Director, Regional Engagement

Director, Regional Engagement

The USC Alumni Association is seeking a thoughtful, strategic, and relationship-focused Director, Regional Engagement to help lead the next chapter of regional alumni connection and community building. Reporting to the Executive Director, Alumni Engagement, the Director will shape and launch a modernized regional chapter model that deepens engagement and broadens access for alumni across the country. This effort is part of USC's post-Centennial vision to cultivate a more welcoming and innovative approach to lifelong alumni involvement.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader and strategic thinker who excels at building relationships, navigating complex organizational systems, and translating ideas into action. With a passion for alumni engagement and a strong understanding of regional dynamics, the Director will drive programming and partnerships that align with university priorities while honoring the rich Trojan traditions that unite the global alumni community.

The Director will play a key role in evolving how alumni connect with each other and the university-ensuring every Trojan feels welcomed, valued, and inspired to stay involved, no matter where they live.

This is a hybrid-fixed position under our current work arrangement plan, with the expectation of an on-site presence for 3 days/week on the University Park Campus. Late nights, weekends, and travel are required for this position.

University Advancement is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all, where all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting the University of Southern California's mission, values, and goals.

Responsibilities

Strategic Direction (40%)

• Oversee the development, implementation, and launch of a new regional chapter model that encourages broader alumni participation across diverse geographies, backgrounds, and experiences.

• Design and execute innovative, community-focused alumni programs and events that align with USC's mission and reflect the needs and interests of alumni across various regions, including but not limited to Scend Offs, ReSCeptions, and USC Day of SCervice.

• Create strategies for enhancing alumni involvement, increasing attendance at events, fostering volunteer leadership, and encouraging lifelong relationships with USC.

Volunteer & Program Management (30%)

• Actively recruit, manage, and train alumni volunteers for leadership positions within the regional networks that represent the full spectrum of the overall alumni body.

• Establish policies, standard operating procedures, goals, metrics and other key performance indicators to measure the ongoing effectiveness and impact of the program.

• Create and manage systems for communicating effectively with volunteer leadership that ensures compliance, encourages collaboration and sharing across regions, and leads to continuity of the program.

• Ensure all volunteers are stewarded and thanked appropriately for their level of service that is consistent across our programs.

• Conduct end-of-year program and volunteer evaluations, including volunteer surveys, to ensure we meet the needs of our volunteers and goals of our program.

• Develop and maintain relationships with key volunteer leadership, support the Board of Governors committees, and identify opportunities to grow the USCAA volunteer and engagement pipeline

Leadership & Program Management (30%)

• Manage a team of regional engagement staff, providing management, advice, support, and guidance of the day-to-day operations. Hire and train staff as appropriate in the areas of volunteer management, event strategy and planning, communications and budgeting.

• Participate in event planning and debriefs, goal setting, and benchmarking

• Manage and evaluate team budgets, policies, and procedures.

• Ensure all volunteers are coded in the database to ensure proper tracking and building of a volunteer pipeline.

• Work closely with annual giving, major and planned giving, to increase the donor pipeline through referrals and activation of alumni volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.

• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Minimum of five years of professional experience in alumni engagement and program management, or related function/field.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and deliver formal presentations to senior management and other audiences.

• Proven track record of successfully managing regional programs, events and volunteers

• Possess a strong track record of working with teams to envision and execute strategic initiatives that will increase engagement and philanthropic support.

• Ability to juggle a vast quantity of incoming information, interruptions, and inquiries with a high level of professionalism and tolerance for ambiguity.

• Demonstrated ability to serve different audiences and to work to build consensus among team members; excellent skills to advise and consult management on all aspects of communications, including dealing effectively with sensitive or complex issues of information.

• Proficiency with Salesforce or other CRM and the Microsoft suite of applications as well as other applications, programs and databases; demonstrated experience with web and new media technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree

• Advanced knowledge of current affairs and issues in higher education with ability to quickly and thoroughly understand the changing higher education landscape

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Strong project/program management skills with demonstrated effectiveness in data analysis, critical thinking, creative problem solving, consulting, facilitation, negotiating, influencing, people leadership and strategic decision-making skills.

• Thorough knowledge of market research and of current/emerging marketing trends and best practices including digital strategies/technologies.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment toUSC's Unifying Valuesof integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Required Documents

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

Compensation and Benefits

The budgeted salary range for this position is $105,000 - $110,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefitshere.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 5 years
Additional Experience Requirements: Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience
Minimum Skills: Experience in development, maintaining meaningful relationships with a wide variety of internal/external stakeholders. Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments and manage multiple deadlines. Experience maintaining and interpreting large datasets and database systems. Excellent planning, organizational and interpersonal skills. Detail oriented with excellent written and oral communication skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree Business Administration Or Bachelor's degree in related field(s)
Preferred Experience: 5 years
Preferred Skills: Development experience in higher education. Experience in management/leadership roles. Volunteer experience in fundraising, campaign or non-profit environments. Experience with email marketing, website development/coding and Adobe Creative Suite. Extensive customer service experience. Fluent in one or more language in addition to English (e.g., Spanish).