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Director of Alumni Engagement

Cornell University


Job Location:

Ithaca, NY - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 82735 - 100298
Posted: 6 August 2026 (24 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Director of Alumni Engagement in our Alumni Affairs and Development division based in Ithaca NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the universitys advancement efforts.

Position Summary

The Director of Alumni Engagement serves as a key member of a newly formed pod staff structure supporting the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability The ILR School and the Library within Cornells Alumni Affairs and Development division. Reporting to the Pod Leader and the Executive Director for Alumni Affairs the Director for Alumni Engagement serves as a strategic leader and partner responsible for building and sustaining meaningful relationships with alumni driving engagement programs and events and connecting alumni interests with university priorities. This individual will design and execute high-impact engagement strategies that strengthen lifelong alumni relationships and support the universitys broader engagement and fundraising goals.


Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement comprehensive alumni engagement strategies for an assigned constituency aligning activities with the pods and divisions strategic priorities.

  • Cultivate and manage alumni volunteers and leaders providing guidance and support to strengthen their connection to and involvement with the university.

  • Plan coordinate and execute alumni events programs and volunteer initiatives both in-person and virtual that foster meaningful engagement and community-building.

  • Collaborate closely with colleagues in development communications and academic units to identify engagement opportunities that support pipeline development for philanthropic giving.

  • Track analyze and report on engagement metrics and program outcomes using data to refine strategies and demonstrate impact to university leadership.

  • Represent the university at alumni gatherings regional events and volunteer meetings serving as an ambassador for the institutions mission and values.

About Alumni Affairs and Development

At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development we connect alumni parents and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships a commitment to excellence and a culture of collaboration innovation inclusion and continuous learning. As one of higher educations leading fundraising and engagement organizations we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion. Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive mission-driven and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornells future.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.

  • Demonstrated success developing and delivering high-impact alumni engagement programs and events.

  • Demonstrated experience building relationships with diverse constituents including alumni volunteers and donors.

  • Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully planning and executing events and programs from concept through completion.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences including senior leadership faculty and volunteers.

  • Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments in a complex mission-driven organization.

  • Willingness and ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends to support alumni events and programs.

Work Location

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify suspend revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

Rewards and Benefits

  • Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health wellbeing and sustainability.

  • Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options generous retirement contributions access to wellness programs and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits Working at Cornell.

  • Our leave provisions include health and personal leave three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving and the day after and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off Working at Cornell

  • Cornells impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program tuition aid for external education and Cornell Childrens Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits Working at Cornell

  • Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:Total Rewards Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Alumni Engagement Ofcr III

Job Family:

Alumni Affairs Development

Level:

G

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$82735.00 - $100298.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Rachel Colunio

Contact Email:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience

  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

  • Unique applicable skills

  • Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornells non-union staff job titles and pay ranges see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornells union wages see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email .

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice or email at .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment at the Ithaca campus by emailing .

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities to further the founding principle of ... any person ... any study. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving but not limited to such factors as race ethnic or national origin citizenship and immigration status color sex pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions age creed religion actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person) arrest and/or conviction record military or veteran status sexual orientation gender expression and/or identity an individuals genetic information domestic violence victim status familial status marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to with federal law Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.


Required Experience:

Director