Job Category: Professional/Administrative
Position Title: Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Division: Office of Advancement
Department: Alumni Engagement
Hiring Wage/Salary Range: $140,000-$160,000
Professional Experience/ Qualifications: - Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in higher education, including at least five years in progressive management roles overseeing alumni engagement and/or advancement.
- Proven success in volunteer engagement and cultivation, with the ability to inspire, mobilize, and sustain meaningful alumni participation.
- Superior strategic and leadership skills, with a deep understanding of alumni relations best practices and emerging trends in the field.
- Demonstrated ability to envision, develop, and implement innovative alumni engagement programs that enhance institutional connections and support University priorities.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the intellectual depth, confidence, and credibility to engage effectively with alumni, faculty, University leadership, and key stakeholders.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, with a track record of working effectively across academic and administrative teams.
- Comfort with fundraising and related activities, with an understanding of how alumni engagement supports philanthropic success.
- A data-driven mindset, with the ability to leverage metrics, analytics, and assessment tools to measure engagement, optimize resources, and manage budgets effectively.
- Adaptability and willingness to travel extensively, maintaining strong connections with alumni nationwide and beyond.
- A collaborative, collegial, and high-integrity leadership style, with a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a sense of humor.
- Deep appreciation for Colgate University's history, mission, and achievements, with the ability to effectively articulate its impact to a diverse audience of alumni, parents, students, faculty, and staff.
- A strong desire to engage fully with both the University and the local community.
Preferred Qualifications: - Direct experience in alumni relations and/or advancement within a higher education setting.
- Proven ability to assess, refine, and elevate alumni engagement programs within a complex institutional environment.
- Experience developing and implementing alumni engagement and advancement strategies that align with institutional goals and priorities.
Education: A Bachelor's degree is required.
Offer Determination: When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.
Benefits: Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our
Benefits page .
Department Statement: Colgate University, a top-ranked liberal arts institution, seeks a visionary Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement to provide strategic leadership in fostering meaningful connections with its global alumni community.
As a highly selective, residential liberal arts college, Colgate is dedicated to educating talented students for lives of leadership and service. The University has a deeply rooted culture of philanthropy and alumni engagement, with more than 56% of alumni actively participating each year through giving, volunteering, and attending both virtual and in-person programs. Signature events-such as Reunion, which welcomes more than 2,500 alumni and guests annually-exemplify the strength of Colgate's alumni network.
This enduring alumni loyalty and generosity provide a powerful foundation as the University advances its historic and comprehensive Campaign for the Third Century. With over $680 million raised toward its $1 billion goal, the campaign is a cornerstone of Colgate's
Third-Century Plan, designed to propel the University into a new era of academic excellence and institutional impact.
The Associate Vice President will play a pivotal role in strengthening alumni engagement and mobilizing this passionate community in support of Colgate's bold vision for the future.
Accountabilities: Reporting to the vice president for advancement, the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Alumni Engagement serves as Colgate University's chief alumni engagement officer, providing strategic vision, leadership, and direction to strengthen alumni connections and enhance their lifelong relationship with the University.
Key Responsibilities:In partnership with Advancement leadership:
- Advance Colgate's mission and strategic priorities by fostering long-term, meaningful alumni engagement that aligns with the University's goals.
- Position alumni engagement as a University-wide priority, ensuring the department serves as a central hub for strategically coordinating engagement efforts across all alumni populations.
- Build and nurture collaborative partnerships with University leadership, faculty, and key campus stakeholders to develop and implement strategic alumni engagement initiatives.
- Expand and enhance alumni volunteer leadership by identifying and engaging alumni in impactful roles both on and off campus. Ensure a diverse and robust pipeline of volunteers, drawing from alumni who have demonstrated interest in supporting Colgate and hold prominence in their fields. Opportunities include serving on panels, committees, boards, and other advisory roles.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to increase Colgate's Alumni Engagement Index by strengthening volunteer participation, event attendance, and communications engagement. Adapt initiatives based on emerging trends and evolving University priorities.
- Oversee and enhance alumni engagement programs that foster connections through affinity and identity-based groups, intellectual and regional initiatives, and the Colgate Professional Networks.
- Lead the development and implementation of marketing and communications strategies to effectively promote alumni engagement opportunities.
- Serve as the primary University liaison to the Alumni Council, including fulfilling the role of Executive Secretary.
- Provide leadership and oversight for the alumni engagement team, ensuring effective recruitment, mentorship, and professional development of staff. Foster a high-performance culture through clear expectations, strategic delegation, and timely, constructive feedback. Ensure fair and equitable employment decisions regarding hiring, promotions, salary adjustments, and performance management.
- Manage and oversee the department's budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and in alignment with University policies and priorities.
- Oversee Reunion Weekend, a signature annual event. Serve a key partner in event planning for other signature Colgate weekends such as Homecoming and Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend.
This position offers an exceptional opportunity for a strategic and dynamic leader to strengthen alumni engagement at one of the nation's premier liberal arts institutions.
Requisition Number: 2025S033Posting
Temporary: No
Work Schedule: Weekdays, Evenings, Occasional Weekends
Job Open Date: 04/16/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes
EEO Statement: The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of merit, ability, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.
Clery Act: CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at:
. Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at
.