ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

This position is responsible for coordinating alumni outreach programs and event engagement. The position facilitates alumni engagement through a variety of in-person and virtual events, affinity group initiatives, and digital engagement platforms. This position is also responsible for supervising student employees/intern(s).

Bachelor’s degree.
Three years of experience in alumni relations, event management, student programming, public relations, hospitality services, or a related field.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability to travel and work evenings/weekends.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Five years of experience in alumni relations, event management, student programming, public relations, hospitality services, or a related field.
Experience with higher education events and volunteer management.
Experience working with and understanding diverse communities.
Experience with event management and coordinating in-person and virtual events.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Knowledge or ability to learn software platforms including: Canva, Fundraising Performance Management, Millennium, Thankview, and/or similar programs.

Alumni Affinity Groups:
Serves as the staff liaison to various affinity groups, including the Black and Latine Alumni Chapters, Honors Alumni Chapter, Fraternity & Sorority Alumni Chapter, program-based alumni groups, corporate partners, and more.
Coordinates on-campus event logistics and coordinates group fundraising initiatives.

Signature Events:
Leads and collaborates with the Alumni Engagement team on large-scale annual events such as Homecoming, Reunions, the Alumni Awards Ceremony, Golf Outings, Grandparents U, weekend trips, and signature sporting events.

Digital Platforms:
Collaborates with the Communications Manager on the department’s social media strategy, webpage management, and overall communication plans.
Coordinates with the Communications Manager to oversee Alumni content on digital platforms, including the MobileUp smartphone application, YoDeck campus screen displays, and the Sitefinity website application to enhance alumni engagement.
Ensures that all digital content is current regarding alumni programs, events, fundraisers, and nomination deadlines, while maintaining consistency with the university brand.

Alumni Association and Board Support:
Serves as a staff liaison to the National Alumni Association Board of Directors and assists committees as needed.
Assists the Deputy Chief of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement and the Director of Alumni & Donor Engagement with alumni volunteer program development and implementation.

Alumni Outreach and Engagement:
Assists with alumni outreach programs and event engagement.
Coordinates in-person and virtual events for regional alumni groups, initiates meetings, and manages expectations.
Assists Advancement partners and various campus areas with event programming support.

Supervision:
Supervises and manages the Alumni Events Assistant (intern) and student employee tasks and schedules, providing guidance and overseeing their contributions to alumni programs.
Represents the university and the Alumni Association with pride and integrity.
Performs other duties as assigned.

None.

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before Friday, February 20, 2026.

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

If you wish to see “Know Your Rights ” posters, please click here.

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Phone: 989-774-3253
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: titleix@cmich.edu