Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang college of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

The Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement provides strategic and operational leadership for The New School’s university-wide alumni engagement program. The Director develops and advances a comprehensive strategy that strengthens alumni connection, supports institutional priorities, and creates meaningful opportunities for alumni to engage with students, faculty, fellow alumni, and the university.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Alumni & Community Engagement, the Director sets goals and priorities and supervises staff responsible for school-based and university-wide engagement initiatives. The Director directly leads alumni engagement for Parsons and Performing Arts while ensuring that alumni across all New School schools and programs receive coordinated, relevant, and inclusive opportunities for lifelong connection.

The Director oversees regional and affinity engagement, reunions, events, communications, digital communities, volunteer leadership, and data-informed outreach. The role establishes shared standards, manages resources, assesses performance, and collaborates closely with Development and Alumni Engagement colleagues, academic leadership, faculty, and other university partners.

Alumni Engagement

• Develop and implement a comprehensive university-wide alumni engagement strategy aligned with institutional and Development and Alumni Engagement priorities while recognizing the distinct identities of The New School’s schools and programs 

• Establish annual goals, priorities, work plans, timelines, and measures of success for the alumni engagement team.

• Oversee the strategic development and execution of an annual slate of in-person and virtual alumni initiatives, including regional, industry, affinity, reunion, volunteer, and community-building opportunities.

• Expand alumni participation across career and life stages, geographic regions, industries, affinities, interests, and levels of prior engagement.

• Manage alumni engagement resources and align investments with strategic priorities.

• Direct Reunion strategy, planning, communications, and execution in partnership with Development and Alumni Engagement and school-based colleagues.

• Lead the development and management of the Executive Alumni Council of The New School and provide strategic direction for Alumni Council committees.

• Manage relationships with alumni leaders and volunteers, supporting their involvement and deepening their connection to The New School.

• Develop alumni leaders and volunteers who serve as informed ambassadors and advocates for The New School.

• Partner with student-facing offices to strengthen alumni-to-student engagement and create pathways that support the transition from student to active alum.

• Build relationships with industry leaders, employers, and external partners that expand engagement opportunities for alumni and students.

• Represent Alumni Engagement on university-wide committees and special initiatives and build partnerships that strengthen alumni and student engagement.

Staff Leadership and University Partnerships

• Supervise alumni engagement staff, including setting team priorities, coordinating workflows, establishing expectations, and ensuring accountability for program execution and results.

• Promote collaboration and information sharing across the Development and Alumni Engagement division.

• Partner with deans, academic leaders, faculty, and school-based colleagues to identify priorities and advance alumni engagement plans.

• Build and maintain productive relationships across the university to support coordinated alumni engagement.

Communications, Data, and Assessment

• Guide segmented outreach strategies based on alumni interests, industries, affiliations, geographic locations, career stages, and engagement preferences.

• Direct the strategy, messaging, and development of alumni communications in partnership with the Associate Director of Alumni and Community Engagement Communications

• Establish standards for the accurate and timely entry, review, and maintenance of alumni engagement information in Salesforce and lead efforts to improve data quality and completeness.

• Establish performance measures for volunteer engagement, mentoring, programming, digital activity, communications, data quality, and program outcomes.

• Use performance data and alumni feedback to assess effectiveness, identify engagement gaps, refine audience strategies, allocate resources, and guide future planning.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five to seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education, advancement, alumni relations, or constituent engagement.

• Strong presentation and public-speaking skills, with the ability to represent the university effectively in varied settings.

•  Demonstrated record of designing, growing, and evaluating programs, communications, and events, including large-scale initiatives.

• Exceptional organizational, verbal, written, interpersonal, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with varied audiences.

• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to build trust, establish credibility, and work effectively across departments, academic units, and leadership teams.

• Sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and the ability to navigate complex organizational relationships.

•  Entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to anticipate needs, adapt to changing priorities, and creatively address challenges.

•  Experience using data and performance measures to evaluate engagement, improve programs, and guide strategic decisions.

• Demonstrated proficiency with CRM systems, online community platforms, event registration tools, email marketing systems, or comparable technology.

• Experience developing and managing segmented communications and digital engagement strategies.

• Strong commitment to The New School’s mission and to accessible, inclusive, and audience-centered engagement.

• Availability to work some evenings and weekends and travel occasionally, as required.

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement. Hybrid work arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the role and operational needs. Any such arrangement must be discussed and approved in advance by the appropriate division lead or their designee. #LI-Onsite

SALARY RANGE: $108,000- $112,000

WHY JOIN US?

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.

BENEFITS AT THE NEW SCHOOL

The New School is committed to supporting the well-being and success of our faculty and staff. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their eligible dependents. Highlights include:

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Financial Wellness

• Retirement plan administered by TIAA

• Qualified Transportation Expense Plan

• Work-Life Balance

• Paid vacation and sick leave, with accruals starting on your first day

• Paid holidays and floating holidays

• Workmode & Telework Policy (if applicable)

• Professional Growth

• Career advancement and professional development opportunities

• Access to university programs, lectures, and events featuring world-renowned speakers and organizations

• Tuition waiver benefit for eligible employees and dependents

• Employee discounts with local vendors and service providers

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.