About the Opportunity

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement works collaboratively to foster meaningful and lifelong relationships between the university and alumni from diverse cultural backgrounds and identities.  Responsibilities of this position include spearheading a number of initiatives including collaborating with all of the Northeastern cultural centers, building out diverse affinity groups, and engaging a variety of alumni volunteers in initiatives and programs that support and promote cultural diversity within the alumni community. 

The Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement is a key team member who will support Alumni Relations’ broad affinity engagement strategy that aims to meet the needs of alumni through their experiences, interests, identity, and geography and will:

• Develop and implement strategies to actively engage alumni from diverse cultural identities, including but not limited to ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, first generation graduates and other underrepresented groups. 
• Design and execute programs, events and initiatives that cater to the interests and needs of diverse alumni communities.
• Create opportunities for networking, mentorship and connection among alumni and students with shared identities and experiences. 
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with diverse alumni, fostering a sense of connection and belonging to the university.
• Manage a portfolio of culturally based affinity groups and conduct personal visits with alumni to better understand their needs.
• Partner with alumni volunteers, affinity groups, Northeastern cultural centers and cultural based student organizations to leverage their support and involvement in engagement efforts.
• Develop communication strategies to effectively reach diverse alumni populations through various channels, including social media, newsletters and targeted outreach campaigns.
• Track and analyze alumni data to evaluate effectiveness of diversity initiatives and inform future programming.
• Stay informed about best practices and trends in diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education and alumni engagement fields. 

The Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement must be able to represent the university, the Advancement division, Alumni Relations, and Annual Giving in a professional, enthusiastic manner with a customer service and team focus. As a member of the Advancement Division, it is essential for the Assistant Director, Affinity Engagement to understand and support the role philanthropy plays in engaging the Northeastern community. Frequent work on weekday evenings along with some weekends and periodic travel are required. This position will perform their duties, in person, on the Boston campus.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities         

Cultural and Identity based Affinity Engagement and Volunteer Management

Work collaboratively to foster meaningful and lifelong relationships between the university and alumni from diverse cultural backgrounds and identities. 

Develop and implement strategies to actively engage alumni from diverse cultural identities, including but not limited to ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, first generation graduates and other underrepresented groups. 

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with diverse alumni, fostering a sense of connection and belonging to the university.

Manage a portfolio of culturally based affinity groups and conduct personal visits with alumni to better understand their needs.

Partner with alumni volunteers, affinity groups, Northeastern cultural centers and cultural based student organizations to leverage their support and involvement in engagement efforts.

Develop communication strategies to effectively reach diverse alumni populations through various channels, including social media, newsletters and targeted outreach campaigns.

Event Planning and Production

Design and execute programs, events and initiatives that cater to the interests and needs of diverse alumni communities.

Create opportunities for networking, mentorship and connection among alumni and students with shared identities and experiences. 

Track and analyze alumni data to evaluate effectiveness of diversity initiatives and inform future programming.

Team Operations
Support team operations and help manage inquiries (email, phone, and mail) from alumni, campus, community, and the general public. Support Advancement Resources by following procedures to maintain accurate and updated inform