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Assistant Director, Alumni Programs / Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator at Michigan State University

Michigan State University

Assistant Director, Alumni Programs / Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator

East Lansing, MI, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

flexible schedule

Professional development opportunities

Paid holidays

Job Description

Michigan State University (MSU) Alumni Office is a dynamic and forward-thinking division committed to advancing the university's mission by fostering lifelong connections between Spartans and their alma mater. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this department plays a critical role in building pride and engagement among the alumni community through meaningful programming, service opportunities, and strategic investment initiatives. The Alumni Office is dedicated to inspiring Spartan alumni to remain actively involved with MSU, creating a vibrant network that supports the university's comprehensive goals and campaigns. The work environment embraces innovation, collaboration, and impact, making it an exciting place to contribute to higher education advancement.

The open position is for an Assistant Director of Alumni Programs, a full-time role within the MSU Alumni Office Programs Team. This role is essential in the development and execution of alumni programming, focusing on flagship initiatives that connect alumni through compelling and meaningful experiences. This is not simply a position that involves event coordination; the Assistant Director is tasked with the creativity and strategic thinking necessary to design engaging programs that drive alumni participation, strengthen affinity, and support the university's broader engagement and fundraising goals. The position requires managing multiple programs simultaneously within a fast-paced, collaborative team environment that values accountability, innovation, clear communication, and a positive workplace culture.

Responsibilities include developing and shaping in-person, virtual, and hybrid alumni programs that allow for story sharing and personalized engagement, cultivating relationships with key campus and external partners, and continually evaluating program success through data-driven insights to enhance and innovate offerings. The role demands expertise in managing all logistic aspects of program delivery, from volunteer recruitment and training to content development and marketing adjustments based on participation data.

Moreover, the successful candidate will produce communication materials to support program execution, engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders ranging from university leadership to volunteers, and maintain technical proficiency across relevant software platforms. The position functions under the supervision of the MSU Alumni Office Director of Alumni Events and Programs and may involve first-level supervision of student employees, volunteers, and other staff involved in programs. This hybrid role requires presence in the office three days per week, with occasional evening or weekend hours to support program needs and university events. Salary is commensurate with experience, reflecting the level of responsibility and expertise required for this impactful role.

Job Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that normally acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in a related field
One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in the planning and production of institutional and or fundraising events
Contractor and vendor contract negotiations
Developing event budget reports
Experience in a customer-service environment
Experience in database, spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software
Ability to work three days per week in a hybrid work environment
Willingness to work evenings and weekends based on program needs
Ability to lift and move moderately heavy materials (minimum 25 pounds)
Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple programs concurrently
Proficiency in relevant software and systems
Must be able to work independently and collaboratively
Commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

Job Qualifications

Four-year college degree or equivalent experience
One to three years of related and progressively responsible or expansive work experience in planning and production of institutional and or fundraising events
Experience in contractor and vendor contract negotiations
Experience developing event budget reports
Customer service experience
Proficiency in database, spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software
Three to five years of related and progressively more responsible experience planning and coordinating educational, institutional, non-profit and or alumni events and programs
Demonstrated ability to plan impactful, large-scale programs involving multiple days, locations, events and partners
Ability to align programs with broader engagement and fundraising goals using data and insights
Excellent project management, organizational and analytical skills
Ability to develop and present ideas that address challenges, drive continuous improvement, and foster innovation
Skilled in developing, writing, and editing clear and engaging program communications
Experience creating opportunities for participant engagement, feedback or storytelling
Familiarity with higher education, alumni engagement, fundraising, and student engagement
Ability to handle confidential information professionally
Strong technical proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Wrike, Qualtrics, and enterprise platforms
Familiarity with CRM systems, particularly Ascend
Exceptional customer service skills with strong written and verbal communication
Strong collaborative skills and ability to work independently
Commitment to open communication and continuous improvement.

Job Duties

Develops and shapes in-person, hybrid, and virtual programs, designing experiences aligned with program strategy, audience objectives and budget, including opportunities for alumni to share their stories and experiences
Identifies and cultivates key campus and external partners to support programs
Conducts ongoing evaluations to assess program effectiveness and uses data and insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement
Benchmarks peer institutions and other organizations to inform recommendations for program enhancement and innovation
Manages program logistics from timeline development to ensuring milestone completion
Develops and executes program content, including tours, visits, social experiences, classes, and other experiences that support overall program goals
Determines volunteer needs, including role development, recruitment and training
Develops materials to assist staff and volunteers with the effective execution of programs
Monitors program participation and engagement and adjusts marketing and communication strategies as needed
Contributes to shared program execution, often working on multiple programs and program elements simultaneously
Staffs programs, serving as a key point of contact for program execution and production
Develops collateral material for programs
Maintains and expands knowledge of alumni engagement, event strategy, and fundraising through webinars, workshops, conferences, and professional contacts
Strengthens technical proficiency in systems relevant to the planning and execution of programs
Develops and maintains positive relationships with campus and external partners
Engages effectively with MSU donors and alumni, university leadership, academic staff, event contractors, vendors, volunteers, and colleagues within University Advancement
Provides information and coordinates staffing with volunteers
May provide first level supervision over student employees, volunteers, community members, past participants and university staff in execution of programs.