AVP, Alumni Relations

American University is a student\-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly\-ranked schools and colleges, internationally\-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

University AdvancementTime Type:

Full time Job Type:

RegularFLSA Status:

ExemptWork Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3\-4 Days/Week)Union:

Job Description:

Summary:

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Alumni Relations and Engagement serves as the chief alumni relations officer at American University, providing strategic vision, leadership, and operational oversight for all centralized alumni programming, engagement, and outreach. This senior leader is responsible for cultivating lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships between the University and its 100,000\+ living alumni worldwide through integrated strategies spanning volunteerism, experiential programming, communications, career engagement, and philanthropy.

Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement and serving as a member of the Advancement senior leadership team, the AVP develops and executes a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy aligned with the University's strategic priorities and forthcoming campaign goals. The AVP coordinates across schools, colleges, departments, and administrative units to ensure a unified, data\-informed approach to alumni engagement that deepens connections, strengthens institutional reputation, and builds a robust pipeline for philanthropic support.

The AVP sets measurable goals aligned with the CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) alumni engagement framework across four key dimensions—philanthropic, volunteer, experiential, and communications engagement, and has the authority and responsibility to meet annual and multi\-year targets as part of the overall Advancement strategy.

Of paramount importance to the University, will be the ability for the AVP to ensure reach, yield, and penetration which more broadly and deeply engages the alumni community in the life of the University, and in alignment with AU’s new “Meet our Moment” strategic plan.

Essential Functions:

1\.)Strategic Leadership and Alumni Engagement

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive multi\-year alumni engagement strategy aligned with University Advancement priorities and campaign goals, especially the new strategic plan and the imminent campaign.
• Set and track measurable goals across CASE's four engagement dimensions: philanthropic, volunteer, experiential, and communications.
• Use data analytics, engagement scoring, predictive modeling, and alumni research to inform strategy, assess program effectiveness, and allocate resources.
• Partner with University Advancement senior leadership colleagues to ensure alumni engagement is integral to campaign planning, readiness, and execution.
• Serve as a thought leader and strategic advisor on alumni engagement trends, best practices, and emerging technologies, including AI\-driven personalization, digital platforms, and hybrid/virtual programming.

2\.) Volunteer Management and Board Leadership

• Oversee the strategic direction and governance of the AU Alumni Board, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and stewardship of board members.
• Work with the Advancement Senior Leadership, Deans, Vice Presidents, Director of Athletics, and university leaders to identify and cultivate opportunities for high\-level alumni advisory committee engagement across interdisciplinary topics.
• Build and manage a diverse, inclusive volunteer pipeline with clear pathways from initial engagement to board\-level and trustee\-level leadership. Dramatically expand the overall base of volunteer leaders for AU.
• Ensure all volunteer structures have clear goals, operating plans, succession planning, and measures of success.
• Develop and support alumni chapter, regional, and affinity group volunteer leadership.

3\.) Cross\-Unit Coordination and Collaboration

• Assess and coordinate alumni engagement, communications, and programming across all schools, colleges, and administrative units to ensure consistency, efficiency, and a unified alumni experience.
• Manage communications strategy in partnership with the Advancement Communications team in University Advancement (and on occasion University Communications) to implement an effective multi\-channel marketing plan (email, digital, social media, print, video) for alumni programs, benefits, and services.
• Create and maintain a centralized university\-wide calendar for alumni communications and activities.
• Partner with Career Services to develop and expand alumni career mentoring, networking, and professional development programming. Focus on helping to deliver the key goals of the new strategic plan for AU, “Meet our Moment’.
• Collaborate with Admissions on alumni volunteer recruitment for student recruitment, legacy engagement, and yield programs.
• Leverage technology and digital tools to build a connected, engaged global alumni community.

4\.) Alumni Programs, Events, and Lifelong Learning

• Oversee the planning and execution of signature alumni events, including new Reunion initiatives and All American Weekend and MCAR Weekend, Commencement activities, regional events, and affinity programming.
• Expand experiential and lifelong learning opportunities, including faculty\-led master classes, virtual/hybrid events, regional programming, and alumni travel programs.
• Assess program effectiveness through attendance data, engagement metrics, satisfaction surveys, and cost\-benefit analysis; sunset underperforming programs and innovate new offerings based on alumni interests and needs.
• Increase the breadth and depth of alumni participation in events and programming, with emphasis on engaging early\-career, mid\-career, and diverse alumni populations.
• Focus intentionally and intensely on the DMV, where 40% of AU’s alumni reside and work. Develop a best in class approach to local area alumni engagement.

5\.) Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high\-performing alumni relations team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and professional growth.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff; establish clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and support career development.
• Manage and steward the alumni relations operating budget (approximately $700,000–$1,000,000\), ensuring effective and efficient use of resources.

6\.) Cultivation, Solicitation, and Philanthropic Engagement

• Ensure alumni programming consistently reinforces a culture of philanthropy and provides clear pathways from engagement to giving.
• As a secondary staff contact, maintain a portfolio of 50–75 assigned alumni prospects, primarily volunteer leaders and advisory board members, who may be involved in cultivation and solicitation with a member of the development staff. Work collaboratively to ensure momentum in the engagement of those prospects.
• Partner with Development colleagues, Annual Giving, and Donor Relations to align engagement strategies with fundraising goals and build a robust engagement\-to\-giving pipeline.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Supervises the Director of Alumni Engagement and Signature Events, Senior Director Multicultural \& Affinity Engagement, Director Alumni Outreach, S\&CP, and a Senior Administrative Assistant.

Competencies:

• Acting Strategically.
• Thinking Broadly.
• Collaborative Leadership.
• Leading and Inspiring People.
• Managing Talent.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full\-time.
• 35 hours per week.
• Evening and weekend work is regularly required for events and programming.
• Hybrid work schedule may be available in accordance with University policy.

Salary Range:

• $185,000\.00 \- $210,000\.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 10\+ years of relevant experience.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations, development, advancement, or a related field in higher education, with at least five years in a senior management or leadership role overseeing alumni engagement at an institution with a significant alumni body (100,000\+ preferred).
• Demonstrated success developing and executing comprehensive alumni engagement strategies in a complex, multi\-unit higher education environment.
• Proven experience recruiting, managing, and stewarding high\-level volunteer boards and advisory committees.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with senior university administrators, deans, trustees, faculty, and external stakeholders.
• Experience partnering with development colleagues and/or direct fundraising solicitation (major gifts and/or leadership annual giving).
• Strong track record in managing, mentoring, and developing professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience using data analytics, engagement scoring, and CRM systems to inform strategy, measure outcomes, and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and compelling reports and deliver presentations to senior leadership and diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with advancement CRM systems (e.g., Ellucian Advance, Salesforce, Blackbaud) and the Microsoft Office suite; familiarity with digital engagement platforms and emerging technologies.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities in a fast\-paced, deadline\-driven environment with maturity, integrity, and sound judgment.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree or equivalent.
• Master's degree in higher education administration, nonprofit management, communications, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience supporting or leading a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
• Knowledge of CASE alumni engagement metrics, benchmarking, and best practices.
• Experience with digital engagement platforms, AI\-driven personalization tools, and virtual/hybrid event technologies.
• Familiarity with DEI best practices in alumni programming and volunteer management.
• Advanced analytical and problem\-solving skills, with experience in market research and data\-driven decision\-making.

Travel Required:

• This position requires travel approximately 20% – 40% of the time, including regional and national travel for alumni events, volunteer cultivation, and professional conferences.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Candidate must have a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on\-site at the university.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E\-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

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Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.