Vice President of Alumni Relations

About the role

The Vice President of Alumni Relations (VPAR) serves as a senior executive leader for the Marshall University Foundation, responsible for shaping and driving a comprehensive, institution-wide strategy for alumni engagement. Reporting to the President & CEO/SVP of Advancement, the VPAR provides high-level vision, direction, and oversight for the MUAA, all alumni relations programs, communications, and services that strengthen lifelong connection with more than 120,000 alumni worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Establish a clear, compelling vision for alumni engagement that reflects Marshall’s values, traditions, and aspirations, positioning the department as a strategic driver of institutional success.
• Develop multi-year engagement strategies that expand the reach, depth, and diversity of alumni involvement, with measurable goals tied to participation, volunteerism, and philanthropic outcomes.
• Use data-driven insights to identify emerging trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and refine strategies that strengthen alumni affinity and institutional loyalty.
• Cultivate a vibrant, engaged alumni community that celebrates Marshall’s history, amplifies alumni achievements, and reinforces the University’s role as a lifelong home.
• Elevate the visibility of alumni impact through storytelling, recognition programs, and strategic communications that inspire pride and engagement.
• Serve as the primary Foundation liaison to the Marshall University Alumni Association Board of Directors, ensuring the Board is well-supported, well-informed, and positioned to fulfill its governance responsibilities.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Board President and Executive Committee, including agenda planning, meeting preparation, and alignment with University and Foundation priorities.
• Ensure all Board activities, decisions, and communications adhere to established bylaws, policies, and best practices in nonprofit governance.
• Facilitate Board development by identifying training needs, onboarding new directors, and cultivating a pipeline of future volunteer leaders.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to University and Foundation leadership on matters related to alumni engagement, volunteer leadership, and constituent relations.
• Build strong partnerships with campus units, including Athletics, Admissions, Career Education, Student Affairs, and academic colleges, to integrate alumni into the life of the University and support institutional goals.
• Ensure the department operates with clarity, accountability, and alignment, modeling collaborative leadership and a service-oriented approach.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate professional staff responsible for alumni engagement, volunteer management, communications, and chapter support, ensuring the team operates with shared purpose.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-caliber talent, fostering a culture that values creativity, data-informed decision-making, and exceptional service to alumni and campus partners.
• Provide coaching and professional development opportunities that strengthen staff capabilities and prepare team members for expanded responsibilities and future leadership roles.
• Oversee the Alumni Relations operating budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, alignment with strategic priorities, and adherence to Foundation financial policies.
• Develop annual budget proposals and long-range financial plans that support departmental growth, program expansion, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor expenditures, assess resource needs, and make data-driven adjustments in collaboration with the President & CEO to maximize impact and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in alumni relations, advancement, or related fields in which the candidate served in a non-profit cultivation leadership role.
• Proven ability to design and implement alumni engagement strategies across diverse regions and demographics.
• Strong financial management skills, with experience overseeing budgets and entrepreneurial projects.
• Experience leading alumni organizations with a minimum of 8,000 students enrolled annually and a minimum of 80,000 alumni.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire alumni, volunteers, and staff.
• Experience supervising staff with dignity, clarity, and strategic focus.
• Familiarity with CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics and benchmarking strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree.
• Experience leading alumni organizations with a minimum of 8,000 students enrolled annually and a minimum of 80,000 alumni.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire alumni, volunteers, and staff.
• Experience supervising staff with dignity, clarity, and strategic focus.
• Familiarity with CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics and benchmarking strongly preferred.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and ability to align alumni engagement with institutional priorities, fundraising strategy, and advancement services.
• Ability to drive for results while fostering a high-performing culture that supports both innovation and accountability.
• Continuous innovation for impact, leveraging data and benchmarking, including CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics, to guide decision-making and measure success.
• Personal action that models the values of stewardship, pride, and transparency in all interactions.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

Salary is commensurate upon education, experience and internal equity.

Schedule

Full-Time

Work Location

Other Off-Campus Location