Job Description
Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Division of University Advancement creates meaningful opportunities for alumni, students, families, friends, faculty, and staff to engage with the university and inspires philanthropic support. The Director of Lifetime Engagement leads a comprehensive, data-informed alumni engagement strategy focused on volunteer leadership, measurable engagement outcomes, and industry connectivity. This work is intentionally aligned with institutional priorities, including career outcomes, workforce development, and strategic industry partnerships.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Lifetime Engagement and Annual Giving (EDLEAG), the Director serves as a primary liaison between the alumni community and the university, strengthening relationships that advance student success, career outcomes, community-building, and philanthropy. The Director designs and implements a scalable, lifecycle-based engagement strategy spanning the student transition experience, early- and mid-career alumni engagement, and industry leader involvement, ensuring programs are strategically aligned and impact-driven.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Volunteer & Alumni Leadership
Alongside the EDLEAG, work closely with the Wentworth Alumni Association (WAA) and other alumni groups to
Provide strategic oversight and direction to the WAA to ensure alignment with university priorities and measurable outcomes
Develop annual goals and success metrics with WAA leadership tied to student impact, alumni participation and engagement, and philanthropy
Build and manage a structured alumni volunteer program, potentially including mentorship, career panels, admissions ambassadors, regional and affinity networks
Recruit, train, and steward alumni volunteers to ensure meaningful and rewarding experiences
As necessary, update volunteer role descriptions, onboarding, and evaluation processes
Track and report volunteer participation, retention, and impact
Lead meetings and provide strategic guidance and leadership to alumni groups
Metrics-Driven & Digital Engagement
Responsible for increasing measurable alumni engagement rates and expanding meaningful engagement touchpoints across the alumni population.
Lead a data-informed engagement strategy grounded in engagement and conversion metrics
Oversee alumni engagement communications and digital platforms strategy that drives connection, impact, and storytelling
Lead the development and implementation of a robust digital engagement infrastructure, including newsletters, web, social, and digital community platforms, to amplify alumni and donor stories, strengthen volunteer engagement, and industry impact
Evaluate and leverage digital engagement platforms and online communities to create scalable, year-round alumni networking and engagement opportunities.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators such as:
Email click-through rates
Volunteer conversion and retention rates
Website and social engagement metrics
Event attendance and engagement
Utilize CRM and engagement data to support segmentation, personalization, and targeted outreach strategies across diverse alumni populations.
Use engagement data to inform segmentation, outreach strategies, and continuous improvement
Industry & Employer Engagement
Design and implement non-traditional alumni engagement models, including industry-hosted programs, employer-site engagement, and career-centered alumni experiences.
Strengthen relationships with employers where alumni work to expand opportunities for student career exposure and alumni involvement
Partner with the Office of Co-ops & Careers and academic units to connect alumni to mentorship, panels, and experiential learning opportunities
Identify and cultivate alumni champions within key industries and companies
Support industry-aligned alumni programming that reinforces Wentworth’s STEM and workforce development goals
Serve as a connector between alumni, industry partners, and the university to foster mutually beneficial relationships
Campus Collaboration and Engagement Opportunities
Serve as a strategic partner to campus leadership to integrate alumni engagement into academic, career, and student success initiatives. Work closely with Academic Affairs, Student Engagement, Athletics, Co-ops & Careers, and other campus partners to coordinate inclusive and high-impact alumni and student engagement.
Partner with campus colleagues to create engagement opportunities that connect alumni and students in meaningful ways
Collaborate with Marketing and Communications, University Events, and Advancement Operations to ensure engagement strategies are aligned and well-supported
Focus on strategic direction and alumni participation in events while the University Events team leads logistics and execution
Partner with Annual Giving and Individual Giving teams to identify highly engaged alumni and support cultivation pathways that align engagement with philanthropic outcomes.
General Responsibilities:
Regularly assess the effectiveness of engagement initiatives and recommend enhancements, innovations, or strategic shifts based on participation data and institutional priorities.
Contribute to planning and stewardship of alumni engagement resources and budgets to ensure strategic and sustainable program delivery.
Remain visible and accessible to alumni through one-on-one outreach, volunteer touchpoints, and community engagement
Provide timely progress updates and recommend strategic adjustments based on data and outcomes
Stay informed of trends and best practices in alumni engagement, volunteer management, and philanthropy
Participate in professional networks and bring forward innovative ideas to inform strategy
Experience managing volunteers or boards preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Experience leveraging AI and emerging digital tools to enhance engagement strategy and operational effectiveness
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required
5+ years of professional experience in alumni relations, development, or a related field
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and proofreading proficiency
Demonstrated ability to manage projects and priorities effectively
Comfort using digital platforms and analytics to drive engagement decisions
Commitment to leveraging digital tools and social media to grow alumni engagement
Understanding of workforce trends and industry engagement models
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse audiences politely and effectively
Ability to articulate the mission and priorities of the university with conviction
Creativity, initiative, and sound judgment in motivating and supporting volunteers
Demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, collegiality, integrity, discretion, and trustworthiness
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in a higher education setting
Familiarity with Slate Advancement or similar CRM databases
Experience using engagement data and analytics to inform strategy
Position Details:
At this time, the university is unable to sponsor applicants for H-1B visas.
The job grade for this position is Grade 9. The expected wage range for this position is between $90,000 and $113,000 which reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this role.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. This position is a full-time, benefits eligible position at 37.5 hours/week. Standard office environment with occasional evening or weekend work may be required for special events.
Compensation and Benefits
Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to fair, transparent, and legally compliant compensation practices. We believe that clarity about pay structures and ranges supports equity, fosters trust, and ensures a positive workplace for all employees.
Please visit here to see the comprehensive benefits package offered to support the best experience for our employees. https://wit.edu/careers/work-wentworth
Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth
Inclusive Excellence is one of the four pillars of the Strategic Plan. Actively and intentionally cultivating a diverse and culturally competent institution where each member has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential and make contributions to our campus community and beyond is Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth.
To find out more about the Wentworth’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence, please visit the website https://wit.edu/about/inclusive-excellence.
All applicants have the right to accessibility support and accommodations. To request accessibility support or accommodations, contact the Executive Director of Equity and Compliance, Catlin Wells, at wellsc1@wit.edu.
E-Verify for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)
Wentworth participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.