Director of Membership & Engagement

Overview

Requisition: ES

Title:

Director of Membership & Engagement

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Department:
Alumni Relations & Annual Giving

Division:
Division of University Advancement

Open Date: 01/23/2026

Open Until Filled:
Yes

Educational And Experience Requirement:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Five years of experience in a related field. Experience in Higher Education preferred. Demonstrated success is closing mid-range gifts of $1K to $25K, or more, preferred. Additional education may be considered in lieu of experience.

• Provides direction and fiscal management for membership (life membership and student alumni association membership), engagement programming, and marketing for the Alumni Association.
• Develops revenue forecasts for Life Member program and ensures that membership development supports the mission of the University.
• Plans and executes a comprehensive engagement plan for Life Membership to include the discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of alumni.
• Maintains a high volume of daily touch points (email, calls, social media) to help identify and keep engaged leadership-level life members and donors.
• Participates in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for the life member/donor program.
• Attends and supports alumni association and significant university activities and events to increase visibility and develop relationships with key alumni, students, and university officials.
• Works closely with Development colleagues to increase support from alumni, parents, students, and non-alumni. Identifies and qualifies alumni prospects for gifts to the alumni association. Communicates development-related activities and maintains electronic documentation on a timely basis in Raiser’s Edge. Attends Development team meetings. Partners with the Director of Annual Giving to grow participation in the alumni association through crowdfunding campaigns and special projects/initiatives.
• Oversees, manages, and markets existing affinity partner programs and identifies and qualifies new affinity partnerships and programs that support alumni stewardship and engagement.
• Works closely with Integrated Marketing and Communications on campus to provide marketing strategies, applies marketing best practices, and branding oversight for the alumni association. Manages all social media accounts and oversees alumni association website maintenance and accuracy.
• Fosters positive, purposeful relationships with staff, alumni, university officials, affinity partners, and vendors. Demonstrates ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy. Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of Sam Houston State policies and procedures.
• Experience with Blackbaud Raisers Edge database.
• Ability to build lasting relationships. Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter. Ability to drive results.
• Highly effective communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal).
• Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure. Capable of working independently while also engaging in collaboration between teams.
• Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects for life membership and donors. Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity.

Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends.

• Full Time

Full Time

Quicklink:

Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code

• 51.215.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report