UTHealth Houston

Executive Director, Alumni Engagement

UTHealth Houston$100K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field required; Master's Degree preferred
  • 7+ years in alumni engagement/events in higher education or non-profit
  • 2+ years of management experience
  • Proficiency in developing engagement strategies and metrics
  • Experience in budget oversight and resource management

Responsibilities

  • Design and lead a university-wide alumni engagement strategy
  • Advise campus leadership on trends and best practices
  • Oversee budget and resource management for alumni initiatives
  • Develop strategic plans for alumni engagement aligned with institutional goals
  • Create and manage the Alumni Association Board of Directors
  • Collaborate with fundraising teams on alumni-focused solicitations
  • Travel and work flexible hours to support strategic goals

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Strong support for work-life balance
  • Opportunity to shape alumni engagement at a prominent university
Full Job Description
Executive Director, Alumni Engagement

Position Summary:

The Executive Director, Alumni Engagement, as a member of the Development and Public Affairs leadership team, provides vision, leadership, and oversight of a comprehensive, centrally coordinated, university-wide alumni engagement program. This role leads the development of a cohesive engagement strategy across UTHealth Houston's seven academic schools and programs, advancing lifelong relationships with alumni, parents/family, and students. Serving as the university's senior alumni engagement expert, the Executive Director partners with school leadership, faculty, and staff to align engagement initiatives with institutional priorities and philanthropic goals. This position builds and applies data-informed engagement metrics to strengthen the alumni donor pipeline and expand participation through integrated communication, volunteerism, experiential learning and philanthropy.

Position Key Accountabilities:
  • Designs, develops, and leads the overall strategy, priorities, and goals for the long-term expansion of the university's alumni engagement program. Leads and drives the centralized university-wide strategy for integrated, comprehensive initiatives tailored for alumni, parents/family, and students. Establishes institution-wide engagement standards, reporting expectations, and annual goals for all seven schools.
  • Serves as UTHealth Houston's senior alumni engagement expert, advising campus leadership on national trends, best practices, and emerging models in alumni engagement and alumni giving. Develops and maintains peer relationships nationally to benchmark performance and introduce innovative approaches that increase alumni participation and giving. Provides guidance and training to school-based engagement staff or liaisons to ensure alignment with institutional strategy.
  • Provides budgetary oversight and governance to ensure appropriate management of resources by responsible leaders, in alignment with institutional policies.
  • In partnership with university leadership, develops and participates in strategic planning to advance institutional priorities, alumni engagement outcomes and philanthropic growth. Translates institutional priorities into coordinated, school-specific alumni engagement plans aligned with university-wide goals.
  • In partnership with Development and Public Affairs leadership, guides the development of brand-aligned engagement and messaging strategies that support philanthropic growth, with a focus on increasing alumni participation, giving, and pipeline development. Ensures integrated and consistent alumni-facing communications across all schools.
  • Provides strategic leadership for the creation, development, and ongoing management of a university-wide Alumni Association Board of Directors. Establishes board purpose, structure, governance, and membership to ensure effective representation of UTHealth Houston's alumni population. Engages alumni leaders to support institutional priorities, expand volunteer leadership, and strengthen alumni engagement and advocacy.
  • Works closely with the fundraising teams to provide strategic recommendations for alumni-focused solicitations, including annual giving, direct mail, digital, and leadership giving strategies. Collaborates across the department to gain strong participation in alumni giving at the university. Expands existing programs to re-engage alumni and donors and strengthen philanthropic support from families and friends through targeted outreach and relationship-building.
  • Ability to travel, staff events, and work evenings and weekends as needed to accomplish strategic goals.
  • Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
  • Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.


Minimum Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field required Master's Degree preferred

Minimum Experience:
  • 7 years of progressively responsible experience leading alumni engagement and events in higher education, academic healthcare or other non-profit setting required.
  • 2 years of management experience required

Physical Requirements:
  • Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Residency Requirement:
  • Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.

About UTHealth Houston

UTHealth Houston includes the schools of dentistry, biomedical informatics, medicine, nursing, public health, and the graduate school of biomedical sciences. UTHealth Houston is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificates, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

UTHealth Houston Careers

Joining UTHealth Houston offers an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a dynamic team of professionals dedicated to furthering the future of healthcare. UTHealth Houston stands out as a leader in medical education, research, and clinical service, both locally and globally.

Explore Job Opportunities

UTHealth Houston is constantly seeking talented individuals who are eager to contribute to cutting-edge medical research and superior patient care. With a variety of job opportunities available, candidates can find positions that match their skills and passions. Explore the current openings and find where professional expertise meets innovation in healthcare.

Experience Professional Growth and Development

UTHealth Houston is committed to fostering leadership and professional growth. The institution supports career advancement through robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training. Employees are encouraged to further their professional education and skills, ensuring continuous personal and professional development.

Engage in Meaningful Work

Every team member at UTHealth Houston contributes to a culture of innovation and excellence. The work done here leads to significant advancements in healthcare, impacting patient lives worldwide. Employees at UTHealth Houston are not just part of a team but are part of a movement towards better health solutions.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career, UTHealth Houston offers internship programs that provide invaluable industry experience and networking opportunities. Internships are designed to develop skills and provide insights into various aspects of healthcare operations, from clinical practice to healthcare management.

Benefits and Culture

UTHealth Houston values its employees and offers a competitive package of benefits designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of employees and their families. The culture at UTHealth Houston is one of collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, where every team member’s contribution is valued and celebrated.

Join the Team

UTHealth Houston is hiring! Search for positions that align with your career goals and apply today. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and prepare for an interview process that values insight, collaboration, and dedication to healthcare excellence.

Stay Connected with UTHealth Houston Careers

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Networking and Career Insights

UTHealth Houston encourages continuous networking and professional engagement, offering employees a platform to connect with industry leaders and innovators within the healthcare sector. These connections provide profound insights and further career opportunities within the field.

Empower Your Career with UTHealth Houston

Whether looking for a first job, seeking a leadership position, or aiming to specialize further, UTHealth Houston provides the resources and support to achieve career aspirations. Join UTHealth Houston and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference in healthcare through service, innovation, and leadership.
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