Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$95,000–$114,000 Per Year

SKILLS

Alumni Relations, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Corporate Communications, Corporate Funding, Corporate Planning, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems, Data Quality, Donor Development, Donor Program, Donor Relations, Driver's License, Entrepreneurship, Event Management, Faculty Administration, Funding, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Legal, Logistics, Marketing Communications, Mentoring, Microsoft Product Family, Military, Multitasking, Nonprofit, Onboarding, Organizational Skills, Plan Meetings, Project/Program Management, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Recreation, Relationship Management, Salesforce.com, Scorecarding, Social Media, Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Student Admissions, Team Player, Training/Teaching Curriculum, University/School Policies, Willing to Travel, Work From Home, Writing Skills

LOCATION

Syracuse, NY

POSTED

3 days ago

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
042812

Department Code
22401-2208

Department
Falk College

Job Title
Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

Location
Syracuse, NY

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Commitment to On-Campus Experience

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range
$95,000 - $114,000

Pay Determination

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate's education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university's strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level
S6

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am - 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Advancement, the Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement serves as the primary relationship manager for Falk College's external constituent communities, including alumni, parents, corporate partners, and industry leaders. This role is responsible for designing and executing an integrated engagement strategy that deepens alumni and parent connections to the College, builds mutually beneficial corporate relationships, and creates pathways that advance philanthropic support of Falk College's mission.

The Director provides strategic leadership for the Falk College Emerging Leaders Council (ELC), manages engagement events and programming, and works collaboratively with the development team to move prospects along the donor pipeline. The ideal candidate is a creative, entrepreneurial relationship-builder with strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in alumni relations, corporate engagement, development, or a related field, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit organization.
Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with diverse external constituencies including alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
Experience in event planning and execution, including regional and virtual programming.
Knowledge of the sport industry or higher education advancement is preferred.
Valid driver's license required.

Skills and Knowledge

Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to make a compelling case for philanthropic and corporate support.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Proficiency in CRM systems (experience with Salesforce/Affinaquest or Citrus preferred) and Microsoft 365 applications.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and with senior leadership, faculty, and external constituencies.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on goal achievement and continuous improvement.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
Willingness and availability to travel domestically (approximately 10-15%).

Responsibilities

Alumni & Parent Engagement:

Develop, implement, and manage an integrated alumni and parent engagement program aligned with the College's mission and strategic priorities.
Cultivate relationships with alumni and families through personal outreach, events, social media, and digital communications.
Strategize the transition of recent graduates into the alumni engagement pipeline and enhance mentorship opportunities.
Partner with Falk Marketing & Communications to develop alumni-facing content and promotional materials.
Collaborate with the Admissions and Student Success offices to expand alumni engagement in measurable ways.
Champion giving programs and supplement donor recognition and stewardship strategies in collaboration with the development team.
Contribute to engagement scorecard tracking and provide event analytics for debriefing.

Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) & Advisory Board Support:

Provide management, oversight, and strategic direction for the Falk College ELC, the College's young alumni board.
Lead recruitment, onboarding, meeting planning, and program development for the Council.
Serve as the ELC's primary liaison to college departments and leadership, coordinating opportunities for council members to engage with students, support admissions yield, and advance philanthropic initiatives.
In partnership with the Assistant Dean for Advancement, assist with the management of the Falk College of Sport Advisory Board, including supporting new member recruitment and onboarding.
Carry a portfolio of prospects including ELC members and Advisory Board members ensuring thoughtful stewardship, solicitation, and engagement strategies are developed and executed for each constituent.

Corporate Engagement:

Identify and cultivate corporate prospects capable of providing new levels of support for Falk College through sponsorship, philanthropy, curriculum support, in-kind contributions, and joint funding approaches.
Build and maintain relationships with key corporate partners in collaboration with the Assistant Dean for Advancement and the University's Office of Corporate Partnerships.
Communicate frequently with corporate contacts and move partners along a continuum of engagement.

Events:

Lead planning and execution of alumni, parent, and corporate engagement events, including on-campus gatherings, virtual programs, and high-quality regional events in major metropolitan areas.
Ensure seamless logistics, meaningful experiences, and alignment with institutional priorities.
Maintain accurate event data in Citrus and prepare guest lists for development team follow-up.

Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University's 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University's contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community

Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Quick Link

Job Posting Date
07/07/2026

Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff

Message to Applicants

About the Company

Syracuse University

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