Who We Are
We enrich the University of Michigan's impact by serving as an independent gateway for alums of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences across the globe and in our neighborhoods to create and deepen belonging to the Michigan Family, the Leaders and Best.
Join the Alumni Association in fostering a global community of belonging. We aim to create spaces where every stakeholder feels connected and valued. Through programs such as clubs, affinity groups, and student support initiatives, we are dedicated to building strong, supportive networks among alumni worldwide. We invite you to explore our impactful work and become a part of our commitment to nurturing a worldwide network of belonging. Discover more about our efforts here: Community of Belonging.
Job Summary
The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is seeking a highly relational and strategic Associate Director of Global Engagement to serve as a vital partner to our geographically based alumni communities, including domestic and international clubs, affinity networks, and emerging groups.
The ideal candidate is an adaptable and inclusive leader who balances high-level strategic thinking with exceptional operational execution, driving volunteer-led engagement through relationship management, operational support, and resource coordination.
In addition to the responsibilities and qualifications listed below, and most importantly, candidates must share and hold to the highest regard the same values that are uniquely inherent to the Alumni Association:
ALL IN
Believe in our mission
Be trustworthy and loyal to the Alumni Association and each other
Be passionate about what we're doing and be proud to be a part of it
Be an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty
SERVING HEART
Be open and willing to listen to others and help in whatever way possible
You're dedicated to selflessly following the Platinum Rule: treat others the way they want to be treated
SOLUTION SEEKER
You're a creative problem solver
You're never satisfied with the status quo
You find a way to say yes
You embrace new ideas and approaches from different perspectives
You're collaborative, flexible and adaptive
Responsibilities*
Relationship Management & Volunteer Support
- Serve as the primary staff liaison for a portfolio of regional alumni clubs and geographically based community groups.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with volunteer leaders, alumni ambassadors, and community stakeholders.
- Provide coaching, consultation, and leadership development to volunteer boards and committees.
- Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and leadership transitions.
- Work in partnership with the Associate Director of Volunteer Lifecycle Management to identify gaps, opportunities, and trends in recruiting, onboarding, training, recognition, and succession planning for volunteers. Participate in and facilitate training and workshops.
- Work in partnership with the Associate Director of Affiliate Programs to identify partnership opportunities between clubs and affiliates. Help to drive support for affiliate initiatives at the club level.
- Facilitate regular communication with club leaders to ensure alignment with university priorities and engagement goals.
- Arrange in-person meetings, field visits, and provide on-site support for club meetings, signature events, and community service initiatives. Travel for some of these engagements will be required and may occur in the evening or on weekends.
- Support high-performing volunteer cultures that encourage inclusion, innovation, and alumni participation.
Resource & Operational Management
- Manage and distribute club resources, including funding, training, toolkits, event templates, compliance and operational guidance.
- Develop scalable systems, processes, and best practices that improve volunteer effectiveness and consistency across regions.
- Coordinate annual planning and reporting processes, goal setting, and reporting for regional communities.
- Monitor and evaluate club activity, engagement metrics, and program outcomes to inform strategy and resource allocation.
- Maintain accurate records and data within alumni engagement and CRM systems.
- Collaborate with a variety of program areas across the organization to meet engagement and membership goals.
Event & Program Support
- Advise and support regional clubs in the planning and execution of alumni events and programs.
- Collaborate with campus partners to expand programming opportunities including networking events, student recruitment activities, service initiatives, lifelong learning, and welcome-to-the-neighborhood programming.
- Assist with university-sponsored regional events, leadership conferences, and volunteer training opportunities.
- Ensure programs reflect institutional values and support a welcoming alumni experience.
Strategic Engagement & Collaboration
- Identify opportunities to grow alumni engagement in key metropolitan regions and emerging alumni markets.
- Partner with colleagues across campus to align outreach, communications, and engagement efforts.
- Support strategies that strengthen alumni affinity, increase volunteer participation, and create pathways for philanthropic engagement.
- Analyze trends and recommend innovative engagement strategies to support evolving alumni needs and expectations.
- Perform other administrative support functions as needed including data reporting, scholarship follow up, technology troubleshooting, and business office questions.
General Responsibilities:
- Provide organizational leadership by demonstrating AAUM core values: All In, Serving Heart, and Solution Seeker, and helping other staff members demonstrate those values.
- Value and embrace different identities and perspectives, recognizing that everyone has unique and different experiences that contribute to the best solution seeking and success for AAUM.
- Work with AAUM staff members to gain a clear and consistent understanding of the details of the strategic plan and feel equal ownership of every piece of it, including pieces for which there is no direct responsibility.
- Be collaborative with all AAUM staff and teams. Operate as a critical contributing member of the staff to complete objectives in many different areas in order to move the whole organization toward the strategic plan.
- Support University Relations efforts by demonstrating AAUM value to campus units/partners (i.e., schools/colleges, campuses).
- Continually build digital skill sets in order to implement into work.
- Staff and participate in team meetings, Alumni Association events that may be during evenings or weekends, and staff retreats including offsite, overnight staff retreats at Camp Michigania.
- Provide staff support to the Alumni Association's Board of Directors, its committees, and other volunteers as needed.
- Coordinate special projects as assigned or required.
- Participate in Alumni Association and other University committees as required.
- Share knowledge through internal communication.
- Support the Alumni Association's vision of creating a place of belonging for all alumni.
- Remain current with respect to technology and the university's educational resources.
Supervision Received
Direct supervision is received from the Senior Director of Global Engagement
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 4-6 years of experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, community engagement, nonprofit leadership, higher education, or related field.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships with a diverse network of volunteers, stakeholders, and community leaders.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to adapt messages based on the intended audience.
- Experience coordinating events, programs, or volunteer initiatives.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends and travel as needed.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience working in higher education.
- Familiarity with volunteer board management and alumni engagement strategies.
- Experience using CRM or engagement platforms such as Salesforce and project management tools such as Asana.
- Familiarity with Google Suite.
- Knowledge of regional engagement models, affinity programming, or community-based engagement strategies.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Work Locations
The Alumni Center is located in Ann Arbor, MI. This position is hybrid and requires 2 days per week in the office. In the fall, the position will require 3 days per week in the office.
Additional Information
- Occasional evening and weekend is required to support club events and programs, as well as other Alumni Association programs and events.
- This position requires occasional travel for in-person meetings with clubs (25%).
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.