Assistant Director - Affinity Engagement

About the Opportunity

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement works collaboratively to foster meaningful and lifelong relationships between the university and alumni from diverse cultural backgrounds and identities.  Responsibilities of this position include spearheading a number of initiatives including collaborating with all of the Northeastern cultural centers, building out diverse affinity groups, and engaging a variety of alumni volunteers in initiatives and programs that support and promote cultural diversity within the alumni community. 

The Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement is a key team member who will support Alumni Relations’ broad affinity engagement strategy that aims to meet the needs of alumni through their experiences, interests, identity, and geography and will:

• Develop and implement strategies to actively engage alumni from diverse cultural identities, including but not limited to ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, first generation graduates and other underrepresented groups. 
• Design and execute programs, events and initiatives that cater to the interests and needs of diverse alumni communities.
• Create opportunities for networking, mentorship and connection among alumni and students with shared identities and experiences. 
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with diverse alumni, fostering a sense of connection and belonging to the university.
• Manage a portfolio of culturally based affinity groups and conduct personal visits with alumni to better understand their needs.
• Partner with alumni volunteers, affinity groups, Northeastern cultural centers and cultural based student organizations to leverage their support and involvement in engagement efforts.
• Develop communication strategies to effectively reach diverse alumni populations through various channels, including social media, newsletters and targeted outreach campaigns.
• Track and analyze alumni data to evaluate effectiveness of diversity initiatives and inform future programming.
• Stay informed about best practices and trends in diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education and alumni engagement fields. 

The Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement must be able to represent the university, the Advancement division, Alumni Relations, and Annual Giving in a professional, enthusiastic manner with a customer service and team focus. As a member of the Advancement Division, it is essential for the Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement to understand and support the role philanthropy plays in engaging the Northeastern community. Frequent work on weekday evenings along with some weekends and periodic travel are required. This position will perform their duties, in person, on the Boston campus.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities         

Cultural and Identity based Affinity Engagement and Volunteer Management

Work collaboratively to foster meaningful and lifelong relationships between the university and alumni from diverse cultural backgrounds and identities. 

Develop and implement strategies to actively engage alumni from diverse cultural identities, including but not limited to ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, first generation graduates and other underrepresented groups. 

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with diverse alumni, fostering a sense of connection and belonging to the university.

Manage a portfolio of culturally based affinity groups and conduct personal visits with alumni to better understand their needs.

Partner with alumni volunteers, affinity groups, Northeastern cultural centers and cultural based student organizations to leverage their support and involvement in engagement efforts.

Develop communication strategies to effectively reach diverse alumni populations through various channels, including social media, newsletters and targeted outreach campaigns.

Event Planning and Production

Design and execute programs, events and initiatives that cater to the interests and needs of diverse alumni communities.

Create opportunities for networking, mentorship and connection among alumni and students with shared identities and experiences. 

Track and analyze alumni data to evaluate effectiveness of diversity initiatives and inform future programming.

Team Operations
Support team operations and help manage inquiries (email, phone, and mail) from alumni, campus, community, and the general public. Support Advancement Resources by following procedures to maintain accurate and updated information (completing contact reports) and addresses for alumni.

Bachelor's degree required. Three to five years of experience in a combination of alumni relations, student affairs or related area, with event planning and volunteer management experience.  Demonstrated understanding of diversity issues and cultural competency, with the ability to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds.  Excellent attention to detail with a strong organizational, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills as well as a strong customer service focus, is a must.  Proven ability to plan and execute programs and events, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.  The ideal candidate will possess a high level of self-confidence, creativity, enthusiasm, self-motivation, and energy to undertake diverse responsibilities and be able to work independently and in a team environment.  A strong public speaker with the ability to interact with many constituencies, while building strong relationships and partnerships is essential to the success of this position.
 

The ability to do some lifting of heavy items and/or use of a hand truck for event supplies and equipment is required.

Position Type

Advancement

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.  

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other  characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity .