Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Director of Alumni Engagement in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's advancement efforts.

Position Summary

The Director of Alumni Engagement serves as a key member of a newly formed "pod" staff structure, supporting the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, The ILR School, and the Library within Cornell's Alumni Affairs and Development division. Reporting to the Pod Leader and the Executive Director for Alumni Affairs, the Director for Alumni Engagement serves as a strategic leader and partner responsible for building and sustaining meaningful relationships with alumni, driving engagement programs and events, and connecting alumni interests with university priorities. This individual will design and execute high-impact engagement strategies that strengthen lifelong alumni relationships and support the university's broader engagement and fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive alumni engagement strategies for an assigned constituency, aligning activities with the pod's and division's strategic priorities.
• Cultivate and manage alumni volunteers and leaders, providing guidance and support to strengthen their connection to and involvement with the university.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute alumni events, programs, and volunteer initiatives, both in-person and virtual, that foster meaningful engagement and community-building.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in development, communications, and academic units to identify engagement opportunities that support pipeline development for philanthropic giving.
• Track, analyze, and report on engagement metrics and program outcomes, using data to refine strategies and demonstrate impact to university leadership.
• Represent the university at alumni gatherings, regional events, and volunteer meetings, serving as an ambassador for the institution's mission and values.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated success developing and delivering high-impact alumni engagement programs and events.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with diverse constituents, including alumni volunteers and donors.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully planning and executing events and programs from concept through completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences, including senior leadership, faculty, and volunteers.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments in a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends to support alumni events and programs.

Work Location

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:
Alumni Engagement Ofcr III

Job Family:
Alumni Affairs Development

Level:
G

Pay Rate Type:
Salary

Pay Range:
$82,735.00 - $100,298.00

Remote Option Availability:
Hybrid

Company:
Endowed

Contact Name:
Rachel Colunio

Contact Email:


Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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