Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement
FLSA Status: Exempt
Market Reference Range (MRR): 18
Months Per Year: 12
Employment Status: Full-Time
Work Model: Hybrid Eligible*
Seattle
University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic
universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate,
graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for
defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender,
gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic
class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status,
political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle
University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who
learn, live and work at Seattle University.
Seattle University's Core Competencies
Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.
Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.
Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.
Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making positive impact.
Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.
Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, purses excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.
Position Description
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
The Seattle University Advancement Division is committed to
creating an anti-racist environment that addresses and works to eliminate all
forms of inequities while celebrating different cultures. We seek a leader with knowledge and understanding
of the complex issues surrounding implicit bias and other systemic oppressions
with the goal of developing an equitable and inclusive work environment and
alumni community.
PURPOSE
Reporting
to the Vice President for University Advancement, the Assistant Vice President
of Alumni Engagement will provide leadership for alumni outreach efforts
designed to create awareness, involvement and support for Seattle University
among its more than 85,000 alumni. Alumni
and constituent engagement is critical to the long-term success of Seattle
University. This role is responsible for building and deepening lifelong
connections between alumni and the university that go beyond transactional
giving, fostering pride, involvement, and meaningful relationships. The
position will design and implement strategies that respond to evolving alumni
and constituent needs, including leveraging digital platforms, automated
communications, social media, and relevant events.
The
AVP, will create and foster enduring relationships that result in deepening
engagement and enhanced support for Seattle University—strengthening the
institution through partnerships with friends, alumni, volunteer leaders,
donors, faculty, students, staff, and stakeholders.
We
are seeking a strategic and relationship-driven professional to lead engagement
efforts through a centralized-decentralized model. This role will develop a
unified engagement strategy to drive alumni engagement while empowering alumni
engagement team, volunteers, and academic units with the tools and autonomy to
implement and execute engagement strategies/initiatives across campus. A key
component of this role is managing alumni staff embedded within academic units,
ensuring alignment with institutional engagement goals while supporting
unit-specific priorities. The ideal candidate will strengthen donor engagement,
oversee campaign execution, and leverage data-driven strategies to optimize
fundraising impact across diverse communities.
The AVP will work closely with colleagues and
leaders in University Advancement to create a seamless experience for alumni as
they move through the engagement and donor pipelines.
The
AVP will serve as the chief engagement officer for UA, providing visionary
leadership to and strategic oversight of programs, policies, processes and the
people who manage them.
A
primary responsibility of the AVP will be to establish relationships and work
collaboratively across central UA and the constituency development team to
ensure a unified and consistent alumni/donor experience.
PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS
Key Strategic
Goals and Leadership Responsibilities
1. Develop and Lead a Comprehensive,
University-Wide Alumni Engagement Strategy
- Design and execute a unified alumni
engagement vision that aligns with Seattle University’s strategic
priorities and mission.
- Establish a centralized-decentralized
engagement model, balancing university-wide consistency with the
flexibility to support school, college, and unit-specific goals.
- Serve as the chief strategist and
advisor on alumni and constituent engagement for senior leadership and
key stakeholders.
2. Provide Strategic Oversight and
Leadership to Embedded Alumni Relations Teams
- Lead, supervise, and support alumni
relations staff embedded across academic units, ensuring alignment with
institutional priorities while advancing unit-specific initiatives.
- Build cross-campus collaboration
frameworks, fostering strong partnerships among advancement teams, deans,
and faculty to elevate alumni engagement.
- Ensure staff are equipped with the
training, tools, and best practices necessary to execute effective,
high-impact engagement.
3. Strengthen Donor, Alumni, and Constituent
Engagement to Support Advancement Goals
- Deepen alumni and donor relationships to
build a pipeline of engaged constituents committed to the university’s
mission and philanthropic goals.
- Partner closely with development,
stewardship, and campaign teams to integrate alumni engagement into
broader fundraising and donor relations strategies.
- Provide strategic leadership for the Board
of Regents (in partnership with VPUA, including the recruitment,
cultivation, and engagement of a diverse network of alumni and friends in
volunteer leadership roles that advance university priorities.
- Lead and guide staff in the development
and management of alumni affinity groups, regional chapters, and
professional networks, ensuring alignment with Seattle University’s
mission and fostering meaningful alumni connections locally, regionally,
and nationally.
4. Lead Strategic Alumni Campaigns,
Signature Initiatives, and Brand Alignment
- Oversee large-scale alumni engagement
campaigns and initiatives, ensuring strong alignment with university
branding, messaging, and advancement goals.
- Champion a cohesive Seattle University
alumni identity, strengthening lifelong affinity and engagement through
targeted programs and signature events.
5. Drive Data-Informed Engagement Strategy
and Institutional Accountability
- Establish and monitor alumni engagement
KPIs and success metrics, including CASE alumni engagement benchmarks.
- Leverage data, insights, and feedback to
drive strategic decisions and continuous improvement, optimizing
engagement outcomes and donor pipeline growth.
- Report progress and outcomes to
university leadership, ensuring transparency and alignment with
institutional goals.
6. Champion Inclusion and belonging in
Alumni Engagement
- Lead the development of inclusive alumni
engagement strategies that reflect the richness of Seattle University’s
alumni community.
- Ensure engagement opportunities are
accessible, representative, and responsive to the needs of
underrepresented and marginalized alumni populations.
7. Serve as a Senior Leader and
Institutional Partner
- Act as a key member of the University
Advancement leadership team, contributing to overall advancement strategy
and institutional initiatives.
- Represent Seattle University to external
partners, boards, and high-profile alumni, serving as a visible and
credible ambassador for the university.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in a relevant field such as higher education administration, nonprofit management, communications, business, or related disciplines.
- Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations, advancement, external relations, or a closely related field, preferably in higher education.
- Demonstrated success in developing and executing large-scale, strategic alumni engagement initiatives aligned with institutional goals.
- Proven experience managing and leading diverse teams, including staff embedded within decentralized academic units or departments.
Leadership and Strategic Abilities:
- Visionary and strategic leader with the ability to conceptualize, articulate, and implement a comprehensive alumni and constituent engagement strategy.
- Strong track record of collaborative leadership, working effectively across complex organizations with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience building partnerships with academic leaders, deans, faculty, and volunteers to advance institutional engagement and fundraising efforts.
- Ability to represent the university at the highest levels, engaging alumni, donors, and external partners with professionalism, diplomacy, and authenticity.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Deep understanding of alumni relations best practices, trends, and emerging strategies, including digital engagement and data-driven approaches.
- Experience using alumni engagement metrics and data analytics to inform and measure strategy and program impact (e.g., CASE alumni engagement benchmarks).
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, including public speaking and representing the university in various settings.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), with experience designing programs that engage diverse alumni communities.
Project and Program Management:
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Experience in managing and optimizing volunteer engagement, alumni boards, and affinity groups.
- Ability to conceptualize and execute high-impact events and programs, both in-person and virtual, that align with alumni and institutional priorities.
Technology and Systems:
- Proficiency with alumni and donor databases (CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar), digital communications platforms, and engagement tools.
- Understanding of integrated marketing and communications approaches for constituent engagement, including social media, email marketing, and content strategies.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Catholic, Jesuit, or
mission-driven higher education environments.
- Experience working in a centralized-decentralized alumni engagement structure.
University Advancement is committed to developing an equitable and
inclusive culture that fosters a sense of belonging for all.
Application Instructions
Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.
Compensation at a Glance
Salary Range: $145,000 - $155,000
Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents
its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the
time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be
determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected
candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity
considerations, and available market information, and not based on a
candidate’s gender or any other protected status.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.
Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement
contributions that add to your total compensation package.
Benefits at a Glance
Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution
for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution
and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to
a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/
Hybrid Eligible
This
position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule after successful completion of
an introductory work period of 3-6 months. This may mean that a hybrid eligible
role will begin on-campus initially and then will transition to hybrid format
following onboarding and training. Flexible work plans are subject to periodic
review and may be changed or terminated at any time for any reason at the
university’s discretion.