Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Education?

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement is an entrepreneurial, impact-driven professional who will help design, execute, and integrate a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy rooted in social impact and meaningful connection. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engagement and Insights, this role is ideal for a creative strategist and relationship-builder who is energized by activating alumni around purpose, community, and positive change.

This position plays a critical role in strengthening lifelong relationships between alumni and the institution by creating inclusive, values-driven engagement opportunities that highlight alumni impact, elevate alumni voices, and connect graduates to one another, to students, and to the school’s mission. The Assistant Director will bring a growth mindset, a bias toward action, and a passion for innovation, while collaborating across departments to ensure alumni engagement is integrated, data-informed, and mission-aligned.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Programs, Events & Lifelong Learning (30%)

• Lead the planning and execution of Alumni Day and other signature engagement moments, working closely with internal partners and alumni leaders to deliver high-impact, mission-aligned experiences.
• Develop, plan, and execute a portfolio of in-person, virtual, and hybrid programs that connect alumni to each other, to students, faculty, and to ongoing learning.
• Collaborate with internal partners (career services, academic programs, admissions, student affairs, advancement, and communications) to deliver integrated alumni experiences.
• Support signature moments such as reunions, regional events, student–alumni initiatives, mentoring programs, and impact-focused convenings as well as help coordinate alumni meetups and connection opportunities at national/regional conferences and convenings (e.g., SXSW EDU and other education conferences), in partnership with internal stakeholders.

Alumni & Volunteer Leadership (25%)

• Oversee and serve as primary staff partner to the Alumni Council, including member recruitment, onboarding, governance, working groups, meeting planning, and ongoing engagement.
• Guide the Alumni Council’s work to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, inclusive representation, and meaningful impact.
• Cultivate strong relationships with alumni across career stages, geographies, and identities, with particular attention to inclusive and impact-oriented engagement.
• Recruit, support, and steward alumni volunteers, councils, and affinity or interest-based groups, ensuring clear purpose, strong partnership, and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a trusted liaison to alumni leaders, supporting governance, working groups, and volunteer-driven initiatives.

Strategy & Impactful Engagement (20%)

• Partner with the Senior Director of Engagement & Insights to design and implement an integrated alumni engagement strategy with a clear social impact lens.
• Translate institutional priorities and alumni interests into scalable, meaningful engagement opportunities that foster belonging, service, and lifelong connection.
• Identify, pilot, and evaluate new engagement models (programs, convenings, digital platforms, and partnerships) that can grow over time and deepen alumni impact.
• Partner with the Communications team on social media and execution strategy, including managing LinkedIn networks.

Storytelling, Communications & Data (15%)

• Partner with Communications, Engagement, and Development colleagues to elevate alumni stories of impact and purpose through digital content, events, and campaigns.
• Use data, feedback, and engagement metrics to assess effectiveness, inform strategy, and continuously improve alumni outreach.
• Maintain accurate alumni engagement records and contribute to reporting, analysis, and long-term planning.
• Develop and manage a regular cadence/mechanism for alumni to update their information (e.g., roles, organizations, geography, interests) and opt into specific engagement ‘benches’ that support HGSE’s strategic priorities.

Collaboration & Institutional Partnership (10%)

• Act as a connector across School and University, aligning alumni engagement efforts with broader institutional goals.
• Represent the office in internal and university-wide committees, working groups, and alumni relations forums as needed.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking team culture within the Communications and Engagement office.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in alumni engagement, higher education, advancement, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.
• This role is hybrid and on campus at minimum 3 days per week.
• Limited travel may be required to support Alumni events.
• Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter and resume. Please upload as one document.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated success building relationships and managing multiple stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to move ideas from concept to execution.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience designing or managing programs with a social impact, community engagement, or equity lens.
• Familiarity with alumni relations, volunteer management, or advancement operations in a complex organization.
• Comfort using data and CRM systems to inform engagement strategies.
• Experience working cross-functionally and navigating matrixed organizations.

Key Attributes for Success

• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort experimenting, iterating, and learning.
• Deep commitment to inclusive, values-driven, and impact-oriented engagement.
• Strategic thinker who is also highly execution-oriented.
• Relationship-centered, collaborative, and service-minded.
• Flexible and adaptable, with willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel as needed.

Why This Role Matters

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of alumni engagement—moving beyond transactional interactions toward meaningful, purpose-driven connection. The Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement will play a central role in activating alumni as partners, ambassadors, mentors, and changemakers, strengthening both community and impact for years to come.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $83,000 - $87,000 commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.