About this role
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Overview The Yale Alumni Association (YAA) is responsible for university-wide alumni relations and for events, programs, initiatives, and other opportunities to strengthen alumni relationships with Yale. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on YAA’s senior leadership team, the Senior Director directs alumni programs and activities for Yale College Classes including Yale College Reunions and manages the staff team’s relationships with volunteer leadership of the class organizations, with the goal of developing and strengthening undergraduate alumni ties to the university.
• Provide strategic direction for the Yale College Class alumni program. Initiate and lead long-term planning to identify new programs and improve existing ones, in alignment with YAA’s overall strategic plan. Engage team in identifying gaps, improving volunteer tools and processes, and tracking engagement trends. Assess team and individual outcomes relative to YAA’s annual goals and university priorities. • Supervise Yale College classes staff team (8 FTEs) and set goals for staff performance. Develop standards for volunteer management, program development and execution, data strategy, and other staff functions. Provide mentoring and development opportunities. • Provide strategic oversight to the Director for Reunions regarding the Yale College Reunions program (approx. $4M in expenditures and 7,500 attendees annually), including year-over-year goal-setting and final decisions regarding staff portfolios and any special project assignments related to reunion planning. Play an active role in maintaining key campus partnerships such as Yale Hospitality, Public Safety, and Facilities. • Oversee development and creation of models, guidelines, policies, and training materials for class-based programs that reflect alumni relations objectives and best practices for volunteer organizations. Develop strategy for managing class volunteer expectations regarding staff support. • Direct volunteer management for class leaders, including providing guidance and toolkits/resources on a) class organization and development, b) planning non-reunion in-person and online events (over 1,500 participants annually), c) class leadership recruitment and succession planning, and d) maximizing classmate engagement generally. • Oversee, in conjunction with the YAA Finance and Operations Manager, financial management of class treasuries (accounts held at Yale with 501(c)(3) status and approximately $2M annual income), including dues solicitation and class expenditures; quarterly reporting to class treasurers; account reconciliation after events and annually; and ensuring compliance with fiduciary requirements and university policies. • Collaborate with colleagues to advance YAA priorities, to increase impact of class programming, and to encourage partnerships among classes and other groups, such as regional clubs and shared interest group chapters, including the sharing of best practices for data analytics, event management, and volunteer training and management. • Participate in and staff YAA and other campus activities such as the YAA Assembly, including evenings and weekends as necessary.
The information provided in Principal Responsibilities below is generic in nature may not be applicable; prospective applicants will find the information in the Overview to be most relevant.
Required Skills and Abilities 1. Excellent leadership, strategic planning, negotiating, supervisory, and consensus-building skills. Ability to lead teams and to create a collaborative, productive, and supportive team culture. Commitment to an inclusive workplace. 2. Demonstrated ability to innovate and be creative in a fast-paced environment and to manage projects of all sizes on budget, including complex events. Ability to serve as the key decision maker while meeting the needs of multiple stakeholders. 3. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet multiple, competing responsibilities and deadlines. Ability to keep teams and projects aligned with organizational priorities while maintaining professionalism, flexibility, and a sense of humor. 4. Superior interpersonal skills. Ability to build productive relationships with staff and volunteers to contribute to YAA’s mission and to make difficult decisions and manage volunteer disappointment. 5. Outstanding verbal and written communications skills. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality.
Preferred Skills and Abilities 1. Experience in alumni relations, volunteer management, nonprofits or related field. 2. Demonstrated expertise in supervising staff, leading teams, and working with volunteers in an academic or nonprofit setting. 3. Event planning expertise and thorough knowledge of the University and its academic programs strongly preferred.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Directs, plans, and administers programs for the University alumni volunteers/leaders. 2. Develops effective strategies for interacting with, and supporting, alumni groups and for enlisting them in support the University activities that may range from admissions to mentoring students, among others. Works to strengthen and support the work of alumni associations. 3. Serves as a key resource for alumni leaders and other volunteers, advising on best practices in terms of mission, governance, group structure, strategic planning, and outreach. Represents the University at key alumni events and attend local board meetings, offering counsel whenever appropriate and represent the University. 4. Works closely with the local leadership in all ways: from logistics for events and technology/Web needs to strategic planning, budgeting, program development, and communications. Ensures coordination and integration of regional activities with University programs and services; capitalizing on opportunities for crossover where appropriate. 5. Partners with volunteer leaders to assess needs and interests for local alumni programs and services. Advises on possible improvements and development of new programs that encourage alumni involvement and interaction. Offers guidance regarding program content. 6. Identifies and implements ways to involve faculty and notable Yale graduates programs, and work with the University Admissions to further its efforts with admitted students. Develops performance and accountability goals for programs, services, events, and membership. 7. Works with key associations to ensure optimal volunteer engagement and leadership, identifying and recruiting talented alumni for volunteer roles. Inspire, inform, and motivate through regular communication. 8. Guides volunteer leadership in seeking out qualified volunteers and ensuring succession planning. Develops and/or recommends communication plans including mailings, event and service promotion, and effective use of fliers, email messages, and/or Web sites. 9. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in a related field and five years of related work experience. Job Posting Date 10/07/2026 Job Category Manager Bargaining Unit NON Compensation Grade Administration & Operations Compensation Grade Profile Manager; Program Leader (M6) Salary Range $90,000.00 - $165,750.00 Benefits A general description of the benefits to be offered with this Managerial & Professional position is available at: Yale Benefits
Time Type Full time Duration Type Staff Work Model Hybrid Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.