Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, Regional

Macalester College’s Engagement Department is seeking an experienced, bold, strategic, and relationship-driven Associate Director of Regional Engagement to deepen alumni connections and strengthen Macalester’s regional community. This role is central to building and supporting dynamic alumni networks across the country—networks that drive meaningful connection and long-term support for the college.

The Associate Director will cultivate and empower regional alumni leaders, helping them create vibrant engagement opportunities tailored to their communities. This includes developing strategy, managing volunteer leaders, and building follow-up plans that inspire continued involvement and ownership. The position also leads planning for the 50th Reunion Engagement Committee and works in close partnership with colleagues across Advancement and the campus community to foster connection, celebration, and philanthropy.

This is a full-time position with a hybrid weekly schedule of Tuesday through Thursday in office each week, and ability to work Monday and Friday from home. This position requires travel approximately four times per year. 

About the Engagement Department
Macalester’s Engagement team works to expand and enrich the ways alumni and friends of the college connect with one another and with Macalester. Through events, volunteering, and giving opportunities, we cultivate lifelong relationships rooted in pride and purpose. We are committed to creativity, collaboration, and community-focused strategy and approach our work through an equity lens and take pride in being innovative, inclusive, and impact-driven.

Regional Signature Events:

• Oversees the standing signature event strategy and implementation plans for regions, including Mac In Your City, National Trivia, and in-person event series that travel to the regions.
• Defines the cadence and type of events which bring the most value including virtual events. These events will serve as a hub for other engagement and fundraising work across Advancement and the campus.
• In partnership with the Director of Alumni Engagement, develops staff-led annual event series to increase engagement, fundraising, and visibility goals of the College as related to yearly priorities and campaigns.

Regional Community:

• Activates, trains, and recruits volunteer leadership in regional communities.
• Leads the Regional Engagement Committee, project manages work plans for the signature events, and empowers volunteers to act on those work plans.
• Creates strategy for regional engagement based on data that maximizes resources and interest including a follow up call-to-action for alumni that participate in activities.
• Provides information and seeks collaborations with campus partners for regional alumni engagement events as appropriate.  In particular, this work will collaborate to engage Twin Cities alumni to elevate the reputation of Macalester within the Twin Cities as well as build specific young alumni programming.
• Partners closely with other Alumni Engagement team members, Development, Macalester Fund, Communications, and other campus partners to develop an integrated strategy that helps all partners achieve their goals.

Reunion:

•  Leverages the excitement of celebrating the 50th reunion milestone to help build an engagement strategy for the 50th reunion committee to include more volunteers, increased promotions, and tailored programming with an end outcome of increased fundraising goals. Partners closely with the Planned Giving Office and the 50th Reunion staff committee.
• Partners with the Macalester Fund to help committees meet their fundraising goals.
• Leads 1-2 other Reunion Committees and additional Reunion responsibilities in conjunction with the larger planning process.

Data and Reporting:

• Prepares, analyzes, and evaluates regional alumni data as it relates to events and geographic based engagement. With collaboration by the Director of Alumni Engagement, establishes baseline metrics to determine growth that directs regional strategies.

Alumni Board:

• Integrates all Alumni Board national and global work into the chapter work. 
• Supports the work of the Alumni Board.
• Works with volunteers to drive and accomplish defined Alumni Board initiatives.

Other Responsibilities:

• Completes other responsibilities as assigned. Participates as an active member of the team. Participates in department and college activities and supports implementation of shared goals and initiatives. Provides backup support to other members of the team.
• Engages in and promotes Macalester’s culture of diversity and inclusion, encompassing individuals of any heritage, identity, status or orientation.

• At least 3 years of professional experience in direct volunteer management, community engagement, event planning and/or previous experience in fundraising, preferably in higher education or non-profit setting. 
• Bachelor’s Degree required. 
• Strong proven experience in engagement and solicitation practices, volunteer management, and collaborative work. 
• Previous experience planning programs and engaging diverse constituents, identifying and surfacing new and emerging areas of potential growth, experience in a higher-ed setting and/or working with college students .
• Strong communications skills.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively.
• Knowledge of engagement and solicitation practices.
• Ability to analyze trends and make recommendations.
• Strong attention to details, ability to stay organized and manage multiple projects, solid follow-through. 
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines. 
• The successful applicant will be a motivated self-starter with the ability to see the many potential opportunities and hone in on the areas of work that will provide the greatest success and impact. Candidates must share the college’s commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all staff, faculty, and students.
• Demonstrates the commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. Actively engages in learning and practicing principles of social justice and inclusion to increase individual capacity to support institutional changes that create and sustain a more welcoming and inclusive environment across the Macalester Community.

Compensation & Benefits: 

The total compensation for this position includes an annual salary of $60,000 - $62,500 based on qualifications. This role is 1.0 FTE and offers full access to Macalester’s Benefits package. 

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan. 
• Generous Parental Leave. 
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance plans, including a generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

 Application Guidelines

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage. Priority will be given to applications received by July 17th, the position will be posted until filled.  

 All inquiries about this position should be directed to:

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager

jhoward3@macalester.edu

Founded in 1874, Macalester College provides students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in flourishing St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls over 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. Macalester is a preeminent liberal arts college recognized for its student service and celebration of internationalism.

At Macalester, we look at our employees through a whole-person, holistic lens. With comprehensive benefits and well-being programs, we provide and enable our community members to grow and care for themselves, their families, and one another. Our whole-hearted fidelity to community-building and social justice exemplify these ideals.  Macalester College continuously prioritizes a culturally diverse and pluralistic community. We value individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. 

Our rich blend of people holding varied identities enhances our strong commitment to multiculturalism and global citizenship. We seek candidates who reflect and strengthen our campus environment. Macalester invites and encourages everyone to apply who would add depth to our community including those from all sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, religions, abilities, and ages.