Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement

Job Title Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement
Job Description
Position Overview
Sarah Lawrence College seeks an accomplished, strategic, and collaborative Senior Director of Alumni Engagement to lead a comprehensive program that connects alumni to one another, to students and faculty, and to the College. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement & External Affairs the Senior Director will set alumni engagement strategy, lead a team responsible for regional and special programs, reunion, networking, affinity communities, and alumni volunteer initiatives, and serve as the primary staff leader for the Alumni Council.

As Sarah Lawrence celebrates its Centennial and looks toward its next century, the Senior Director will deepen lifelong alumni relationships, expand meaningful opportunities for participation, and work closely with major gift and annual giving colleagues to strengthen the College’s broader advancement goals.
Essential Duties Summary
Key Responsibilities — Strategy and Leadership
Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with institutional and Centennial priorities, with clear annual goals, budgets, and performance measures.
Oversee the alumni relations team, including regional and special programming, regional chapters, networking and affinity initiatives, and alumni coordination.
Build a coordinated calendar of alumni engagement opportunities, balancing in-person, virtual, regional, and campus-based programming.
Oversee program budgets, resource allocation, vendors, and assessment of program effectiveness.
Serve as a strategic partner to the Vice President and College leadership on alumni engagement and alumni-facing institutional initiatives.

Alumni Council and Volunteer Leadership
Serve as the primary Advancement liaison to the Alumni Council, guiding its overall strategy, priorities, membership engagement, and coordination across subcommittees.
Develop a coherent alumni volunteer strategy encompassing regional chapters, Reunion/class volunteers, affinity communities, mentoring, and other opportunities for service.
Identify, recruit, cultivate, and recognize alumni volunteer leaders; strengthen pathways for new and re-engaged volunteers.

Programs, Communities, and Communications
Provide strategic direction for Reunion, regional and special events, Faculty on the Road/Faculty at Home, alumni networking, affinity programs, and alumni-student career connections; program staff lead execution.
Partner with Career Services, faculty, academic leadership, and other campus colleagues to create substantive alumni engagement opportunities.
Lead the overall alumni communications strategy, including audience segmentation, relevant messaging, and outreach that encourages meaningful participation.
Expand engagement among alumni across generations and geographies, including recent graduates and alumni not currently connected to the College.
Collaborate with the Annual Giving team on alumni engagement surrounding Giving Day, Reunion giving, and other fundraising initiatives while maintaining clear functional accountability.

Advancement Partnership
Partner with the Associate Vice President of Philanthropy and Major Gifts colleagues to identify engaged alumni with philanthropic potential and establish a consistent process for prospect referrals and follow-up.
Coordinate closely with the Director of Annual Giving to connect alumni participation with donor acquisition, retention, and long-term engagement.
Work with Advancement Operations & Data Analytics to establish and track engagement metrics, including alumni participation, volunteer activity, re-engagement, and qualified referrals to philanthropy.
Ensure timely and accurate recording of alumni participation and interactions in the College’s advancement systems.
Provide briefings, analysis, and alumni engagement support for the President, Vice President, and other College leaders.
Required Qualifications
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Significant experience in alumni relations, constituent engagement and volunteer management in higher education.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, develop strategy, manage budgets, and deliver complex programs and events.
Experience supporting volunteer boards or councils and building relationships with diverse constituencies.
Excellent judgment, relationship-building skills, writing, and public communication skills.
Ability to use data and constituent management systems to evaluate engagement and guide strategy. Blackbaud and Give Campus experience preferred.
Commitment to collaboration across Advancement, External Relations, and academic and student-facing offices; availability for occasional evening/weekend events and travel.