Senior Director, Alumni ProgramsStatus: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer
Supervises: Team of 6 including assistant, associate, and senior associate directors
Position SummaryThe Senior Director of Alumni Programs leads the strategy, execution, and growth of the UVA Alumni Association's portfolio of alumni engagement programs - spanning signature events, affinity-based programming, and industry-based and career engagement programming. This role owns the vision and operational structure for how alumni connect with the University and with one another across the full arc of their lives, furthering the Alumni Association's mission to ignite lifelong engagement for all Hoos.
The Senior Director leads a diverse set of programmatic offerings, working with the Chief Strategy Officer to set program-level strategy and performance goals, manages program budgets, and serves as a key liaison to alumni leaders, University partners, and institutional leadership.
Key ResponsibilitiesProgram Strategy & Portfolio Leadership- Own the strategic vision, annual goals, and growth plan for the full Alumni Programs portfolio: Alumni Interest Groups (AIGs), Alumni Professional Networks (APNs), Alumni Career Engagement (ACE), Reunions, Young Alumni Reunions (YAR), Black Alumni Weekend (BAW), and Juntos.
- Set program priorities, engagement and attendance targets, and success metrics across all areas; adjust strategy in response to alumni data and participation trends.
- Manage departmental operating and revenue budgets across program areas, ensuring resources align with strategic priorities.
- Champion a consistent, brand-aligned alumni experience across the entire portfolio.
Signature Alumni Engagement Programming - Direct the planning and execution of large-scale signature experiences, including Reunions, Black Alumni Weekend, and Young Alumni Reunions, and Juntos.
- Ensure seamless event operations - registration strategy, timeline development, vendor coordination, volunteer management, and on-site execution.
- Drive programming innovation to grow attendance and deepen engagement across the alumni community, including historically underrepresented populations.
- Oversee volunteer recruitment, training, and stewardship for class committees and program volunteers.
Affinity, Professional & Career Engagement Programming- Lead Alumni Interest Groups (AIGs) program, supporting affinity and interest-based communities that connect alumni around shared UVA identities and experiences.
- Lead Alumni Professional Networks (APNs), industry-aligned communities of UVA alumni that foster networking and professional engagement.
- Lead Alumni Career Engagement (ACE), delivering career resources, mentorship, and professional development opportunities across the alumni lifecycle.
- Identify synergies across interest, professional, and career touchpoints.
Team Leadership & Supervision- Directly supervise a team of six across a variety of program areas; set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and support professional development for all direct reports.
- Allocate staff resources across program areas to balance workload and meet portfolio goals.
- Model and reinforce a collaborative, high-performing, mission-driven team culture.
Reporting & Organizational Coordination- Prepare and present program performance reports for senior leadership and board audiences.
- Serve as a key liaison to University schools, foundations, and institutional partners to align alumni engagement efforts.
- Coordinate with the Senior Director, Hospitality & Experiences to schedule and deliver signature alumni programming in Aggarwal Hall.
- Partner with Marketing, Development, and Data teams to support program promotion, segmentation, and engagement tracking.
Performance Expectations- Engagement, attendance, and revenue targets met or exceeded across the program portfolio.
- Signature events executed on schedule and within budget.
- Measurable growth in alumni participation across affinity, professional, and career programs.
- Program budgets managed within approved targets.
- Team performance goals met and direct report retention sustained.
- High-quality, brand-consistent alumni experience maintained across all program areas.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree required; a UVA degree or active knowledge of the University and its traditions is not a requirement, but is preferred.
- Minimum 7+ years of experience in alumni relations, engagement, events, or program management, including team leadership.
- Demonstrated track record leading large-scale events and/or multi-program portfolios with direct budget accountability.
- Experience supervising staff and managing volunteers.
- Strong strategic, organizational, and relationship-management skills.
Competencies- Program strategy and portfolio leadership
- Event strategy and execution
- Alumni and stakeholder relationship management
- Team leadership and performance development
- Budget and operational management
- Cross-functional collaboration and institutional coordination
Working Environment- Fast-paced environment with workload peaks tied to signature events, program cycles, and the academic calendar.
- Schedule includes evenings and weekends during major events such as Reunions, football weekends, and Black Alumni Weekend.
- On-site presence in Charlottesville expected during key events with hybrid 2+ days in the office during regular work periods in accordance with organizational policy.
