Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Traditions and Celebrations

Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE) is seeking an enthusiastic and strategic Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, Traditions and Celebrations to create meaningful experiences that strengthen alumni pride and foster lifelong connections to Wichita State University. This role leads the strategy and execution of signature alumni programs, traditions, reunions, recognition initiatives, and celebratory events, including 35 Under 35, Annual Reunion, watch parties, Shocker Pride Nationwide Tailgate, and Alumni Walkway stewardship. The Associate Director also oversees key student traditions and programming that build university pride and establish a strong foundation for future alumni engagement.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative relationship builder with strong event planning, project management, and volunteer engagement skills who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. This position works closely with alumni, volunteers, campus partners, and internal teams to deliver memorable experiences, recognize alumni achievements, and expand opportunities for meaningful engagement. A bachelor's degree and at least three years of relevant experience are required, along with excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to WSUFAE's core values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, and Service, while bringing creativity and strategic thinking to programs that celebrate the Shocker community.

With a team of more than 50 dedicated individuals working to support fundraising and donor and alumni relationships, the WSUFAE is proud to champion the continued growth of Wichita State University. With over $450 million in managed assets and thousands of alumni spread around the world, it is an exciting time to be a part of advancing Shocker Nation.
The job duties for this position include:

1. Traditions & Celebrations Strategy

• Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive strategy for alumni traditions, celebratory programs, reunions, and affinity-building experiences.
• Creates programming that strengthens alumni pride, university connection, and lifelong engagement.
• Evaluates program outcomes and engagement metrics to inform future planning and continuous improvement.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance and expand traditions that reflect the evolving needs and interests of alumni.

 

1. Signature Program Leadership

• 35 Under 35: Leads the annual nomination process, selection committee management, honoree stewardship, event planning, recognition activities, and post-program engagement strategies.
• Annual Reunion: Serves as the primary strategist and coordinator for reunion planning, volunteer engagement, communications, and event execution.
• Watch Parties: Oversees annual and seasonal watch party experiences, strengthening alumni connections through athletic and university-related engagement opportunities.
• Shocker Pride Nationwide Tailgate: Leads planning, coordination, volunteer recruitment, and execution of the signature annual tailgate initiative across alumni networks.
• Alumni Walkway: Oversees alumni recognition processes, stewardship activities, and associated celebration and dedication events.
• Develops innovative opportunities to recognize alumni achievements and celebrate university milestones.

 

1. Alumni & Volunteer Relationship Management

• Builds and sustains relationships with alumni volunteers, reunion committees, affinity groups, campus partners, and community stakeholders.
• Recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who assist with engagement programs and signature events.
• Collaborates with Development to identify highly engaged alumni with leadership and philanthropic potential.
• Serves as a primary liaison for alumni traditions and celebration-related programming.

 

1. Student Traditions & Campus Engagement

• Oversees alumni engagement within key student traditions and transitional experiences, ensuring alignment with long-term alumni affinity goals.
• Leads planning and execution for:
  • WelcomeFest
  • Shocker State Fair
  • The Toast (Fall and Spring)
  • Additional student-to-alumni transition experiences as assigned
• Partners with campus departments and student organizations to connect current students with alumni traditions and university pride initiatives.

 

1. Campus Event Support & Collaboration

• Provides leadership and support for programmatic reunions, alumni socials, affinity-based events, and engagement opportunities hosted throughout the year.
• Works collaboratively with Alumni Engagement, Marketing & Communications, Development, Decision Sciences, Athletics, colleges, and campus partners to deliver exceptional experiences.
• Ensures event communications, branding, and storytelling reflect the Wichita State mission and alumni community.
• Manages event logistics, budgets, timelines, vendor relationships, and operational planning.

 

1. Portfolio & Stakeholder Management

• Maintains relationships with alumni volunteers, constituents, and key stakeholders as assigned.
• Maintains ongoing communication and stewardship efforts to strengthen alumni participation and advocacy.
• Utilizes data and engagement metrics to support strategic planning, outreach and relationship development.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of three years of experience in alumni relations, event management, higher education, volunteer management, community engagement, or a related field
• Demonstrated success planning and executing large-scale events and engagement programs
• Experience working with volunteers, committees, or advisory groups
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends in support of events and volunteer activities
• Demonstrated self-motivation and professional demeanor
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, Teams, and CRM platforms
• Demonstrated professionalism and commitment to the WSUFAE core values of Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Collaboration

Required Skills

• Strong event planning and project management skills
• Exceptional relationship-building and volunteer engagement abilities
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Effective written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and reaching
• Frequent attendance at events requiring prolonged standing
• Frequent travel—including regional and occasional national travel—for network events and alumni outreach
• Frequent lifting up to 20 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds
• Frequent exposure to large event settings and crowds
• Occasional exposure to outdoor or inclement weather
• Frequent interruptions throughout the day

Preferred Requirements and Skills

• Previous experience in higher education, alumni relations, nonprofit advancement, or hospitality/event management
• Experience managing signature events, reunions, or recognition programs
• Experience working with alumni volunteers, advisory boards, or affinity groups
• Knowledge of best practices in alumni engagement, stewardship, and experiential programming
• Familiarity with athletics-related alumni engagement and fan-based programming

WSUFAE offers outstanding benefits including medical/dental/vision (100% premium paid for employee/50% for dependents), term life insurance, tuition reimbursement, 8.5% company matching on retirement accounts after one year, and more.
WSUFAE believes in the power of education. Since 1965, we have worked to connect the students, faculty, and staff of Wichita State University with the resources they need to transform their communities. Our dedicated staff includes members of the development, annual fund, finance, support, and student teams. We have accomplished big goals in the last few years and don't plan to slow down anytime soon.
With a mission built on our core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, and service, we strive to be an inclusive and equitable work environment. Managers are expected to model this behavior by clearly setting expectations and directly addressing non-inclusive behavior. In our pursuit to build and maintain a high-performing team, it is every individual’s responsibility to contribute to our culture of belonging.

Advancing the mission and vision of Wichita State University takes a strong team, and it is our core values that unite and empower us to reach our goals together. Collectively, we are passionate about education and opening doors to new opportunities by working together to “elevate, celebrate and advance Wichita State University through engagement and philanthropy.”

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with a disability in completing the application form or in the interview process. Please notify the Human Resources Office at View phone number on us.fitly.work or email View email address on us.fitly.work in advance so necessary arrangements can be made.

To Apply:
Please fill out an application, submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interests in, and qualifications for, the position.

 
WSUFAE is an EOE employer