Overview
The College of Arts & Sciences at Utah State University seeks a highly organized and proactive Advancement Specialist I to lead and manage the college’s alumni engagement and volunteer relations efforts. This position plays a key leadership role in managing the advancement board and subcommittees—including the Arts Advancement Council—while developing new, strategic alumni programs that foster long-term connection and support for the college.
Working closely with the Advancement Events & Operations Coordinator, Development Officers, University Advancement, and the College Dean’s Office, this role will oversee board committee operations, drive alumni engagement strategy, and play a key role in donor stewardship and event coordination. This role requires a high level of professionalism through direct engagement with top university donors and academic administrators.
This position is based in Logan, Utah, with occasional travel, evening, and weekend hours required.
Responsibilities
Board & Volunteer Management (40%)
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for advancement-related boards and subcommittees, including the Arts Advancement Council.
- Serve as the main liaison between the college and board members, leading monthly communication, planning quarterly meetings, and follow-up.
- Ensure fundraising initiatives align with college advancement priorities, guide subcommittee chairs, and facilitate collaboration.
- Manage board involvement and engagement outcomes to guide future planning and improvements, Including board member attendance at meetings, annual giving requirements, connector meetings, term limits, and member charter expectations.
- Ensuring board members abide by the by-laws for each board
- Identify and onboard new high-level board and committee members who can support the college’s mission.
Event Planning & Alumni Relations (35%)
- Lead the creation and implementation of new alumni programs that cultivate lifelong engagement and support.
- For Example: Collaborate with passionate alumni to create the Aggie Medical Network supporting Pre-Med students with mentorship opportunities with current Aggie med-school students and alumni working in the medical field.
- Independently plan, promote, and execute local and national advancement events such as donor receptions, alumni gatherings, theatrical performances, concerts, etc.
- Oversee and manage local and out of state event logistics including venue booking, catering, contracts, A/V, registration, staffing, and follow-up.
- Develop and implement targeted alumni engagement strategies in collaboration with University Advancement, focusing on increasing alumni engagement, volunteerism, and philanthropic support.
- Evaluate event outcomes and alumni engagement metrics to inform strategic planning, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with college advancement goals.
- Collaborate with the Strategic Enrollment & Management Team to develop an industry relations / corporate engagement strategy for the
- College of Arts and Sciences to grow internship and experiential learning opportunities for students through alumni connections.
Communications & Operations Support (25%)
- Manage and regularly update advancement and alumni content on the college website to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with messaging goals.
- Collaborate with the college’s marketing team and project managers to increase visibility of local and national advancement events.
- Collects and analyzes data; captures post-event data and evaluates event ROI; prepares scheduled and special reports; maintains records and statistical information related to the college’s advancement efforts.
- Create and implement new processes tracking when alumni return to campus and a nomination and selection process for distinguished alumni recognition.
- Manage purchasing and budget tracking for advancement and alumni relations activities within the college.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Four (4) years of relevant experience OR a combination of education and experience (e.g., 2 years’ experience + 2 years education).
- Valid Utah driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles to travel for events or donor meetings.
- Availability to work evenings and weekends for performances, exhibitions, and receptions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with arts-related or higher education advancement and events.
- Familiarity with USU systems or advancement operations in a university setting.
- Demonstrated success in alumni relations or volunteer management.
- Budget and event planning experience.
- Experience supervising student workers, interns, or volunteers.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong communication and writing skills, including proposals and reports.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with CRM systems, event platforms, or scholarship tools (e.g., Scholarship Universe) is a plus.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines.
- Discretion with confidential information and the ability to build trust with donors and stakeholders.
- Creative problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.
Work Environment:
- Primarily office-based with flexibility for hybrid work.
- Requires availability for evening/weekend events.
- May involve occasional travel, including out-of-state meetings or events.
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:
1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits.
ADA
Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. Frequent sitting, computer use, and communication (verbal/written) required.
College/Department Highlights
https://artsci.usu.edu/
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.
USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected].
*updated 12/2025
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Matthew Pinner
Executive Director
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
[email protected]
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
Cody Carmichael
Title IX Coordinator
[email protected]
435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| [email protected]
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | [email protected]
*updated 10/2025
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