Job No. 156837
- Job Title:
- Assistant Director of Career and Networking
- Employer:
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James Madison University
- Location:
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Harrisonburg , VA
- Posting Date:
- 24-Oct-2025
- Description:
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General Information:
The Assistant Director of Career and Networking is a member within the division of University Advancement with full-time responsibilities within the Office of Alumni Relations. The Assistant Director reports to and takes direction from the Director of Alumni Relations.
The position’s core responsibilities include:
organizing professional development programs,
facilitating mentorship opportunities, as well as recruiting and training volunteers to fulfill mentoring programming needs,
promoting networking events sponsored by the JMUAA, Alumni Chapters, and the Office of Alumni Relations,
serving as Alumni Relations’ liaison to campus partners, including the University Career Center and academic units, for career-focused or networking events and programs, and
communicating with all alumni about our programs through LinkedIn, our website, Madison magazine and more.
A broader emphasis will be placed on overall ability to engage all alumni in the life of the university as volunteers, event participants, mentors, employers and donors in line with the strategic goals of the university; our division; and the Constituent Engagement unit, which includes Annual Giving and Family Engagement, as well as Alumni Relations and its connected 501(c)3, the more-than-170,000-member JMU Alumni Association.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Career and Networking focused programming and event planning:
Design and implement innovative programming and events that support alumni career development and professional networking.
Facilitate both online and in-person career/networking events and resources.
Manage OAR-sponsored mentorship opportunities for students and alumni.
Create and manage webinars with career or professional development content.
Lead events and programming connecting students and young alumni to alumni career networks.
Work with established resources to evaluate then refine or terminate existing offerings to benefit alumni professionally; create new ones; promote to alumni.
Research best practices at universities across the country.
Relationship Development and Management:
Implement an alumni mentor program through communication and stewardship of volunteers.
Build relationships and sustainable partnerships with departments across campus focused on career networking and student involvement.
Develop strategy and implement plan for collecting data for mentoring efforts happening campus-wide and not under the direction of OAR.
Facilitate alumni business focus groups (as part of volunteer engagement).
Develop strategy to support and grow the Alumni Small Business Directory.
Communication:
Identify key alumni to interview and feature in content across platforms including Madison magazine.
Develop exclusive communications, experiences, and promotional items for alumni engaged in Career, Networking and Mentoring programs.
Manage content and engagement in JMU Alumni’s LinkedIn group.
Function as a member of the Alumni Relations team
Assist the Director of Alumni Relations and Assistant Vice President for Constituent Engagement in planning and implementing events and other initiatives based on the priorities of the university and JMUAA
Attend department, unit and division meetings as requested
Represent Alumni Relations and the JMU Alumni Association at University, community and professional functions, as requested
Qualifications:
Required:
Bachelor's degree required, masters preferred
Three or more years of professional experience in alumni relations, career services, higher education, or program management.
Event planning and management experience, including virtual and in-person events, panels, and workshops.
Proven interpersonal and organizational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency with digital engagement tools (e.g., Zoom, LinkedIn, social media, online networking platforms).
Comfortable with traveling independently and ability to work some nights and weekends.
Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Experience with long and short-range plan implementation
Proficiency with digital engagement tools (e.g., Zoom, LinkedIn, social media, online networking platforms).
Preferred:
License to operate a motor vehicle
Demonstrated experience with storytelling and marketing programs/events
Experience with program development
Data management and analysis skills, with experience using CRM, database, or alumni engagement platforms
Proactive approach to customer service with the ability to work effectively with administration, faculty, volunteers, alumni and students
- Contact information:
- James Madison University
- Harrisonburg, VA 22807
- United States
- Employer's Website:
-
Visit Employer's website