Director of Alumni Relations

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
PG195029EP

Internal Recruitment
No

Working Title
Director of Alumni Relations

Anticipated Hiring Range
$80,000 - $90,000, commensurate with experience

Work Schedule
8am - 5pm; Monday through Friday (with evening and weekend availability, as needed)

Job Location
Raleigh, NC

Department
College Of Veterinary Medicine

About the Department

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation, Inc. advances the mission of the College of Veterinary Medicine by strengthening educational programs, supporting distinguished faculty, promoting research, and fostering meaningful partnerships with alumni and friends. Through strategic communications and development efforts, the Foundation works to expand private support and deepen engagement with the CVM community.

Essential Job Duties

The Director of Alumni Relations provides strategic leadership and oversees all alumni engagement efforts within the College of Veterinary Medicine. This position is responsible for fostering meaningful, lifelong connections between the College and its alumni community, increasing alumni involvement, advancing institutional goals, and promoting philanthropic support.

The Director works closely with college leadership, faculty, development teams, and external stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive alumni relations program that boosts engagement, supports student success, and helps the College grow its reputation and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities:

Alumni Engagement, Events & Volunteer Programs

• Cultivate strong relationships with alumni across all career stages, including recent graduates, mid-career professionals, and distinguished alumni
• Design and deliver high-impact engagement opportunities, including events, programs, and volunteer initiatives
• Partner with faculty and leadership to strengthen alumni connections to academic programs and student experiences
• Oversee the planning and execution of alumni events, including reunions, regional gatherings, continuing education programs, and signature college events
• Ensure events are aligned with strategic priorities and deliver meaningful value to participants
• Leverage both in-person and virtual formats to expand reach and accessibility
• Develop and manage alumni volunteer programs, advisory boards, and ambassador networks
• Engage alumni leaders in meaningful roles that support student mentorship, career development, and institutional advancement

Strategic Leadership, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and lead a comprehensive alumni relations strategy aligned with the College's mission, vision, and fundraising priorities
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and benchmarks for alumni engagement, participation, and impact
• Identify and implement innovative approaches to engage a varied and global alumni base
• Utilize data and analytics to inform strategy, track engagement, and measure outcomes
• Maintain accurate alumni records in partnership with advancement services
• Continuously assess and refine programs to improve effectiveness and impact

Development & Strategic Communications

• Partner closely with development teams to support donor pipeline development and stewardship efforts
• Identify, qualify, and help cultivate alumni with philanthropic potential
• Integrate alumni engagement strategies with fundraising campaigns and initiatives
• Collaborate with communications teams to develop targeted alumni messaging and storytelling strategies
• Oversee alumni communications including newsletters, digital engagement, and social platforms
• Ensure consistent, compelling, and brand-aligned communication with alumni audiences

Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout North Carolina, with occasional out of state travel as needed to engage donors and prospects.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends to support donor cultivation events and advancement activities.

Other Responsibilities

• Additional Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications

• Proven ability to build effective relationships with faculty, administrators, volunteers, and advancement colleagues within a large, complex research university or comparable organization.
• Strong leadership and team collaboration skills, with the ability to guide and support advancement staff while contributing to a positive, team oriented culture.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Self motivated and proactive, with the ability to take initiative and advance fundraising opportunities independently.
• Solution oriented mindset with strong judgment and the ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism and discretion.
• High level of computer literacy and familiarity with advancement databases and fundraising tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred; 3-5 years of experience in direct alumni relations and/or 5-7 years of experience in advancement, development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in building and executing strategic engagement programs
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage varied stakeholders
• Experience working in higher education, academic medicine, or veterinary medicine
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with senior leadership
• Experience leveraging CRM systems and engagement analytics

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

• A valid North Carolina driver's license is required within 60 days of the start date and must be maintained as a condition of employment.
  
  Regular local travel and some regional/out-of-state travel are required for this position.

Valid NC Driver's License required
Yes

Commercial Driver's License required
No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date
11/09/2026

Anticipated Close Date
Open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for at least three professional references.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Details

Position Number
00112444

Position Type
EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.0

Appointment
12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID
190101 - College Of Veterinary Medicine