The posting
Williams College seeks an Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement for Shared Interest Programs (SIP) to provide strategic leadership and engagement opportunities for communities of alumni expressly created around a shared interest or experience, outside of traditional class-based structures and beyond the scope of established alumni affinity networks. This includes shared interest developed through athletic teams, recognized student organizations/clubs, majors/departments, residential life, and more.
The Assistant Director will manage and collaborate deeply with alumni volunteers to organize gatherings, events, communications, and other moments of connection between and among alumni, as well as between alumni and students in groups that share these interests. Annually, this will take the form of ~20-25 large-scale campus gatherings, smaller regional gatherings, virtual SIP reunions, and alumni storytelling opportunities.
As such, this role involves considerable event planning, strategic thinking, program execution, marketing production, and deep collaboration with alumni, campus partners, faculty and academic departments, and external vendors. A creative, energetic, and empathic team, Alumni Engagement is looking for candidates with strong communication and tech skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities, and demonstrated professional experience in volunteer management, program management, event coordination, or comparable field of endeavor.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Executive Director of Alumni Relations, the Assistant Director aims to ensure that opportunities for connection outside of traditional class structures are representative of the diverse interests of alumni and are available and accessible to alumni that may wish to engage. This role will be a part of the Alumni Engagement events group, working closely with colleagues to ensure consistent alumni experiences for large-scale gatherings. By developing Shared Interest Programs that meet the interests and needs of alumni, the Assistant Director works to sustain the mission of the institution long after graduation—generating goodwill and renewed connection, cultivating and stewarding alumni for volunteerism and philanthropy, and encouraging lifelong relationships with the College.
This position works in partnership and deep collaboration across Alumni Engagement, the broader Office of College Relations, and with many partners in Athletics, Campus Life, the Davis Center, academic departments and programs, and other areas of the college mostly closely involved in student experiences that align with alumni interests.
Specific responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Program & Event Management: Lead, manage, and execute ~20-25 Shared Interest Program (SIP) events and reunions each year, actively managing large numbers of SIP volunteers and college partners throughout the event planning process.
- Affinity Connection: Cultivate lifelong affinity across alumni cohorts, focusing specifically on young alumni and under-engaged populations most likely to connect through shared interest, while facilitating student-alumni interactions as opportunities arise.
- Volunteer Management: Proactively track milestone years for major student groups, teams, and activities, intentionally cultivating groups of volunteer leaders to serve as thought and execution partners.
- Multi-Channel Communications: Design and manage marketing collateral (emails, invitations, print, web pages) and establish communication channels (listservs, dynamic lists) that support connection.
- Athletic Partnerships: Partner directly with coaches, athletic staff, and team alumni networks to plan, coordinate, and execute athletic gatherings, alumni-athlete games, team milestone events, and other stewardship opportunities.
- Alumni Reflections: Collect reflections and stories from alumni that commemorate key milestones and faculty/staff retirements.
- Reunion Ranger Student Program: Co-manage a comprehensive Reunion Ranger program of 60+ student employees.
- Team Collaboration & Culture: Provide continuous feedback and insights to colleagues, actively contributing to a team culture of learning, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience in volunteer management, program management, event coordination, or comparable field of endeavor; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to cultivate relationships with broadly diverse groups of alumni, faculty, staff, students, vendors, etc. Demonstrated interest in working with volunteers and undergraduate students, and skills to support that work.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and execute a high volume of events through all phases of planning and delivery, including reporting on program and event outcomes.
- Independent professional judgment to accomplish program and event goals, particularly in solving last-minute challenges that may arise.
- Comfort in an environment where most work is done electronically, with demonstrated interest in learning new systems and platforms. Experience with financial reconciliation systems, or demonstrated willingness to learn.
- Organizational and problem solving skills with an ability to prioritize and execute multiple competing projects and tasks.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proactive collaboration across a range of campus partners as a fundamental priority. Demonstrated ability and interest in producing email campaigns, event invitations, newsletters, print collateral, and web pages.
- Ability to navigate campus and to travel in order to meet with alumni and produce events.
A cover letter is required for your application to be considered. Please attach a cover letter as a separate document with your application. This will provide an opportunity for you to share how your experiences align with the specific requirements of this position, as well as the mission and values of the college.
Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.
Hybrid on-site/remote work arrangements may be available for up to 2 days of remote work per week for employees based in MA, NY, CT, or VT, following a fully in-person onboarding period. Remote work arrangements are subject to review and revision as policy evolves.
Application review will begin on November 3, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Pay range is $68,000 - $80,000 commensurate with experience.
Please visit https://careers.williams.edu/ to apply.
ALL employees must have completed an I-9 BEFORE they can begin work.
Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at [email protected].
