Director of Alumni Engagement

Position Effort

Full-Time

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Position Summary

The Director of Alumni Engagement provides strategic leadership for alumni engagement initiatives that strengthen lifelong relationships between SUNY Cortland and its alumni while advancing institutional priorities and generating philanthropic support. Serving as the Executive Director of the Cortland Alumni Association, the Director develops and implements a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that fosters pride, volunteerism, advocacy, mentorship, networking, and meaningful connections among alumni, students, parents, and friends of the university. The Director leads programs and partnerships that increase alumni participation, engagement, and support while enhancing the university’s mission, reputation, and long-term advancement goals.

What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.

• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.

• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.

• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.

• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings

Major Responsibilities

• Alumni Engagement Strategy & LeadershipDevelop and execute a strategic alumni engagement plan aligned with the university’s mission and institutional advancement priorities and goals. Articulate a clear vision for alumni engagement operations, establish departmental objectives and performance goals, and foster a shared sense of purpose among staff.
• Analyze alumni participation data, engagement trends, and performance metrics to assess program effectiveness, measure progress toward goals, identify opportunities for growth, and inform strategic decision making.
• Provide leadership and day-to-day management of the Alumni Engagement team by assigning and adjusting responsibilities based on staff roles, priorities, and organizational needs. Plan, organize, and monitor work progress to ensure successful achievement of departmental goals and initiatives.
• Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate staff. Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, complete performance programs and evaluations in a timely manner, and support employee growth through training and professional development opportunities.
• Create innovative programs and initiatives that increase alumni participation, affinity, regional and volunteer involvement.
• Strengthening alumni connections through regional programming, reunions, affinity groups, career networking, mentorship opportunities, and digital engagement.
• Ensure staff compliance with university policies, procedures, and applicable state and federal regulations by monitoring and confirming completion of required training and professional obligations.
• Serve as a liaison between staff and senior university leadership by communicating departmental priorities, initiatives, and institutional updates. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, facilitate effective communication, and address workplace concerns to support employee engagement and team effectiveness.
• Alumni Association ManagementServe as Executive Director and primary liaison to the Alumni Association Board and its committees.
• Support board development, governance, strategic planning, meeting management, and volunteer leadership cultivation.
• Ensure alignment between the Alumni Association, Institutional Advancement and university priorities.
• Oversee implementation of Alumni Association initiatives, awards, communications, and flagship events.
• Recruit, engage, and steward Alumni Association Board members and volunteers to advance alumni engagement, advocacy, and philanthropic goals.
• Develop and monitor goals, outcomes, and performance measures for Alumni Association programs and initiatives to assess effectiveness and inform future planning.
• Advancement & Fundraising CollaborationPartner closely with development staff to strengthen the alumni donor pipeline and increase philanthropic engagement.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward alumni volunteers and prospective donors.
• Support advancement campaigns and fundraising initiatives through alumni outreach and engagement efforts.
• Provide alumni engagement data, participation trends, and relationship insights to support donor cultivation and stewardship strategies.
• Communications & MarketingCollaborate with marketing and communications to develop compelling alumni communications across print (Columns), digital (Red Dragon Tales), and social platforms.
• Promote alumni achievements, campus updates, and engagement opportunities.
• Enhance alumni storytelling and brand affinity.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications staff on strategies that increase alumni participation, strengthen affinity, and support engagement and fundraising objectives.
• Student & Campus EngagementDevelop programs that connect current students with alumni through mentorship, career readiness, networking, and traditions.
• Partner with Enrollment Management to engage alumni in prospective student and family outreach efforts, including admissions events, student panels, and ambassador programs that strengthen recruitment and enhance the SUNY Cortland experience for future students and their families.
• Collaborate with campus partners to expand meaningful opportunities for alumni and student engagement.
• Budget & OperationsEstablish, monitor, and evaluate key performance indicators for alumni engagement programs and initiatives, utilizing data and analytics to inform strategy, improve effectiveness, and demonstrate outcomes.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources responsibly and effectively.
• Maintain fiscal responsibility of the Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House.
• Ensure effective use of alumni database and engagement technologies.
• Functional and Supervisory RelationshipsReports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
• Supervises three direct reports and provides oversight of alumni engagement staff members.
• Works closely with the Associate Director of Campus Event Management in overseeing the operations of the Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House.
• Works closely with Advancement Information Services, Advancement Financial Services, Annual Giving, Development, Career Services and the President’s Office.
• Works closely with the executive team (volunteers) of the Cortland College Alumni Association Board.
• Required QualificationsBachelor’s degree.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations, advancement, higher education, nonprofit leadership, constituent engagement, or related field.
• Experience leading, supervising, developing, and evaluating staff.
• Demonstrated experience in volunteer management, board relations, stakeholder engagement, and event or program leadership.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives, programs, or engagement activities that support organizational goals.
• Experience building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse internal and external constituents.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Preferred QualificationsMaster’s degree.
• Experience working with alumni associations, advisory boards, or volunteer governing boards.
• Experience in higher education advancement, alumni relations, or fundraising environments.
• Experience utilizing alumni engagement platforms, constituent relationship management ( CRM ) systems, and data analytics to inform engagement strategies and decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesAbility to develop and implement strategic alumni engagement initiatives aligned with institutional and advancement priorities.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage alumni, volunteers, donors, students, and campus partners.
• Demonstrated leadership, staff supervision, coaching, and team development skills.
• Strong project management, organizational, and event planning abilities.
• Effective written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to analyze engagement data and metrics to evaluate outcomes and inform decision-making.
• Knowledge of alumni relations, volunteer management, and advancement best practices.
• Ability to collaborate across diverse constituencies while exercising sound judgment and professionalism.

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNY Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,” fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

EEO Statement

The State University of New York at Cortland is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act (AA/ EEO / ADA ) employer. The university actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the university.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

S26035

Review Start Date

10/01/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/11693

Special Instructions

Special Instructions to Applicant

Special Instructions to Applicant

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a bachelor's degree?

• Yes
• No

1. * Are you currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis as visa sponsorship is not available for this position?

• Yes
• No

1. * Do you or will you need visa sponsorship?

• Yes
• No

1. Are you currently employed by SUNY Cortland? If so, please indicate what type of employee.

• UUP Professional
• UUP Faculty
• Management Confidential
• Research Foundation
• Represented by CSEA, PBANYS or PEF
• Full Time Lecturer

Documents Needed to Apply

1. Required DocumentsCurriculum Vitae or Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents