Associate Director of Class Engagement and Giving

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Associate Director of Class Engagement and Giving position. The Associate Director of Class Engagement and Giving is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $68,000 to $72,000 per year.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

The Associate Director of Class Engagement and Giving plays a key role in advancing Amherst College's culture of connection, participation, and philanthropy. The Associate Director manages a portfolio of alumni classes and Reunion cohorts, as well as special projects and events related to engagement and giving, with primary responsibility for developing class-based engagement plans that strengthen volunteer participation and support annual giving goals.


Reporting to the Director of Class Engagement & Giving and working closely with colleagues across Advancement and campus partners, the Associate Director designs and delivers class communications and class-based programs, plans and executes class-based and reunion related events, and supports volunteer recruitment, training and outreach. They also provide leadership and strategic coordination for a portfolio of special projects-including, but not limited to, annual giving tactics, Giving Day initiatives, and volunteer communication efforts-many of which are carried out in close collaboration with Advancement Communications and colleagues across the division. In addition, they serve as the lead for the planning and execution of programs in their portfolio, including but not limited to Amherst Homecoming, providing strategic oversight for one of the College's largest on-campus events.


The Associate Director of Class Engagement & Giving is an experienced and strategically minded professional who advances alumni engagement and philanthropy through strong relationships, effective volunteer partnership, and well-executed programs. They bring sound judgment, clear communication, and a high degree of autonomy to their work, helping to shape engagement approaches, guide complex initiatives, and collaborate across teams through influence rather than authority. With a thoughtful approach to planning and a strong sense of hospitality, the Associate Director builds trust and delivers welcoming, seamless engagement experiences that support institutional priorities. This role requires flexibility and a visible leadership presence, including availability for evening, weekend, and travel commitments in support of key engagement programs and events.

Advancement staff are expected to promote a positive, solutions-focused workplace culture through professional and constructive engagement in meetings, collaborations, and daily interactions. Advancement work also includes "all-hands-on-deck" events that require occasional evening and weekend participation to support key College events, including-but not limited to-Reunion and Homecoming.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Reunion, Class and Volunteer Management

• Oversee and manage a portfolio of alumni classes, serving as a primary staff partner for class engagement, volunteer support, and coordination of annual giving efforts.
• Serve as staff lead or key contributor for Reunion cohorts, including milestone Reunion years, overseeing class communications, volunteer engagement, and selected Reunion projects and experiences.
• Partner with the Director of Class Engagement & Giving to plan and execute Reunion programming for the Reunion classes within an assigned portfolio, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and class engagement goals.
• Cultivate, support, and steward alumni volunteer leaders (e.g., Class Agents, Reunion Chairs, Class Secretaries) by setting clear expectations, providing strategic guidance, and sharing timely insights that advance participation and giving goals.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues to develop and refine volunteer training, communications, and reporting resources that strengthen engagement and participation pipelines.
• Lead regular volunteer meetings, deliver data-informed recommendations, and ensure volunteers have the tools, information, and support needed to be successful.
• Develop and execute class-based communications and engagement plans that strengthen class identity, deepen alumni connection, and reinforce the College's mission.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate records, timelines, and documentation for all assigned class cohorts and volunteer groups, ensuring strong administrative management and planning continuity.

Event Planning & Program Execution

• Design and execute key Reunion events in support of both the class cohort experience and in support of the overall Reunion goals and objectives.
• Serve as the operational lead for Homecoming, managing event logistics in collaboration with campus partners, which may include registration, facilities coordination, vendors, technology needs, student staffing, housing coordination, and on-site operations.
• Lead the planning and execution of a broad range of in-person and virtual alumni events, including Reunion, Homecoming, Affinity Weekends, and Executive Committee-related gatherings, ensuring high-quality, inclusive, and well-coordinated experiences.
• Oversee all logistical components of assigned events-including registration, facilities coordination, catering, technology needs, student staffing, and vendor management-in collaboration with campus partners.
• Manage event communications, including invitations, webpages, email and text campaigns, schedules, and promotional materials, ensuring consistency with Advancement and College-wide messaging.
• Ensure the consistent delivery of inclusive, welcoming, and mission-aligned alumni experiences through thoughtful planning, strong hospitality, and attention to detail.
• Maintain oversight of project plans, timelines, budgets, and documentation, ensuring accountability, continuity, and high-quality execution across assigned programs.

Class Engagement Strategy & Communications

• Collaborate with Advancement Communications and Strategy & Analysis to support class-based engagement and giving strategies informed by data, alumni behavior, and institutional priorities.
• Manage class communications calendars and contribute to content development that reinforces class identity, participation, and connection to Amherst.
• Use data and analytics (CRM systems, Slate, internal dashboards) to inform strategy, track progress, and evaluate engagement and giving outcomes.
• Develop and maintain segment-level insights and reporting that help the team understand alumni engagement patterns and strengthen class-based participation efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships that reinforce a sense of belonging, shared purpose, and connection within the Amherst community.
• Partner with Advancement Communications to highlight impact stories, Reunion milestones, and donor engagement moments across assigned class cohorts.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to ensure class engagement efforts align with broader annual giving goals.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's Degree.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in alumni engagement, advancement, nonprofit programs, or a related field, preferably within higher education.
• Strong skills in relationship management, volunteer support, event coordination, and project management.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing class-based or milestone events, including responsibility for logistics, timelines, vendors, and on-site coordination.
• Experience working closely with alumni volunteers, such as class officers or reunion committees, to support engagement, participation, and giving goals.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience collaborating effectively with Advancement colleagues and campus partners to deliver coordinated, high-quality programs.
• Experience supporting or contributing to annual giving or participation initiatives, including class-based outreach, volunteer tools, or engagement campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience coordinating communications, schedules, and project documentation.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

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