Eastern Michigan University · 3 weeks ago
Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
Ypsilanti, MI
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$60K/yr - $70K/yr
3+ years expEastern Michigan University is a higher education institution seeking an Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement to enhance connections with its global alumni network. This role involves planning and executing alumni and donor engagement events, collaborating with various stakeholders, and managing event logistics to support fundraising goals.
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Responsibilities
Lead the planning, execution, and communications for alumni and donor events, from small gatherings to large-scale events. This includes EMU Alumni & Friends Homecoming Tailgate, affinity-based alumni programming, EMU Alumni Awards ceremony, and curated donor experiences
Collaborate with internal and external partners to design, coordinate, and manage all event logistics for in-person and virtual events, including site selection, catering, A/V and technical support, transportation, speakers/entertainment, itineraries, RSVP tracking, participant correspondence, staffing and volunteer coordination, event setup, and cleanup
In partnership with the AVP for Alumni Engagement, develop, implement, and document consistent event-planning processes, including templates and briefs, to support efficient planning and execution of alumni and donor events
Upkeep the master EMUF events calendar to ensure coordination across teams, alignment with institutional priorities, and effective planning of alumni-focused events hosted by EMUF, including consultative support for campus partners engaging alumni in their programming
Design and execute customized cultivation and stewardship events in collaboration with the Advancement team to enhance donor engagement and advance fundraising goals
Coordinate with internal partners to ensure consistent messaging and a seamless participant experience before, during, and after events
Track event outcomes and provide insights to inform continuous improvement and future planning
Serve as the alumni engagement liaison to assigned campus partners
Partner with academic leadership and advancement colleagues to align alumni engagement opportunities with college-specific initiatives and goals
Support college-based programming, communications, and volunteer management to enhance alumni affinity and philanthropic support
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in event planning, alumni engagement, hospitality, or Advancement work
Demonstrated experience managing complex events and multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality and professionalism
Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Preferred
Experience working in higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments
Familiarity with CRM databases and event management/communication software
Knowledge of branding and marketing principles related to donor and alumni engagement
This position operates in a dynamic environment with fluctuating workloads tied to the academic calendar and event schedules. The Assistant Director must be adaptable, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing time-sensitive priorities while delivering exceptional experiences for alumni and donors
Benefits
Health, dental, and life insurance
A retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution
An outstanding vacation and time off policy
A tuition waiver program
And more
Company
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Eastern Michigan University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2024 (3)
2023 (8)
2022 (4)
2021 (7)
2020 (11)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.73MKey Investors
The Toyota Way Forward FundNational Science FoundationNational Institutes of Health
2025-05-16Grant· $1.02M
2022-12-07Grant· $0.27M
2022-02-01Grant· $0.45M
Leadership Team
Laura Wilbanks
Chief Financial Officer
Brett Last
Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Recent News
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