Summary
This role reports to: Dean of Professional Studies and Executive Director of Alumni Engagement. Long Island University seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven professional to serve as Associate Director of Alumni Engagement. The Associate Director will strengthen lifelong connections with LIU alumni, increase participation in university programs and philanthropic initiatives, and support institutional advancement priorities.
Working collaboratively across the University, including with Advancement, academic units, Student Affairs, and LIU Athletics and sports teams, this position will develop alumni programs, fundraising communications, volunteer opportunities, digital outreach, and events that build pride, engagement, and support for LIU.
Key Responsibilities
Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy
- Develop alumni engagement strategies that increase participation, volunteerism, annual giving, and philanthropic support.
- Cultivate relationships with alumni and donors; support prospect identification, stewardship, and donor pipeline development.
- Create opportunities for alumni to serve as ambassadors, mentors, volunteers, speakers, and advocates.
- Develop Annual Fund appeals, Giving Day initiatives, scholarship campaigns, and other fundraising communications.
Events, Athletics, and University Partnerships
- Plan and execute events that advance alumni engagement, institutional pride, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
- Partner with LIU Athletics and sports teams to create alumni-athlete programs, team reunions, game-day experiences, fundraising opportunities, and other athletics-related initiatives.
- Collaborate with academic departments, Student Affairs, Advancement, and other partners to connect alumni with LIU traditions, programs, and priorities.
- Manage event budgets, vendors, communications, guest lists, sponsorships, fundraising components, and evaluation.
Annual Fund and Student Impact Team
- Develop outreach and storytelling that demonstrates the support of students.
- Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and coach Student Impact Team callers.
- Create call scripts, talking points, training materials, and outreach strategies; monitor engagement and fundraising results.
Digital Engagement and Communications
- Lead digital engagement through email, LinkedIn, CRM tools, social media, and alumni web platforms.
- Promote alumni achievements, donor impact, student success, events, volunteer opportunities, and University priorities.
- Collaborate with University Marketing to maintain consistent, compelling, and brand-aligned communications.
Volunteer Leadership, Data, and Strategy
- Build and support an alumni volunteer program, including class leaders, ambassadors, mentors, and event volunteers.
- Oversee key alumni traditions and affinity programs, including Homecoming, reunions, recognition programs, and networking opportunities.
- Maintain accurate CRM records and analyze engagement, participation, volunteer, digital, and fundraising results.
- Identify technologies, platforms, and approaches that improve outreach and deepen alumni relationships.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
- 2-5 years of progressive experience in alumni relations, advancement, fundraising, annual giving, donor relations, external engagement, or a related field.
- Experience with donor cultivation, stewardship, appeals, fundraising events, sponsorships, or volunteer management strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success building relationships and managing events, budgets, communications, vendors, and multiple projects.
- Excellent writing, storytelling, interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, email marketing, LinkedIn, and social media; familiarity with Give Smart, Canva, or comparable tools preferred.
- Experience supervising student employees or volunteers is highly preferred.
- Collaborative, creative, highly organized, and able to work independently in a fast-paced University environment.
- Based at the LIU Post Campus in Brookville, New York with some days at the LIU Brooklyn Campus as needed.
- Evening, weekend, and travel commitments are required for some alumni, donor, athletics, and University events.
LIU is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community. LIU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States