Alumni Relations Career Development Officer

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Job Category:

Employment Type:

Job Profile:

Job Summary:

The Department of Economics is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven leader to lead alumni engagement efforts that strengthen ties to the department, expand student and alumni engagement opportunities, and support key initiatives. The Alumni Relations Career Development Officer (ARCDO) will provide alumni engagement and advancement support to the Economics Department. By directing department alumni communications, the ARCDO will keep our alumni and donors informed, connected, and engaged. The ARCDO will be responsible for planning and executing a variety of alumni events and initiatives, such as large-scale in-person gatherings, student-centered alumni relations, virtual livestreams, small-group networking and board meetings. Working closely with the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, the ARCDO will help grow alumni engagement support and advance the department’s mission and strategic priorities. This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the continued success of a top public economics department.

The successful candidate will combine strong leadership, strategic planning, collaboration and relationship-building skills to inspire alumni, donors and enhance student support in the Department of Economics. This position requires the ability to analyze donor trends, develop creative, impactful and innovative programs, manage high-profile events and oversee various forms/platforms of communications. Evening, weekend, and occasional regional or national travel are required.

This position will be 100% time appointment with a hybrid work schedule. The specifics of the hybrid schedule will need to be determined in a conversation with the position's supervisor.

Alumni Relations

• In coordination with the Director of Development, compose, respond, distribute and send all correspondence to alumni & donors.

• Coordinate alumni speaker events.

• Coordinate with Director of Development at UWF for all alumni and donor functions and campaigns.

• Design and implement social media plans to enhance awareness of events, workshops and department awareness.

• Plan and coordinate logistics and promotions for alumni and donor events locally and across the country as needed, at the chair’s discretion.

• Schedule, plan and communicate details for 2 EAB (Economics Alumni Board) meetings annually

  • Communicate important details about the department to EAB members throughout the year.

  • Create and deliver update of activities/progress presentation.

• Schedule, plan and communicate details for 2 WEYAC (Wisconsin Economics Young Alumni Council) meetings annually.

  • Create and deliver Alumni/Career presentation.

  • Coordinate with WEYAC chair on initiatives to engage and connect with students (such as LinkedIn groups, WEYAC student networking process, summer networking events).

Administrative

• Supervise Career & Outreach Manager, program coordinator analyst and as necessary student workers

• Help develop strategic framework for alumni/employer/student experiences

• Create and send bi-annual alumni newsletter

• Support administrative tasks including financial reconciliation, event planning and coordination, data collection and student communications to support the Career and Outreach Manager, Communications Manager and MS Program Managers.

• Assist in the development and implementation of alumni relations goals and operating policies and procedures to promote alumni impact for student experiences and fundraising activities in alignment with the strategic plan.

Programming

• Support student’s career progression through delivering workshop and programs, engaging alumni, etc.

• Co-facilitate student programs like Econ Engage, LEAD@Econ, Econ Elevate, etc.

• Develop new programming based on alumni, employer, donor and student feedback.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Exercise hiring authority for positions under the supervisory organization's purview

• Plans and leads the implementation of major alumni events, volunteer committees, and activities in alignment with strategic initiatives and objectives.

• Serves as a unit liaison for internal and external stakeholders, answers questions, and provides information about established programs based on set material or standards.

• Leads the development, production, and dissemination of communication and branding strategies and materials for the unit.

• Identifies data trends, errors, and insufficient data; and reports variances according to established policies and procedures

• Monitors, organizes, and updates donor records, and implements operating policies and procedures.

• Plans, directs, and executes alumni visits and discovery calls, passing leads to the appropriate major gift officers to cultivate relationships to assist in achieving established donor goals.

• Implement communication and branding campaigns as well as student-focused programs

Department:

College of Letters & Science | Department of Economics

Compensation:

The typical starting salary for this position is $51,995 to $75,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays and paid time off; competitive insurance and saving accounts; and retirement benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional work experience within higher education

• Minimum of 2 years of experience overseeing engagement strategies and communications

• Experience managing professional staff 

• Accuracy, attention to detail, and a customer service-oriented attitude

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in planning events 

• Experience in higher education student career development/advising/programming

• Ability to work collaboratively and be a team player

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

• Strong interpersonal abilities, and the capacity to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of individuals

• Proficient in the following areas: Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, as well as internet browsers and email platforms. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems

• Previous work with Alumni Board – Board of Visitors

Education:

Required

Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, marketing, public relations or an appropriate area of specialization

Preferred

Master’s Degree in business, communications, marketing, public relations, higher education administration or an appropriate area of specialization

How to Apply:

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.

You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

-Resume

-Letter of Qualifications/Cover Letter

Applicants should attach a letter of qualifications/cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field.

Selected applicants will receive an invitation to participate in interviews the week of December 8th, 2025. Second round interviews may be needed but will be determined later. Once final applicants are identified, they will be asked to provide names and contact information for at least three professional references, including a current/former supervisor. References will not be contacted without advanced notice. 

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Relocation funds are not available for this position.

This position will be eligible for a hybrid (in person/remote work) schedule. 100% remote work schedule is NOT an option for this position.

Contact Information:

Tammy Herbst-Koel, therbst@wisc.edu

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. 

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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

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Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. 
 
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 
 
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