Title

Director of Alumni & Student Engagement

Department Summary

From Bridgewater State University's inception in 1840 by Horace Mann as one of the first normal schools in America to the current day, BSU has worked to ensure that our students receive an accessible, affordable, and exceptional education. BSU aspires to be the leader in our mission class for closing equity gaps for Black/Cape Verdean, Latinx, Native American, Asian, and other students of color. BSU's institutional values, the work of the President's Special Task Force on Racial Justice, and leadership of the Leading for Change Higher Education Diversity Consortium underscore the campus' commitment to racial equity and other forms of social justice.

The Office of Alumni & Development is dedicated to enriching and advancing the experience for all students and building a student-centered culture with a commitment to inclusion and innovation. We are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included. When you join the team at Bridgewater State University, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.

Position Summary

The Director of Alumni & Student Engagement provides leadership for the Bridgewater Alumni Association, representing 85,000+ alumni throughout the world. Working with the Chief Development Officer and the Executive Director of Alumni and Development, s/he will develop and guide the Bridgewater Alumni Association board of directors, and various organized alumni committees and affinity groups in engagement and fundraising initiatives that support the university's strategic priorities. As well, in collaboration with the director of major and corporate giving s/he will oversee the university's marquee mentorship program to foster student engagement and strengthen alumni networking opportunities that help alumni to build lifelong connections with their alma mater. Serving as a member of the leadership team, the incumbent will strategically plan, oversee, and evaluate alumni engagement and recognition events and programs including but not limited to BSU's Homecoming Weekend, young alumni engagement, work with the Alumni team to align alumni relations priorities with the fundraising goals of the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, manage staff and volunteers, plan the monthly newsletter, compose written and electronic communications, and facilitate committee-based alumni volunteer leadership activities.

Supervision Received: Reports to the Chief Development Officer

Supervision Exercised: Supervision over professional, administrative staff, volunteers and students

This position is an exempt, APA unit position and is subject to the terms of that union agreement.

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, some nights, and weekends

Essential Duties

1. Supervise and manage the work of the alumni relations staff and student employees. Set goals and create a strategic plan to increase and diversify alumni involvement and annual giving to the university. Oversee departmental procedures, communications, reporting, and budget planning.2. Work with and supervise the alumni relations staff in executing a series of events to involve alumni with the life of the university. These will include on-campus, public events such as Homecoming Weekend, affinity-based gatherings such as those sponsored by the university's 15+ alumni affinity groups, and off-campus events e.g. regional and national alumni receptions.3. Serve as liaison to Bridgewater Alumni Association Board (BAA) and facilitate the work of BAA subcommittees, as well as other alumni volunteer boards and councils including the Afro Am Alumni Association. Prepare agendas for board meetings and carry out follow-up and liaison with other campus groups and divisions as needed.4. Manage and expand the University's Reunion Giving Program, working with class committees to plan appropriate reunion events, including being well-versed in gift solicitation with class fundraising committees.5. In conjunction with the director of corporate and major giving, implement and manage the alumni engagement pipeline by strengthening the student-alumni connection via the newly developed Alumni Mentorship Program.6. Collaborate with the development staff to drive the success of Annual Giving Day initiatives, including engaging student affinity groups when appropriate, and leveraging alumni connections to maximize participation and support.7. Oversee both print and electronic alumni communications by collaborating with Marketing Communications staff on the Bridgewater Magazine and other printed and electronic pieces, including the monthly alumni newsletter.8. Work with the Executive Director and the Chief Development Officer to plan and implement new projects as needed, for example, activities associated with the comprehensive Without Exception campaign.9. Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. Education: Bachelor's degree2. Experience and Leadership: 7 years of progressively responsible experience in student engagement and/or alumni relations and development experience, including staff, volunteer, program and event management responsibility, with at least 3 years of experience as senior management or director capacity.3. Strategy: Experience in strategic departmental goal planning, evaluation, and budget management.4. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and engage effectively with colleagues, student organizations, volunteers, board members, and high-level donors and prospects. Ability to think innovatively about how to communicate and engage in ways that reach across a diverse and broad constituent base. Highly collaborative, with a proven ability to build consensus across competing priorities and complex environments, navigate sensitive conversations, and manage relationships with professionalism and diplomacy. Exceptional public speaking and ability to inspire and motivate a diverse group of alumni, staff and volunteers to embrace the university's mission through effective verbal communication and compelling written messaging.5. Board Management: Experience with and understanding of board recruitment, management and governance.6. Events: Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and host philanthropic and alumni events that effectively "bring alumni home" and reengage alumni with their alma mater;7. Technology: Familiarity with technology in a windows environment. Proficiency with constituent relationship management and alumni software systems;8. Professionalism: Demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical conduct and high professional standards, consistently modeling integrity, accountability, and sound judgment. Ability to inspire confidence and foster trust among staff, volunteers, and stakeholders while reinforcing alignment with the university's mission and values. Ability to handle confidential information and maintain privacy. Leads by example in promoting a culture of respect, inclusivity, and excellence, and effectively motivates others to engage meaningfully and represent the institution with pride and professionalism.9. Flexibility: Some travel is required, as well as the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Education: Master's degree. BSU alumnus who demonstrates an affinity for their alma mater preferred.2. Metrics: Familiarity using data driven metrics to measure the success of engagement and communication initiatives.3. Experience: Demonstrated knowledge of higher education systems, student engagement strategies, and equitable practices, with a proven ability to build collaborative partnerships across internal stakeholders and external community organizations.4. Technology: Knowledge of Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge or other relationship database management platform preferred; Knowledge of and familiarity with social media platforms related to student, alumni donor and volunteer communications in a variety of channels.

Work Environment

Bridgewater State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employee with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please complete and submit this electronic form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BridgewaterStateUniv&layout_id=18

Special Conditions for Eligibility

Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State University is an E-Verify employer.

EEO Statement

Bridgewater State University is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

Position Type

APA Professional

Salary Range

$100,000-$120,000

Posting Number

S01338P

Open Date

06/30/2026

Close Date

08/09/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please note the following information is required to complete your application for this position:

* A minimum of three (3) professional reference entries in space provided on the application form.
* Resume/CV
* Cover LetterPDN-a226c89a-ed15-450e-acd5-2b1f1a894457