Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

Reporting to the director of the global alumni network and professional development, Schwarzman Scholars seeks a visionary, strategic, and outcome-driven leader to serve as its next Assistant Director of alumni engagement and professional development. This role offers the rare opportunity to help shape one of the world’s most influential and rapidly growing alumni communities. The Assistant Director plays a central role in cultivating and advancing this elite global community. Blending strategic relationship management, innovative program development, and data-informed engagement strategies, the role is designed for a leader who thrives at the intersection of global affairs, executive-level relationship building, and lifelong learning. The successful candidate will help strengthen alumni connectivity, deepen geopolitical and leadership engagement, and design high-impact experiences that support alumni throughout their professional journeys. As a key leader within the alumni development team, the Assistant Director will bring forward-thinking best practices in alumni engagement and professional development while defining the next era of alumni relations to the Schwarzman Scholars program. This individual will lead communications initiatives, develop meaningful engagement opportunities across regions and industries, and help reimagine how a world-class global network can create lasting value for its members and further the program’s broader mission. This position is based in New York City and operates in person out of the Schwarzman Scholars program office. During peak times, the Assistant Director will be required to be present for alumni events on nights and weekends. Additionally, the Assistant Director will be engaged in periodic domestic and international travel. About The Organization Schwarzman Scholars is a fully-funded, one-year master’s degree program in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. An unparalleled learning experience, it is the first scholarship of its kind created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century and designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders. Each year, around 150 candidates from around the world are selected to join a diverse cohort. Schwarzman Scholars seeks candidates with leadership qualities and the potential to foster crosscultural understanding. Scholars come from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds, such as business, technology, politics, healthcare, and more. Schwarzman Scholars’ dynamic curriculum–based on the pillars of China, leadership, and global affairs–is designed to provide Scholars with the knowledge, skills, and firsthand experience needed to navigate the complexities of the evolving global landscape. Through an immersive experience in China, Scholars spend a year living in Beijing, studying at the prestigious Tsinghua University under the guidance of leading academics and global thought leaders. Schwarzman Scholars was established in 2013 by Founding Trustee Stephen A. Schwarzman and Tsinghua University. Schwarzman Scholars aspires to create a global network of leaders who will shape the future. Major Responsibilities Collaborate across global, multicultural teams to develop and deliver meaningful alumni engagement initiatives and experiences. Work independently and in collaboration with the director of the global alumni network and professional development to develop and implement initiatives that meet strategic alumni engagement goals and objectives. In conjunction with the director, manage and grow alumni activities. Design, develop, and implement programs to be delivered at scale to foster geopolitical knowledge, build the alumni network, and train the next generation of global leaders. Maintain accurate alumni data within a customer relationship management (CRM) system to facilitate targeted outreach. Lead alumni volunteer programs such as “hub city captains”, mentorship programs, advisory boards, and related engagement activities. Establish ongoing relationships with individual alumni through personal visits, phone calls, and meaningful contacts. Lead and curate alumni communications through email, web, social media, website, newsletter, print, and more to keep alumni informed about upcoming events, news, and opportunities. Implement best practices to increase engagement through communications and outreach. Assess alumni engagement activities and provide reports and analysis to inform strategy and continuous improvement. Steward and manage relationships with program partners. Conduct in-person, phone, and virtual outreach to activate strategic alumni segments. Plan, organize, and manage alumni events and special initiatives, ensuring smooth execution and high attendance. Support the director in identifying alumni leaders and establishing trusted relationships with alumni and partners to serve in various roles throughout the organization. Evaluate applications for limited offerings, awards, and honors. Build, distribute, and analyze alumni surveys to assess the effectiveness of alumni engagement efforts, gathering market intelligence to guide programming improvements through increased feedback response rates. Skills, Experience, and Qualifications A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and eight years of professional experience in alumni relations, network management, or a related field are required. A high level of cultural competence and the ability to embrace and navigate global perspectives are required. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred. The Assistant Director must have superior strategic planning, organization, evaluation, and leadership skills. They must have a demonstrated ability to manage and execute multiple priorities and deadlines. A successful candidate will have an understanding of adult learning theories and principles and will know how to apply instructional design principles and assessment strategies to accurately meet the needs of global leaders within this prestigious network. In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate: Superior customer relations and communications skills, with a track record of building and sustaining meaningful cross-cultural relationships. Strong leadership and project management skills, coupled with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Deep understanding of alumni and network engagement strategies, including experience activating key stakeholders to strengthen participation and community engagement. Proven success in designing, developing, promoting, and executing high-impact alumni programs, events, and engagement initiatives. Proficiency with technology and network management platforms, including database management, reporting, and data analysis. Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including strong public speaking abilities. Experience managing complex programs and cross-functional projects involving stakeholders with varying levels of authority and influence Capacity to exercise initiative, think strategically and creatively, and facilitate effective problem-solving in dynamic environments. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with competing priorities, condensed timelines, and evolving circumstances. Possess an enthusiastic, people-centered approach with a passion for engaging with others Skilled in navigating difficult or sensitive conversations, responding thoughtfully to constituents’ needs, and incorporating feedback to strengthen alumni services and engagement. #J-18808-Ljbffr Schwarzman Scholars