The posting
Position Title:
Associate Director, Alumni & Parent Engagement Events
Work Type:
Full time
Location:
Swarthmore College
Approved Location Type:
Hybrid
Department:
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
The Opportunity:
The Associate Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement is a member of a team who design events and activities that engage alumni, parents, and friends with the College and its programs and that encourage participants to be actively supportive of the College’s goals and priorities. The Associate Director provides logistical direction to major events, including but not limited to Alumni Weekend and Garnet Weekend. The Associate Director helps manage the execution of all major event-related projects, including but not limited to such items as registration tools, reserving spaces, etc.
Essential Responsibilities:
● Directs logistics of major on campus alumni and parent events including but not limited to Alumni Weekend and Garnet Weekend. Responsible for the creation and on-going management of the master event schedule for both Garnet and Alumni Weekend, and for coordinating meetings with on-and off-campus partners to review and align on the schedule.
● Works with vendors, Advancement colleagues, and on-campus partners to insure event success.
● Direct strategic project planning, creative direction, logistical support, customer service, and execution of Advancement Division events, including but not limited to volunteer meetings, fundraising and prospect events, donor relations and stewardship events, affinity and regional engagement events, networking events, reunion events and activities, and virtual programs.
● Evaluates event success through data analysis, surveys, and individual feedback.
● Tracks spending to assist in supervisors’ budget management.
Qualifications
Required
● Bachelor’s degree.
● A minimum of five (5) years working in institutional advancement, or equivalent professional experience.
● Superior organizational abilities. Attention to detail and ability to handle multiple and varied tasks independently, while also working collaboratively.
● Superior written and oral communication skills.
● Skill in dealing with people, using tact and diplomacy, and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality. Strong customer service skills.
● Ability to articulate the value of higher education.
● Ability to use a variety of computer applications, including demonstrated skills in the use of word processing and spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs and Sheets), fundraising databases (e.g. Banner) and reporting software (e.g.
● Argos), Web page development software (e.g. Drupal), and social media (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn).
● Valid US driver’s license and ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally.
Preferred
● Advanced degree
● Experience working in a college or university setting
Physical Demands
● Ability to focus in a stationary position for extended periods, including at a desk in front of a computer.
● Documents may occasionally be stored in physical form and require positioning oneself to access file cabinets, remove files, and transport them, and require lifting of light-weight boxes.
● Incumbent must be able to meet the physical demands of off-campus travel for attending meetings or events.
Working Conditions
● Incumbent must be able to ride an elevator or climb stairs to get to office or work space.
● Office and work space environments are not individually controlled, resulting in possible variance from personal preferences or needs. Incumbent must be able to adapt to a range of conditions.
● On occasion, incumbent may be required to work outside of normal office hours, including nights and weekends, for such tasks as staffing events, meeting with constituents, or completing tasks required to meet deadlines. These responsibilities may require travel off-campus.
PA Criminal Clearance Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
Education Verification Required by Position
An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.
Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.
2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook
Retirement Plans
Tuition Grant Program
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Paid Time Off (Staff)
Holiday Schedule
Applications received are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. An optional cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position is preferred. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).
We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.
Swarthmore Benefits and Programs
Retirement Plans
Tuition Grant Program
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Paid Time Off (Staff)
Holiday Schedule
Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.
