Assistant/Associate Director, Regional Engagement

About the role

The Assistant/Associate Director of Regional Engagement manages the strategy, design, implementation, and assessment of Denison’s regional alumni engagement efforts across key domestic markets. The position serves as the lead strategist for regional engagement, developing comprehensive regional plans that strengthen alumni connections, expand volunteer leadership, and increase meaningful participation among alumni communities.

Responsibilities

• Inform and advance the strategic direction of regional alumni engagement through innovative programming, proactive outreach, and responsive service to alumni communities.
• Develop and execute comprehensive regional engagement strategies for established, emerging, and priority markets aligned with institutional goals and advancement priorities.
• Analyze engagement data, participation trends, demographic shifts, and volunteer activity to identify opportunities for growth and expansion within regional networks.
• Establish annual goals, benchmarks, and performance indicators for regional engagement efforts and regularly assess outcomes.
• Collaborate with Advancement and campus partners to align regional programming with institutional priorities, admissions efforts, career networking initiatives, family engagement opportunities, and fundraising strategies.
• Ensure a balanced portfolio of in-person, virtual, and hybrid engagement opportunities that meet alumni where they live and engage.
• Research and implement industry best practices related to regional engagement, volunteer management, and alumni participation.
• Identify, launch, and support new regional alumni communities, affinity groups, and engagement opportunities in strategic markets.

Requirements

• Recruit, train, support, recognize, and steward a network of regional volunteer leaders across key geographic markets.
• Serve as the primary advisor to regional volunteer leaders regarding annual planning, volunteer recruitment and succession, event execution, communication strategies, and university policies.
• Partner with Senior Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement to develop leadership pipelines that identify, cultivate, and transition volunteers into expanded engagement and leadership opportunities across the institution.
• Create tools, resources, and best-practice guides that enable volunteers to successfully lead regional engagement activities.
• Foster collaboration among regional leaders to share successful programs, innovative ideas, and engagement strategies.
• Support volunteer involvement in presidential visits, campaign activities, admissions outreach, career networking initiatives, and other institutional priorities.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a robust portfolio of regional programs that advance alumni engagement goals and strengthen alumni connections to Denison.
• Partner with volunteers, alumni leaders, faculty, and university partners to create regionally relevant programming that reflects alumni interests and institutional strengths.
• Leverage regional data and engagement trends to customize programming strategies for specific markets and alumni populations.
• Coordinate event logistics, volunteer support, vendor relationships, and budget management for regional programs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through participation data, feedback, and engagement metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with Advancement Communications colleagues to ensure consistent, relevant, and timely communications supporting regional engagement efforts.
• Collaborate with volunteer leaders and campus partners to develop targeted outreach strategies that increase participation and awareness within regional markets.
• Support storytelling efforts that highlight alumni leadership, regional success stories, and opportunities for engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in alumni engagement, volunteer management, constituent relations, event management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building volunteer-led programs and managing geographically dispersed stakeholder groups.

Skills

• Strategic planning and implementation.
• Volunteer management and leadership development.
• Data analysis and trend identification.
• Event coordination and management.
• Communication and marketing.

Benefits

Denison University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 10% contribution to your retirement.
• 22 vacation days.
• 3 floating holidays.
• Paid campus closure from Christmas to New Years.
• Free parking and gym membership.
• Free classes for employees.
• Full tuition coverage for dependents.

Pay

Up to $77,000

Schedule

N/A