Syracuse University

Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

Syracuse University$95K — $114K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 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 nonprofit.
  • Experience in building relationships with diverse external constituencies including alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
  • Event planning and execution experience, including regional and virtual programming.
  • Knowledge of the sport industry or higher education advancement preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage an integrated alumni and parent engagement program.
  • Cultivate relationships with alumni and families through various outreach methods.
  • Strategize the transition of recent graduates into the alumni engagement pipeline.
  • Partner with marketing teams to develop alumni-focused content.
  • Collaborate with Admissions and Student Success offices to improve engagement.
  • Champion donor recognition and stewardship strategies with the development team.
  • Manage and provide strategic direction for the Emerging Leaders Council.

Benefits

  • Commitment to an exceptional on-campus experience and collaboration.
  • Opportunities for mentorship and engagement within the university community.
  • Dynamic work environment with the chance to influence student and alumni relations.
  • Involvement in events that strengthen alumni connections and corporate partnerships.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
042812

Department Code
22401-2208

Department
Falk College

Job Title
Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

Location
Syracuse, NY

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Commitment to On-Campus Experience

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range
$95,000 - $114,000

Pay Determination

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate's education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university's strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level
S6

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am - 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

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.

Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/113120

Job Posting Date
07/07/2026

Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff

Message to Applicants

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York. It was founded in 1870 and has since grown to become one of the largest universities in the United States. Syracuse University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields including business, engineering, law, and the arts. The university is known for its strong programs in communications, architecture, and social sciences. Syracuse University is committed to providing students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in their chosen careers.
Learn more about Syracuse University
Size
15,000 employees
Industry

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