Director of Alumni Programs

America on Tech•New York, NY

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Director of Alumni Programs to lead and elevate the success of our alumni programs across all regions. This person is moved by the potential they see in students and energized by the opportunity to build on an already strong foundation of alumni engagement, career placement, and ongoing support. The ideal candidate is a seasoned educational leader with deep experience in alumni engagement programming, a track record of using data to tell compelling stories about impact, and the ability to operate seamlessly between big-picture strategy and day-to-day operational details. You will inherit and lead an established team of Program Managers and Senior Program Managers. You are a strategic leader who can step into an existing system, assess what's working, strengthen what needs improvement, and drive innovation that moves AOT's alumni programs to the next level. You are equally comfortable setting ambitious goals, rolling up your sleeves to solve operational challenges, and using data-driven storytelling to demonstrate impact to stakeholders. The Director of Alumni Programs will report directly to the VP of Programs, collaborating closely with the Leadership Team on strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Nonprofit Management, or a related field
5+ years of experience in educational leadership or nonprofit program management, with a proven track record of managing large-scale, multi-site programs, particularly in college-aged or young adult settings
3+ years of direct management experience, including leading, coaching, and developing teams. Demonstrated ability to build cohesive, high-performing teams and create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Demonstrated experience building and scaling alumni engagement programming, including career services, mentorship, networking events, and ongoing alumni support
Strong goal-setting and performance management skills, with the ability to set clear expectations, deliver direct feedback, hold team members accountable, and provide coaching that drives individual and team growth
Proven ability to navigate difficult situations with professionalism and care, including addressing performance issues, mediating conflict, and making tough decisions when necessary
Deep expertise in data collection, analysis, and storytelling, with the ability to use data to inform decision-making, demonstrate impact, and communicate program value to diverse stakeholders
Experience in budget management, including allocating resources across multiple programs and ensuring fiscal responsibility
Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to engage effectively with staff, alumni, community partners, funders, and senior leadership
Comfort operating in both the big picture and the details - able to set strategic vision while also executing day-to-day operations and problem-solving as needed
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and implement innovative solutions
Proficiency in Google Suite (especially Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, and Google Classroom) and experience working in a remote environment with collaboration tools (video conferencing, messaging platforms, project management software, etc.)

Nice To Haves

Experience working with alumni from underrepresented or underestimated communities
Familiarity with career readiness programming, including resume development, interview preparation, and job search support
Experience managing partnerships with corporate employers, particularly in the tech sector
Knowledge of workforce development trends and labor market insights relevant to early-career talent

Responsibilities

Assess and refine the existing alumni program strategy, building on what's working and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth
Set clear, measurable goals for alumni engagement, career placement, and program outcomes in alignment with AOT's Strategic Plan and organizational OKRs
Design and implement evaluation tools and procedures that capture both quantitative outcomes (internship placement rates, job offers, wage growth) and qualitative impact (alumni stories, career trajectory shifts, long-term engagement)
Regularly report on program outcomes, challenges, and successes to senior leadership using data-driven narratives that demonstrate impact and inform strategic decision-making
Drive innovation within alumni programs, exploring new approaches, technologies, and partnership models to enhance alumni engagement and career placement outcomes
Lead initiatives outlined in AOT's Strategic Plan, particularly around internship and job placements, alumni communication strategies, and long-term alumni services
Oversee the allocation and management of the alumni programs budget, ensuring resources are used efficiently and align with program goals
Manage all phases of programming, including hiring (full-time and part-time contractors), alumni recruitment for programs, day-to-day execution, and program implementation
Lead the ongoing development and implementation of systems to streamline and strengthen program operations, ensuring consistency and quality across all regions
Serve as the primary expert on all alumni program-related data, ensuring accurate tracking, analysis, and storytelling to drive programmatic decision-making and demonstrate impact to funders, partners, and leadership
Ensure all programs comply with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as organizational policies and educational standards
Step into alumni program manager roles as needed to ensure seamless program delivery
Lead, mentor, and support a team of Program Managers and Senior Program Managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
Assess team strengths, provide coaching and professional development tailored to individual and team needs, and ensure high levels of competency and engagement
Hold regular 1:1 and team meetings with direct reports to check in on employee morale, performance, and alignment with program goals
Deliver formative and evaluative feedback based on clear standards of expectations as laid out in the annual performance review process
Build team capacity in data collection, storytelling, and strategic thinking to ensure every team member contributes to program excellence
Establish, maintain, and expand relationships with colleges, community organizations, technology companies, and funders to support alumni career pathways
Lead efforts to acquire, retain, and grow new internship and job placement partners, leveraging your network and AOT's existing relationships
Be accountable for meeting and exceeding partner needs, managing issues, resolving challenges, and escalating strategically when necessary
Collaborate with the Development and Strategy teams to align alumni programming with broader fundraising and earned revenue initiatives
Build and maintain robust systems for tracking alumni engagement, career outcomes, and program impact
Translate data into compelling narratives that communicate the value and impact of alumni programs to funders, partners, board members, and the broader AOT community
Use data to identify trends, inform program adjustments, and drive continuous improvement
Develop case studies, alumni spotlights, and impact reports that demonstrate program success and inform future strategy
As part of a growing organization, contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and identify opportunities to improve quality and efficiency
Collaborate with leadership to build organization-wide best practices
Work cross-functionally with all departments to support AOT's mission and strategic priorities
Travel to program locations as needed (cadence determined based on budget and programmatic needs)
Complete additional duties as assigned