Career & Alumni Engagement Specialist

The Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist is an externally focused role that strengthens students’ career outcomes by integrating alumni, employers, and industry partners into the career development experience in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). The position leads alumni- and employer-facing career initiatives, including mentoring, networking, and career programming, that connect students with professional pathways and real-world insight. Through sustained relationship-building, the Specialist expands access to mentors, speakers, employers, and career opportunities while ensuring alumni involvement is intentional, well-supported, and aligned with student career-readiness goals.

This position reports directly to the Director of Academic and Career Advising and has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Assistant Dean for Advancement to support coordination related to alumni engagement, communication, and stewardship activities.

The Specialist works collaboratively with Career Services staff, Advancement colleagues, faculty partners, alumni, employers, and external industry representatives. The role operates within established priorities and works across teams to ensure coordinated career programming, alumni engagement, and external outreach.

This position is part of a bargaining unit and is represented by the union SEIU, Local 200

United.

• Relevant experience in higher education, alumni engagement, career services, advancement, employer relations, or a related professional environment.
• Experience coordinating programs, events, or external partnerships preferred.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, including coordinating career programs, events, and initiatives involving alumni and employers.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with alumni, employers, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and independently with initiative and accountability.
• Comfort using databases, engagement platforms, career management systems, and standard office technology.
• Ability to track participation and engagement, analyze outcomes, and summarize results for planning and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail, effective time management skills, and a high level of professionalism.
• Familiarity with career services platforms, alumni engagement tools, or employer-facing systems preferred.

• Part of a team that plans, coordinates, and delivers alumni engagement events and programs that support student career exploration, preparation, and networking, both in-person and virtual.
• Recruit and coordinate alumni participation in career-focused student programs throughout the year through social media promotion, in-person, and virtual event opportunities.
• Coordinate event logistics, communications, timelines, and post-event follow-up with alumni participants.
• Collect and share alumni career stories and outcomes to support ongoing engagement.

• Identify alumni connections within employer organizations to strengthen engagement and collaboration.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to align employer engagement with student needs and career outcomes.
• Support the development and maintenance of relationships with employers and industry partners relevant to VPA programs.
• Coordinate employer participation in career events, recruiting activities, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records of employer contact information and participation data.
• Recruit, onboard, and orient alumni mentors representing a wide range of VPA disciplines and career paths.
• Promote mentor participation and maintain regular communication with mentors and students.
• Monitor platform activity, track consultations and outcomes, and follow up with inactive participants.

• Coordinate follow-up communication with alumni participants to sustain involvement over time.
• Track alumni interactions and flag engaged individuals for the Advancement…