Director of Alumni Engagement

Sidwell Friends School

Director of Alumni Engagement for Sidwell Friends School, overseeing alumni engagement programs and events. Collaborating with the Senior Director of Engagement to strengthen alumni connections and support fundraising efforts.

Posted 7/22/2026full-timeWashington • District of Columbia, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $90,000 - $100,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in strategic development and management of comprehensive alumni engagement programs, with a strong focus on relationship management, fundraising, and event execution. Proficient in data analysis and project management to enhance alumni connections and philanthropic support.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Alumni Engagement StrategyFundraising PrinciplesProject ManagementEvent ManagementData Analysis

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Alumni EngagementFundraisingRelationship ManagementData AnalysisProject ManagementEvent PlanningStewardshipEngagement ProgrammingVolunteer ManagementStrategic Development

Soft Skills

Strategic ThinkingCreativityInterpersonal SkillsOrganizational SkillsProblem-Solving

Tools & Technologies

Alumni DirectoryMentorship Platform

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationIndependent SchoolAlumni RelationsEngagement MetricsVolunteer Recruitment

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

The Director of Alumni Engagement, reporting to the Senior Director of Engagement, plays a key role in planning, implementing, and managing a comprehensive engagement program for alumni.
This position creates and measures engagement opportunities for alumni to connect with each other and the life of the School in alignment with the Schools alumni engagement strategic plan and the Advancement departments overall goals.
Identify the key metrics and goals for alumni engagement, oversee the collection of and analysis of data, evaluate program success, and employ data-based decision making to strengthen the alumni programs.
Oversee and manage the execution of signature alumni events such as Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and Let Your Life Speak Morning.
Partner with the Senior Director of Engagement and the Friends Alumni Network Advisory Board volunteers to develop and implement strategic goals and objectives that align with the Schools Strategic Plan.
Bring an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to the management of alumni engagement tools and systems like the recently relaunched alumni directory and developing mentorship platform to create sustainable, impactful engagement.
In collaboration with Individual Giving colleagues and with the support of the Executive Assistant, plan and execute programming specifically focused on preparing current students for their alumni experience and young alumni in college, including the Almost Alumni Celebration, 100 Days activity, College Dinner Series, College Care Package, College Connections Program, and other activities or events as identified.
Facilitate and support close collaboration between alumni engagement and giving.
In collaboration with donor engagement and individual giving colleagues, turn increased engagement into philanthropic support and build momentum around signature alumni programs such as Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and more.
Support the identification, recruitment, training, and retention of volunteers, in coordination with Engagement and Individual Giving colleagues.
Manage two standing committees under the Friends Alumni Network Advisory Board: Let Your Life Speak Committee and Dehejia Fellows Program Committee.
Manage affinity-based volunteer groups in alignment with strategic priorities: Black Alumni Alliance.
Oversee the 50th Reunion year class for Reunion Weekend, and recruit and manage volunteers for these classes to plan class-specific events and engage peer alumni via Reunion Weekend.
Work with Individual Giving colleagues to create personalized engagement opportunities for prospective donors.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A Bachelors degree is required with four to six years of experience in alumni engagement, preferably in a higher-education or independent school setting.
The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who has a deep understanding of sustained relationship management, fundraising, stewardship, and engagement programming.
Professionalism, discretion, creativity, willingness to travel and work occasional irregular hours, and the ability to deal with confidential information are vital in this role.
Must be able to provide strategic development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive engagement program for alumni.
Must be a strategic, self-motivated, highly dependable, independent worker with the ability to effectively prioritize work and problem-solve.
Able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize projects to meet deadlines.
Knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices in alumni engagement.
Skilled in project and event management, both in-person and virtual.
Excellent written and verbal skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects from inception to completion.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with colleagues.
Ability to represent the School with internal and external constituents in the community by attending events and social gatherings, including occasional nights and weekends, as needed.
Approximately 10% domestic travel is required for the role.

Benefits

Comp & perks

multiple medical, dental, and vision plan options
school-paid life and long-term disability insurance
wellness programs
flexible spending accounts
Sidwell contributes 7% of gross salary to a 403(b) retirement plan, with a 3% employee contribution
generous paid time off including school breaks, federal holidays, personal days, and paid family leave
additional benefits include free lunch and parking, public transportation support, access to campus facilities, childcare and summer program discounts, and other community-focused resources