections to SUNY Oneonta, including Alumni Weekend, Alumni of Distinction, regional gatherings, affinity programs, and alumni-student networking opportunities.
- Promoting student awareness of alumni resources and encouraging student participation in engagement activities and networking programs.
Communications & Marketing - Serving as Managing Editor of Reflections, the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association magazine.
- Directing alumni communications across digital, print, email, and web platforms.
- Coordinating alumni and advancement messaging and providing updates to the Alumni Association Board of Directors and alumni community.
Data Management & Operations- Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of alumni records and constituent data.
- Maximizing the effective use of Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and other constituent relationship management systems.
- Maintaining and enhancing alumni biographical, contact, and career information through surveys, outreach, and data collection initiatives.
- Evaluating processes and conducting operational analyses to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Leadership & Administration - Supervising four professional staff members, two administrative assistants, and student employees.
- Administering alumni recognition programs, including nomination processes, committee coordination, and event execution.
- Recruiting, supporting, and engaging alumni volunteers and ambassadors.
- Overseeing budgets, contracts, financial management, and strategic planning for alumni engagement and association operations.
Alumni Association Board Relations - Fostering effective partnerships between the Alumni Association Board and the university community.
- Coordinating board and committee meetings, including agenda development, reporting, and follow-up.
- Leading board member recruitment, onboarding, and development efforts.
- Supporting collaboration between the Alumni Association Board and the SUNY Oneonta Foundation.
Salary: $95,000 - $100,000 commensurate with experience. SUNY Oneonta is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer. Information on SUNY's comprehensive benefits offerings can be found at https://www.suny.edu/benefits. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Requirements:Minimum Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree.
- Experience in Alumni Relations, Advancement, or a related field.
- Leadership experience in supervising, developing, and/or evaluating staff.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategic initiatives, programs, and/or engagement activities.
- Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Additional Qualifications: - Experience managing data, ensuring record accuracy, and generating reports.
- Experience coordinating events or facilitating meetings.
Preferred Qualifications: - Master's degree.
- Five years of experience in Alumni Relations, University Advancement, Donor Relations, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in volunteer management, board relations, stakeholder engagement, and event or program leadership.
- Experience working with alumni engagement platforms, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, CRM systems, or other related database management platforms.
- Experience working with and serving diverse populations.
Additional Information:SUNY Oneonta enrolls about 5,500 students who pursue bachelor's or master's degrees or certificates in one of 70-plus academic programs. Known as an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, SUNY Oneonta is a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially, and live purposefully.
The university is located in the City of Oneonta, nestled in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains about a four-hour drive from New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. With a population just shy of 14,000, Oneonta is one of the 20 Most Picturesque Small Towns in America, according to Microsoft News. The natural beauty of the region is breathtaking year-round. Each season offers outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating, swimming, and skiing. Employees give SUNY Oneonta high marks for work/life balance, management, and culture. The university's indeed.com rating is 4.4, with one recent review noting that the people are what make SUNY Oneonta so special.
Application Instructions:To apply online go to: https://oneonta.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=205598#pageTop. Please upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references (required).
For other employment and regional opportunities, please visit our website at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/about-oneonta/employment.
