Alumni Engagement Specialist (Alumni Relations Professional II)

About the Role

San Diego State University is seeking an Alumni Engagement Specialist to create meaningful opportunities for alumni, students, and volunteers to stay connected with SDSU. In this role, you’ll coordinate alumni programs, events, volunteer opportunities, career and mentoring initiatives, and communications that strengthen lifelong connections to the university. You’ll also manage the Aztec Proud student philanthropy program, collaborate with partners across campus, and help turn great ideas into engaging experiences for the SDSU community.

Responsibilities

• Alumni Engagement & Relationship Building
  • Coordinate programs that connect alumni with SDSU as volunteers, mentors, speakers, panelists, industry experts, and community partners.
  • Build collaborative relationships with alumni, campus departments, Development colleagues, and university partners.
  • Support regional events, networking and career programs, alumni chapters, admitted student send-offs, and other engagement initiatives.
  • Develop outreach and email communications that increase awareness and participation in alumni opportunities.
• Programs, Events & Operations
  • Coordinate alumni programs and events from planning through execution and follow-up.
  • Manage timelines, registration, event communications, vendors, budgets, logistics, and participant experiences.
  • Maintain alumni and event information using CRM and engagement platforms, including Ellucian and Hivebrite.
  • Track participation and program outcomes and use data to identify opportunities to strengthen engagement.
• Aztec Proud & Student Engagement
  • Manage the Aztec Proud student philanthropy program, including outreach, education, stewardship, volunteer activities, and campus partnerships.
  • Develop communications and engagement strategies that build student awareness and participation.
  • Help create a strong transition from student involvement to lifelong alumni engagement and philanthropy.
• Student & Volunteer Leadership
  • Provide lead work direction, training, scheduling, and guidance to Student Engagement Assistants.
  • Coordinate student employees and volunteers supporting alumni programs and major university events.
  • Develop training materials and processes that help deliver welcoming, high-quality experiences.

Requirements

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to independently coordinate multiple programs and projects, manage competing priorities, and meet established deadlines.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and evaluating programs, events, or engagement initiatives.
• Ability to develop and coordinate communications using email, social media, digital platforms, and other communication tools.
• Ability to analyze program outcomes and participation data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to programs and participant experiences.
• Ability to interpret and apply organizational policies and established procedures while exercising sound judgment in resolving non-routine issues.
• Experience providing work direction, training, or mentorship to student employees, staff, or volunteers.
• Strong organizational, project management, interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external constituents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of alumni engagement, volunteer management, student engagement, stewardship, and relationship-building practices within a higher education environment.
• Experience planning or supporting alumni engagement programs, volunteer initiatives, or campus partnership activities.
• Experience using constituent relationship management (CRM) systems or engagement platforms to maintain records, track participation, and prepare reports.
• Experience working in a higher education, alumni relations, development, or similar engagement-focused environment.

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

Pay

Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience, in alignment with the department’s budget and equity guidelines. Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 4 ($5,597/month). Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,274-$7,684 per month (Step 1-Step 20). Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

Schedule

Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. May occasionally be required to work evenings and/or weekends to attend events or perform duties outside normal work hours. Must also be able to travel to and attend off-campus appointments and events.

This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 2 days per week, following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

About the Department

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university’s vision and mission underscored in the SDSU strategic plan. Units of URAD work together to create enduring relationships with alumni, parents, donors, students, and the community to generate private support for SDSU students, faculty, and a diverse number of programs. URAD handles a range of services encompassing stewardship, events, gift administration, communications, and more.

Our fundraising success can be credited to the university’s goal of building a world-class university campus, research center, and multi-use stadium in Mission Valley to serve higher education, the public good, and the community’s goals and aspirations. SDSU has been recognized several times for its exceptional development program by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). With the support of loyal donors and in collaboration with SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff, the university cultivates lifelong relationships with more than 500,000 alumni, friends, and community members—advancing SDSU’s mission for generations to come.

For more information regarding the University Relations and Development department, click here.

For more information regarding the SDSU Alumni department, click here.