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Assistant Director of Engagement, Reunions & Events

Focus Areas:  Class and Affinity Reunions

This opportunity is well suited for ENTRY-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS who have university advancement and/or events and engagement program experience.  MSU collegiate experience is preferred.

• Administrator:   Senior Managing Director of Engagement  
• Experience Required:  1-3 years’ experience in engagement, alumni and/or student engagement, development (fundraising), and/or university advancement with demonstrated accomplishment in fostering productive relationships and experience in coordinating multiple facets of a program, including volunteers.
• Preferred Experience:  Knowledge of and experience developing and managing alumni and constituent engagement programs and strategies and a demonstrated ability to organize, motivate, and collaborate with a team of skilled professionals and varied constituents.
• Education Required:  Baccalaureate Degree and experience; MSU collegiate experience preferred
• Overtime Status:  Exempt; not eligible for overtime
• FTE and Benefits:  1.0 FTE, eligible for full employment benefits
• Location:  Onsite in Bozeman, MT; hybrid opportunities may be available based on performance.
• Preferred Start Date:  August 1, 2026

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assistant Director of Engagement, Reunions & Events (“Assistant Director”) of the Montana State University Alumni Foundation (“Alumni Foundation”) provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational management for constituent engagement programs, including class & affinity reunions and their associated events, high‑priority initiatives, and special projects. The role manages and engages volunteer groups representing the Alumni Foundation and their respective classes or affiliate groups, supporting their planning and connection efforts.

The Assistant Director works collaboratively across the Alumni Foundation Engagement Team, Strategic Communications, Development, and Montana State University (“MSU”) faculty, staff, and leadership to deliver coordinated, high‑value engagement aligned with organizational priorities. The position also provides support for additional organizational needs as identified by the Senior Managing Director and Vice President of Engagement.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serve as a vital member of the Engagement team, working in collaboration with the Vice President of Engagement, members of the engagement team and other staff to implement and execute the strategic engagement plan of the organization and to foster meaningful experiences that advance MSU and the mission of the Alumni Foundation.
2. Establish, develop, manage, execute and evaluate engagement plans, related to the focus areas of class and affinity reunions, and others as assigned. Ensure alignment with Alumni Foundation’s strategic priorities and work collaboratively with all Alumni Foundation teams to develop engagement opportunities, coordinated outreach, messaging, solicitation and stewardship.
3. Advance, plan, implement, execute and analyze programs aimed at increasing the visibility of and participation in programmatic efforts, including oversight and advisement on programming, events and communications for all focus-areas of work.
4. Create and implement communications/marketing plans related to focus areas of work, including utilizing tools such as broadcast email, event platforms, project management systems, social media, direct mail, calendar event registration set-up and webpage management.
5. Manage all venue and vendor aspects, including event space, catering arrangement, vendors, attendees, logistics, reporting and coding, supply coordination and set-up of events within focus purview or as assigned.
6. Utilize organization platforms, systems and processes identified for program and event management.
7. Through purposeful volunteer engagement, recruit, track, train, deploy, manage and recognize volunteers associated with focus areas.
8. Develop, allocate, track and manage related and specified budget(s) to focus areas.
9. Team-manage student employees who support all aspects of engagement including customer service, RSVP management (e.g. intake and phone calling), event support and coding and other priority activities as identified.
10. Travel locally, regionally and nationally to fulfill responsibilities and support the Alumni Foundation’s Engagement team and the strategic engagement plan of the organization.
11. Affect and maintain a professional, proactive, positive, highly-collaborative, and performance-centric work environment.

Duties and responsibilities may change at any time.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Strong commitment to the Alumni Foundation’s mission and goals and ability to maintain a professional, proactive, positive, highly collaborative, and performance-centric work environment.
2. Willingness to take initiative, assume responsibility and motivate others by example.
3. Ability to respond professionally and in a timely manner to inquiries and the many constituents calling and emailing with varied questions and needs.
4. Ability to manage individuals and groups; experience in coordinating multiple facets of a program as well as volunteers.
5. Adept at operating transparently and flexibly in highly complex and evolving environments.
6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to work collaboratively and courteously with colleagues throughout MSU, alumni, other constituents and the public. Ability to work with a diverse constituency.
7. Ability to provide leadership and strategic administrative support for planning meetings, objective management and follow-through for initiatives.

BENEFITS:

The MSU Alumni Foundation offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance (all of which are 90-100% employer-paid for employee-only coverage), 403(b) retirement plan with 7% employer contribution after 1-yr anniversary, up to 5 weeks’ paid time-off, 11 paid holidays, tuition assistance and more. 

APPLICATIONS AND RECRUITMENT:

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, a resume, and three professional references online. Recruitment will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The MSU Alumni Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer who believes that diversity, equity and inclusion allow us to better serve our students and communities and are critical to supporting the mission of Montana State University as a land grant institution.