Director of Early Educator Leadership Network

General Summary:

The Director of the Early Educator Leadership Network is responsible for creating and executing strategies that engage and strengthen relationships with alumni who are graduates of the Early Education Leaders Institute programs at UMass Boston. This individual will act as the key liaison between the organization and its alumni community, ensuring that alumni remain supported, involved, and connected with the organization's mission through various programming, events, and outreach efforts. The Director will oversee alumni network staff, engage in fundraising to support network programming, and build a strong sense of community among alumni and other external stakeholders. 

Examples of Duties: 

• Alumni Network Programming and Staff Supervision:
  • Supervise and support team members delivering alumni network programming, offering content-related support and coaching as needed.
  • Deliver services such as webinars, training, leadership development PLCs, or other alumni engagement activities or mentoring
  • Ensure high-quality services and programming by providing regular feedback to staff and facilitators.
  • Lead the design and development of innovative alumni network programming that aligns with the organization’s goals and engages alumni.
  • Lead and manage planning and implementation of the institute’s annual Early Educator Leadership Forums.
• Strategic Alumni Engagement:
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that aligns with the organization’s mission and goals.
  • Identify key alumni segments and tailor engagement approaches to deepen alumni involvement.
  • Establish and monitor metrics to track alumni engagement and program effectiveness.
• Alumni Outreach & Relationship Building:
  • Plan and execute various alumni events, such as networking gatherings, webinars, regional meetups, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Maintain regular communication with alumni through newsletters, social media, and targeted email campaigns.
  • Facilitate peer-to-peer mentoring programs and career development initiatives for alumni.
  • Recruit and support alumni leaders to serve on advisory boards and committees and other leadership opportunities.
• Fundraising and Development:
  • Identify potential donors and funders and cultivate relationships to secure financial contributions to support the alumni leadership network in collaboration with the institute’s executive leadership.
• Community Building:
  • Foster a strong sense of community among alumni by facilitating meaningful connections and collaborations.
  • Highlight alumni success stories to inspire current beneficiaries and future alumni through blog posts, social media, and website content.
• Evaluation and Continuous Improvement:
  • Monitor the effectiveness of leadership network programs through regular feedback and evaluation mechanisms.
  • Stay updated on best practices in leadership networks and early care and education and incorporate new trends into the organization's programs. 
• Collaboration and Integration:
  • Collaborate with internal departments, including program staff, communications, and development, to integrate alumni engagement strategies into broader organizational goals.
  • Work with external partners to enhance alumni programming and networking

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, education, communications, nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field required.
• Five to 10 years’ experience in early education, leadership and/or alumni relations, community engagement, and/or nonprofit development.
• Knowledge of leadership development and/or mentoring in early education, education, or similar sectors.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build lasting relationships with diverse alumni.
• Excellent project management and event planning skills with the ability to plan and execute successful events and initiatives.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency in CRM systems, preferably Salesforce and/or data management to maintain accurate alumni records.
• Passion for community building and fostering long-term relationships with alumni.
• Ability to think strategically and contribute to the organization’s broader goals.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, a