Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement & Events

Working in close partnership with the Director of Alumni Engagement, the Assistant Director helps translate the college’s alumni engagement strategy into meaningful programs, events, and experiences that strengthen connections between alumni and Tippie.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of a diverse portfolio of alumni engagement events from concept through completion.
• Manage all aspects of event logistics including venue selection, vendor coordination, catering, registration, budgets, timelines, audiovisual needs, staffing, travel arrangements, and post-event assessment.
• Serve as the primary onsite event manager responsible for setup, execution, troubleshooting, guest experience, and event breakdown.
• Develop and implement communication plans that promote alumni events and engagement opportunities.
• Create and edit event-related communications using email, web, social media, and print materials.
• Oversee Tippie alumni email inboxes and serve as a main point of communication to alumni.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, volunteers, students, faculty, staff, advisory boards, campus partners, and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to create meaningful engagement opportunities that advance the college’s strategic priorities.
• Provide exceptional customer service before, during, and after events.
• Manage alumni webpage, including online event registration systems and web content supporting alumni engagement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate event records, registration data, attendance reports, and engagement metrics using Salesforce, Qualtrics, Microsoft Excel, Zoom, and University systems.
• Generate mailing and communication lists in accordance with University and University of Iowa Center for Advancement guidelines.
• Partner closely with the Director of Alumni Engagement to develop and implement the college’s alumni engagement strategy, with particular responsibility for translating strategic priorities into programs, events, and experiences.
• Identify and recommend new approaches to alumni engagement that increase participation, strengthen connections, and respond to evolving alumni interests and needs.
• Utilize surveys, participation data, and industry best practices to improve engagement strategies and event effectiveness.
• Maintain and monitor alumni event budgets.
• Manage vendor contracts and expenditures while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
• Recommend budget priorities and future investments that enhance alumni programming and event quality.
• Provide functional supervision for any student employees or volunteers supporting alumni engagement events.
• Foster collaboration among colleagues, volunteers, and campus partners to ensure exceptional event execution.
• Regularly serve as an event host and emcee, welcoming guests, delivering brief remarks, and introducing speakers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3-5 years relevant experience in event planning or program management, communications, marketing, or public relations.
• Ability and willingness to regularly work outside of standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings, to support event programming and execution.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, including planning, organizing, budgeting, coordinating, and executing in-person and virtual programs and events with responsibility for logistics and event production.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating marketing, communication, and engagement strategies.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Proficiency working in a highly computerized environment, including experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Zoom, databases, and other relevant technology platforms.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet University of Iowa Fleet Safety Program driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with academic programs, alumni engagement, philanthropy, and/or institutional advancement initiatives.
• Knowledge of University of Iowa policies and procedures.

About the College

Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We have nearly 6,000 students within undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs spanning six academic departments—accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are home to eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We’re over 59,000 alumni—and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings and holds the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), maintained since 1923. Our leadership embraces our responsibility to pursue academic excellence within a welcoming environment where every student can thrive.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular salaried position.
• Regular evening work outside of the standard 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule is required, as many Tippie alumni programs and events take place during evening hours.
• Off-campus travel up to six times per year to support alumni events throughout Iowa and in key markets across the country, with occasional overnight stays based on event schedules and locations.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Health, dental, life, and disability insurance options.
• Generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
• 24/7 support services and well-being resources.
• Access to UI Health Care specialists.
• Professional development opportunities, including advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Pay

Pay Level 4A.