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Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association

( ILLINOIS | On-site )

About the Organization

Reporting to the Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development, the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will provide strategic direction and leadership for the Northwestern Alumni Association, focusing on the continued refinement and implementation of the Alumni Association’s strategic vision through programs, initiatives, and events that facilitate the growth in breadth and depth of alumni engagement. In this highly visible and critical role, the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will be both internally and externally facing and will cultivate strong relationships with alumni, volunteers, and administrators and faculty across the University. The Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will collaborate with Alumni Relations and Development colleagues, including those in the professional schools, to support the overall Alumni Relations and Development goals. Acting as an ambassador for Northwestern University and the Northwestern Alumni Association, the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will represent the University and Alumni Association at events and serve as an ex-officio member of the Northwestern Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Northwestern University is a preeminent global research university that is deeply interdisciplinary across multiple schools and units. Founded in 1851, Northwestern has campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. The University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries. Northwestern provides students, faculty, and staff exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth in a setting enhanced by the world-class city of Chicago.

Northwestern is uniquely positioned within the higher education sector. There are very few universities in the top ten that can boast the same level of excellence across arts, humanities, social sciences, and professional schools paired with a sizeable science, engineering, and medical complex. Northwestern is a founding member of the Big Ten Athletic Conference and sponsors 19 varsity teams that compete against the best in the nation. Student-athletes at Northwestern have the highest graduation rate among schools in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, which is the most competitive subdivision of the NCAA. In 2023, Northwestern won the national championship in women’s lacrosse and was the Big Ten champion in softball.

Northwestern is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive campus community. The four intertwined strands of access, equity, enrichment, and well-being guide the focus of the institution's work through the development and implementation of strategic equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives across the University.

The achievements of the University have been financially possible due to generous alumni and friends, and the translation of its powerful science enterprise. With an endowment of $13.7 billion (as of June 2023), Northwestern is among the best-endowed institutions in the world. The most recent comprehensive fundraising campaign, We Will: The Campaign for Northwestern, concluded in June 2021, with a total of $6.1 billion raised from 174,380 donors; when the Campaign launched publicly in March 2014 its goal was to raise $3.75 billion from at least 141,000 donors.

Job Description

Position reports to:  Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development

Position salary range:  The salary range for this position is $220,000 to $240,000 annually.

The Northwestern Alumni Association inspires Northwestern alumni intellectually, socially, and professionally through programs that spark lifelong curiosity, connection, and growth. The Alumni Association aspires to accomplish its vision of a global Northwestern alumni community who feels empowered, connected, and engaged through every stage of life. For more than 140 years, the Northwestern Alumni Association has connected alumni to one another and the University. The Alumni Association has evolved to meet the changing needs and interests of alumni through compelling programming and content aligned with their intellectual, social, and professional interests.

The successful candidate for the role of Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Alumni Association will be a compelling communicator with the experience and skill necessary to partner with and influence internal and external stakeholders. The Assistant Vice President and Executive Director will be an effective strategist, proven manager of high performing teams, and a leader who displays collegiality, empathy, and diplomacy. A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least ten years of experience leading a successful alumni relations, advancement, or similar engagement program is required for this role. Northwestern University will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the Alumni Association and the University, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Northwestern University and the Northwestern Alumni Association as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus.

Northwestern University is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Kim Farr at kimfarr@aspenleadershipgroup.com.