Director of Alumni Advocacy

About the Job

If you're a relationship-driven leader with a passion for higher education, public service, and alumni engagement, this is your opportunity to build a powerful, statewide network of alumni advocates who advance the University of Minnesota's mission and impact.

The Director of Alumni Advocacy at the Alumni Association is a strategic and tactical role. This position cultivates and mobilizes alumni as trusted advocates for the University across Minnesota. It also leads the Alumni Association's nonpartisan alumni advocacy strategy, including hands‑on management of the MN201 alumni advocacy network, and provides strategic direction of alumni engagement efforts across Greater Minnesota.

Working in close partnership with the University's Government Relations team and campus partners, this role ensures alumni voices are informed, organized, and activated in support of the University's nonpartisan legislative priorities, land‑grant mission, and long‑term statewide impact.

Salary range for this position is $80,000-$100,000, based on qualifications and years of experience.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Communications of the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association offers flexible working options with a "go where the work is" philosophy. Specifics will be discussed during the interview stage.

• Alumni Advocacy Strategy and Legislative Engagement (85%)
  • Lead and implement the Association's alumni nonpartisan advocacy strategy to support the University's legislative agenda and key institutional priorities that require public support.
  • Direct the growth, engagement, and effectiveness of MN201, the University's systemwide alumni advocacy network, which is a "grass‑tops" network of influential alumni who can strategically advance University priorities at the local and state level.
  • Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications and University Government Relations teams to align alumni advocacy messaging and storytelling with coordinated institutional strategies.
  • Partner with the Alumni Association's engagement team, University units, and external stakeholders to strengthen coordination across advocacy and engagement functions.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with alumni advocates, legislators, and legislative staff to strengthen alumni‑to‑official connections.
  • Oversee the development of advocacy resources and tools that equip alumni to engage confidently and credibly with public officials.
  • Serve as Alumni Association's primary liaison for alumni advocacy efforts at the State Capitol, including U of M Day at the Capitol and other high‑impact advocacy moments.
  • Represent the Alumni Association on University committees and working groups related to advocacy.
  • Lead the Alumni Association's alumni engagement and public education efforts related to the nonpartisan University of Minnesota Board of Regents election process and build relationships with State of Minnesota's Regent Candidate Advisory Council (RCAC) to support their work every election cycle for Regents.
  • Oversee the development and dissemination of clear, accessible educational materials that explain the Regents election process to alumni and the public. This includes the production of a Regent Candidate Guide and the coordination of a public forum featuring the RCAC‑recommended candidates.
  • Provide strategic oversight for advocacy operations, ensuring clear priorities, effective workflows, and measurable outcomes.
  • Engage in ongoing professional development to strengthen leadership and alumni advocacy expertise.
• Greater Minnesota Alumni Engagement and Statewide Outreach (15%)
  • Guide the Alumni Association's regional alumni engagement strategy across Greater Minnesota, in alignment with UMAA and University priorities with measurable outcomes that include fostering long‑term alumni loyalty and building local alumni champions for the University.
  • Align alumni engagement efforts with regional University priorities, reinforcing the University's land‑grant mission and commitment to serving all Minnesotans.
  • Collaborate with campus partners to ensure inclusive engagement strategies that reflect the depth of the…