Director of Alumni Relations

The Pennington School • Pennington, NJ

1d • $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Pennington School seeks an energetic and relationship-driven Director of Alumni Relations to lead the strategic planning and implementation of alumni engagement programs domestically and abroad. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Director of Alumni Relations plays a key role in strengthening alumni connections to the School and expanding alumni engagement as part of the School's upcoming capital campaign. The Pennington School is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school serving students in Grades 6 through 12. Pennington is committed to developing individual excellence in all of its students and fostering a supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• Five-plus years of advancement or alumni relations experience; experience in an independent school or in higher education preferred
• Proven relationship-building skills and enthusiasm for alumni engagement and community-building; outgoing, and enthusiastic about The Pennington School
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated experience in event planning and program management
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Event planning experience
• Proficiency with database and CRM systems; experience with Raiser's Edge and Veracross preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sheets, and Google Docs
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel, occasionally on weekends
• A desire to be an active member of a community that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required

Nice To Haves

• Pennington School alumni preferred
• Knowledge of independent schools, including familiarity with the Pennington School community
• Volunteer management experience is a plus

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and grow premier alumni events such as Homecoming, the New York City Holiday Reception, Fin/Tech Night, regional receptions, virtual programs, and international programs, including the Asia Alumni Festival. Track and document attendance and engagement outcomes for each event.
• Increase programming for young alumni (one to ten years post-Pennington) and oversee college campus outreach in key cities, including a minimum of seven to ten campus visits annually in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications and Marketing to develop and manage alumni communications, including print and electronic materials, photography, videography, social media campaigns, and the monthly alumni e-newsletter
• Serve as an ambassador for fundraising initiatives and partner with advancement colleagues to ensure alumni engagement programs support a culture of philanthropy and alumni giving
• Manage alumni volunteer networks, including Alumni Association Board, reunion chairs, class correspondents, Scholarship Classic Committee members, Diversity Committee members, Alumni Association Board members, Asia Alumni Committee members, and college ambassadors; develop strategies to recruit new members, and maintain a strong pipeline of engaged alumni volunteers
• Identify and recommend candidates for Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame in partnership with the Head of School and Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives; coordinate nomination process, committee review, and selection
• Partner with advancement colleagues to identify alumni prospects for the Pennington Leadership Council
• Maintain accurate contact reports and ensure alumni records and engagement data are updated within the School's database
• Collaborate with the Horizon Program, Office of College Counseling, and academic departments to connect students and alumni through LinkedIn, mentorship, and internship programs, and speaking engagements
• Manage the annual Golf and Tennis Scholarship Classic to support financial aid through sponsorships, raffle donations, and silent auction coordination
• Develop and manage alumni programming budgets and maintain expenditures within departmental guidelines
• Support and advance the School's mission, values, and culture
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• The Pennington School offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as life, short-term, and long-term disability programs, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director