Associate Director of Affinity Engagement and Giving (Regional Programs)

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial socio-economic and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Associate Director of Affinity Engagement & Giving (Regional Programs) position. The Associate Director of Affinity Engagement & Giving (Regional Programs) is a full-time year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $68000 to $72000.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors including but not limited to relevant education training and experience tenure status and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

The Associate Director of Affinity Engagement & Giving (Regional Programs) plays a key role in building vibrant regional industry-based and special-interest communities that connect alumni to Amherst College and to one another. The position manages a broad and evolving portfolio including but not limited to regional programming industry networks special interest groups (such as Athletics) and signature initiatives like the AmherstWilliams Telecast virtual industry and career programs and targeted mini-campaigns that integrate engagement and philanthropy. The Associate Director designs and delivers programs events and giving opportunities that strengthen lifelong connection and philanthropy.

Reporting to the Director of Affinity Engagement & Giving the Associate Director provides strategic oversight for Amhersts major regional networks and select domestic and international communities. The role also serves as a liaison to campus partnersincluding but not limited to the Loeb Center for Career Exploration & Planning and the Office of Admissionto support programs such as Sophomore Summit career treks alumni panels and other regionally based initiatives that connect alumni expertise with student learning and addition the Associate Director partners with communications and fundraising colleagues on Giving Day participation and other philanthropic initiatives that span regional affinity and industry networks. Evening weekend and travel commitments are required for engagement-related events and programs.

The Associate Director of Affinity Engagement & Giving (Regional Programs) is a collaborative and strategically minded professional who advances alumni engagement and philanthropy through strong relationships thoughtful volunteer partnership and effective program execution. They bring sound judgment autonomy and a data-informed approach to planning balancing multiple priorities while working productively across teams. A clear communicator and trusted partner the Associate Director helps build welcoming inclusive communities that strengthen connection to the College and support shared Advancement goals. This role requires flexibility and a visible leadership presence including availability for evening weekend and travel commitments in support of key engagement programs and events.

Advancement staff are expected to promote a positive solutions-focused workplace culture through professional and constructive engagement in meetings collaborations and daily interactions. Advancement work also includes all-hands-on-deck events that require occasional evening and weekend participation to support key College events includingbut not limited toReunion and Homecoming.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Regional Networks: Leadership Programs and Philanthropy

• Lead engagement strategy and programming for a portfolio of regional networks industry groups and special-interest communities including affinity- and identity-based networks professional groups and athletic affiliations.

• Design and deliver inclusive mission-aligned programs that strengthen connection among alumni students faculty and campus partners through events mentoring storytelling and other engagement opportunities.

• Recruit train and advise alumni volunteers; set clear expectations maintain consistent communication and align volunteer activity with engagement and philanthropic goals.

• Activate communities rooted in shared identity interest profession or experience (e.g. athletics arts industry groups) to strengthen belonging and advance giving-related initiatives.

• Use data to strengthen volunteer pipelines guide annual planning and assess engagement and giving outcomes across assigned networks.

• Develop and coordinate targeted communications (invitations tailored messaging and post-event follow-up) that reinforce participation and long-term engagement.

• Manage budgets timelines communications and logistics for assigned programs and events (e.g. regional and virtual programs) representing Advancement with professionalism discretion and a commitment to inclusion.

• Serve as primary liaison to select campus partners (e.g. the Loeb Center for Career Exploration & Planning) coordinating alumni participation in Sophomore Summit career treks alumni panels and other regionally based initiatives.

• Coordinate with colleagues across Advancement Student Affairs Communications Admission and other campus partners to align network-based programming with institutional priorities and support identity- and interest-centered communities.

• Partner with fundraising and communications colleagues to develop and execute giving initiatives tied to affinity and industry networks including coordinated messaging and volunteer activation (e.g. Giving Day).

Events: Planning and Program Execution

• Plan and execute high-quality virtual and in-person events managing end-to-end logistics (project plans registration vendors facilities staffing technology and day-of execution).

• Lead the AmherstWilliams Telecast and Watch Party Program overseeing marketing partner coordination and support for 50 global host sites.

• Serve as operational lead for Telecast in collaboration with campus partners and regional stakeholders ensuring a seamless and engaging experience.

• Deliver inclusive welcoming mission-aligned alumni experiences through strong planning hospitality and attention to detail.

• Maintain accurate timelines budgets and documentation to support effective execution and year-over-year improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree.

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in alumni engagement advancement nonprofit programs or a related field.

• Strong competencies in relationship management volunteer leadership program execution and inclusive community building.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams and work through influence partnering with colleagues and leaders at all levels.

• Proven experience coordinating and delivering regional industry-based or special-interest programs including responsibility for logistics volunteer coordination and high-quality execution.

• Experience working with alumni volunteers and community leaders to advance engagement participation and philanthropic goals.

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with autonomy sound judgment and strong attention to detail.

• Experience using data and reporting tools to inform planning assess engagement outcomes and guide continuous improvement.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to develop tailored messaging and engagement materials for diverse audiences.

• Experience collaborating with campus partners to support integrated alumni and student-facing initiatives.

• Demonstrated commitment to and experience with advancing diversity equity and inclusion in a professional setting.

• Willingness and ability to work evenings weekends and travel as required to support regional and network-based programs.

• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.

• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

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