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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Why Join Us?

• Build lifelong connections – Create opportunities that keep Aztecs connected to SDSU long after graduation.
• Bring people together – Develop events, programs, and experiences that connect alumni, students, volunteers, and the university.
• Shape the student-to-alumni journey – Help students build a connection to SDSU that continues throughout their lives.
• Make every day a little different – Work across events, communications, volunteer engagement, campus partnerships, and special initiatives while collaborating with people throughout the SDSU community.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation.

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.

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.

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.