Senior Director of Alumni Clubs

This position is Hybrid with in office days located in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Working for the Purdue For Life Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to empowering Purdue University alumni and fostering a lifelong connection to the institution.

By joining our team, you'll have the chance to contribute to a mission that supports educational initiatives, scholarships, and programs that positively impact the lives of Purdue students and graduates.

The Foundation's commitment to education and community engagement provides a fulfilling work environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the broader community.

Additionally, you'll have access to a network of passionate colleagues and the resources needed to drive positive change, making the Purdue For Life Foundation an inspiring and rewarding place to build your career.

This is an incredible opportunity to help people who love Purdue stay connected, get involved, and give back. Be part of Purdue’s history and future by leading the oldest Purdue Alumni Association program, Alumni Clubs.

Dating back to 1890, passionate Purdue alumni set up the first alumni clubs in Chicago and Indianapolis to connect alumni to each other and the university.

Today, this program has expanded to include 73 alumni clubs in cities across the United States. The Senior Director of Alumni Clubs is responsible for setting and executing strategy to support and grow alumni engagement through alumni club communications, alumni club events, and alumni club scholarships.

We are seeking an engaging, people-focused individual with extensive volunteer management and exceptional customer service experience.

The most successful candidates will have a passion for serving and advancing Purdue University, a demonstrated history of working in partnership with volunteers, and the ability to positively inspire and encourage others.

Experience working in alumni relations is highly desired.

Essential Functions

• Lead and advance alumni engagement through the Purdue Alumni Clubs program.
• Develop volunteer partners (club leaders) to help alumni, friends and fans stay connected, get involved and give back, and inspire and support these volunteers to partner in the work of serving and advancing Purdue University.
• Facilitate and strengthen alumni relationships with Purdue by helping volunteers promote and organize alumni engagement events, alumni communications, and alumni club scholarships.
• Recruit, train, support and recognize approximately 400 alumni volunteers across the United States.
• Ensure an excellent volunteer experience by provide timely responses and support to volunteer leaders.
• Provide resources to help volunteers be successful in engaging alumni in their communities.
• Provide adequate onboarding of new volunteers.
• Provide ongoing training for existing volunteers.
• Recognize and celebrate volunteer service and contributions.
• Recruit new volunteers for continued club leadership.
• Execute strategic initiatives in the Purdue for Life and Engagement strategic plan to grow engagement through the Purdue Alumni Club program, including :
• Increase alumni club engagement through volunteerism and events (approximately 750 events annually).
• Increase alumni club event attendance (approximately 10,000 attendees annually).
• Increase dollars raised for club scholarship program.
• Promote Purdue Alumni Association Memberships with club leadership at events and in alumni club communications.
• Oversee alumni club recognition programs and engagement funding through dues-sharing agreement, supported by Purdue Alumni Association membership funds.
• Oversee alumni club scholarship program.
• Oversee and ensure responsive and clear communications with alumni club leader volunteers.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead and manage three full time positions working in the Alumni Clubs program.
• Travel to club events as needed - Provide public speaking for club events
• Develop and cultivate emerging clubs across U.S.
• Work with volunteer leader advisory committee.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong ability to lead and influence others.
• Strong volunteer management skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, including project leadership and management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong ability to relate well with people from various cultures and backgrounds.
• Strong ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Required Education / Experience and Benefits

• Master’s degree required in business, management, hospitality, organizational leadership, communication, marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 5-10 years experience in :
• Volunteer management
• Customer service
• Event planning
• Training
• Leading and supervising staff
• Salesforce, Ascend, or other Customer Marketing Software or database management preferred.
• Significant experience with and ease in public speaking.
• Experience working in alumni relations, specifically in an advancement organization or alumni association preferred.

Benefits Summary for eligible employees :

• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Accrue up to 22 vacation days a year.
• Traditional pre-tax 403(b) and Roth retirement plans available.
• 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan and immediate vesting.
• Health Savings Account- earn up to $450 annually towards medical expenses.
• Employer funded Preventative Dental and Vision insurance.
• Tuition discounts on eligible programs at Purdue University and Purdue Global for qualified employees, spouses, and dependents.

About Purdue for Life Foundation

The Purdue for Life Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Purdue for Life views, evaluates, and treats all persons in all Foundation-related activities solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics.

All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

Purdue for Life will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.

A criminal conviction check and negative controlled substance test are required for employment in this position.