Asst Director of Alumni Engagement

The School of Public Health (SPH) Advancement Office is seeking a dynamic and strategic professional to serve as Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement (9702AR Advancement Officer 2, Alumni Relations). This full-time position plays a key role in one of the University of Minnesota's most active and impactful alumni engagement programs, serving a global network of over 12,000 living SPH alumni.

The School of Public Health (SPH) is committed to equity in our mission and operations. In pursuit of this goal, we consider an individual's record working with students and colleagues from historically marginalized backgrounds and experience identifying and eliminating systemic barriers to academic success. Because the SPH seeks to increase the diversity of its faculty and staff, we encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our discipline, including those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, those who are first generation, veterans, and those from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

As a critical member of the SPH Advancement Team, the Assistant Director will lead, develop, and manage alumni programming and events that foster lifelong relationships between SPH and its alumni. This role is ideal for a relationship-driven individual who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about public health, community building, and institutional pride.

The Assistant Director will report directly to the Associate Chief Advancement Officer and work in close partnership with development, communications, student services, and academic
divisions/programs to ensure alumni initiatives align with the school's strategic goals and values.

Starting salary is $62,000 - $75,000 and is dependent upon the selected candidate's relevant qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Work Arrangements: The University of Minnesota endorses "Work. With Flexibility," and we offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends. This means that the incumbent may have the option to work at least partially remotely. Onsite location: Mayo Memorial Building, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN. Ability to travel to community-based events in the Twin Cities metro area.

Job Responsibilities

Alumni Engagement & Relationship Building

Develop and maintain strong relationships with the School of Public Health alumni to foster lifelong engagement, mentorship, and volunteerism.

Act as the internal content expert and liaison for alumni relations, providing guidance and partnership to faculty, staff, and academic units across the school to support alumni-focused initiatives.

Below are the general key areas of responsibility:

Program & Event Leadership (60%)

• Lead the planning, coordination, and evaluation of alumni-focused programs and events, including but not limited to the SPH Mentor Program, SPH Mentor Kick-Off, Mentor Program Career Development event, Alumni Awards, David J. Fine Visiting Professor in Healthcare Administration Public Lecture, Gaylord Anderson Lecture Series, and SPH Community Reception.
• Manage and maintain the SPH reunion process for SPH alumni.
• Collaborate with SPH divisions and programs, alumni, and University partners to coordinate strategic alumni engagement events and programs. Including but not limited to: UMAA Mentor Appreciation Dinners, conference alumni and friends receptions, reunions, and program-specific alumni panels.
• Maintain a strong understanding of alumni relations programming and event best practices by staying connected and on top of emerging trends and current events.
• Leverage and analyze data to evaluate return on investment (ROI) and key performance indicators (KPIs) for alumni programs and events.

Board & Volunteer Support (20%)

• In partnership with the Associate Chief Advancement Officer, provide strategic and administrative leadership for the SPH Alumni Society Board, ensuring effective board engagement, operations, and governance.
• Create meeting agendas
• Board documents
• Slide decks
• Manage board notes
• Maintain board bylaws
• Manage and coordinate the Mentor Program Committee and Engagement Committee.
• Coordinate new board member orientation.

Marketing & Communications (10%)

• Create and implement compelling marketing strategies and messaging to promote alumni programs and events to alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
• Collaborate closely with the SPH Communications Team to lead and shape alumni-related messaging, providing strategic input, content expertise, and feedback to ensure effective and engaging communications.

Advancement Team Operations (10%)

• Hire, train, and supervise 1-2 advancement student workers annually to ensure effective advancement support.
• Manage the alumni supply ordering process - awards, pins, table tents, etc.
• Coordinate and manage the data entry process for alumni engagement throughout the year.

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today's biggest health challenges. SPH includes four academic divisions and 29 internationally recognized centers and is home to roughly 1,025 students, 130 tenured/tenure-track and contract faculty, and 450 staff. SPH is a research powerhouse: #1 level of research funding per capita at UMN, #3 largest research portfolio at the UMN, #2 NIH funding among UMN schools and colleges, and $1.1M average grant funding per faculty member. The school is ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, #6 public school of public health, and offers more than 20 leading master's, doctoral, and certificate programs, with its Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program ranked #2 and its Biostatistics program ranked #9.

Pay Range: $62,000 - $75,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).