Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

We are a team of talented relationship builders with the shared mission of connecting, engaging, and supporting our Swarthmore College alumni and families.

We are committed to the following:

• Creating opportunities in everything we do that connect Swarthmore alumni, students, and the wider Swarthmore community;
• Developing programs valued by our alumni, families, and students who will become our future alumni;
• Building enduring and mutually beneficial relationships that inspire conversational, experiential, volunteer, and philanthropic engagement;
• Taking risks and championing new and creative ideas; and
• Strengthening the College’s reputation and advancing its mission.

The opportunity:

The Assistant Director, Alumni and Family Communities plays an integral role in developing and growing Swarthmore’s affinity-, regional-, and reunion-based alumni and family engagement programs. A builder and effective project manager, the Assistant Director brings their experience managing and developing volunteers and programs to grow engagement with the thriving academic culture of this liberal arts undergraduate community. The Assistant Director is responsible for growing the volunteer and experiential offerings of the Alumni and Family Programs department, including increasing constituent engagement through the management of  reunion and class year programs, the Swarthmore Family Ambassador’s Program, the Swarthmore Discussion Group, and the Swarthmore Travel Program.

Swarthmore values intentional community building by creating spaces for dialogue that foster intellectual curiosity and meaningful connections. The Alumni and Family Programs team contributes to this ethos and the educational mission of the College by engaging alumni, parents, and friends in the life of the College. To this end, the Assistant Director, Alumni and Family Communities will be a part of a team that engages and manages volunteers who support campus programs and departments.

In partnership with and reporting to the Director, Alumni and Family Communities, the Assistant Director will anticipate constituent needs, use insights to craft responsive offerings, and deliver positive and meaningful community connections, consistently.

Essential Responsibilities

• In collaboration with reunion fundraising committee managers and the Advancement Events team, recruit, staff, and engage the 15th, 20th, 35th, 40th, 45th, and 55th+ classes in year-round reunion activity planning, including virtual and in-person programs.
• Engage virtually and travel for volunteer recruitment, engagement, training, and committee meetings.
• Staff and manage the Swarthmore Discussion Group.
• Develop, staff, and engage families and alumni through the Swarthmore Travel Program.
• Utilize technology to communicate with alumni and constituents and understand key data that guides strategy setting.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Donor Relations team on the direction and implementation of digital and print communication initiatives, events planning, and volunteer stewardship.
• Actively engage in the College community, attending and supporting appropriate alumni and family engagement events related to assigned responsibilities.
• Communicate the vital role of philanthropy and volunteerism at Swarthmore College. Contribute to the development and implementation of institutional messages for broad-based constituencies.
• Attends and assists other College Advancement staff at College events as needed.
• Serves voluntarily on ad-hoc or standing College committees, as appropriate and with approval of the supervisor.
• Takes advantage of opportunities for professional development at least twice annually.
• Performs other assignments as directed by the supervisor.

Who you are:

• Demonstrated ability to strategize, implement, and build alumni and family programs and implement coordinated affinity activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
• Flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to work independently, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment.
• High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.
• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills; personal solicitation experience is valued.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of database research and maintenance.
• Ability to work with students, as well as volunteers of all ages.
• Must be able to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of three (3) years working in institutional advancement, volunteer management, or equivalent combination of education and/or professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a college or university setting, especially in a comprehensive fund-raising environment.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world’s most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus and collaborative work environment. Come join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

For full consideration, submit applications including resume and cover letter with pay expectations by June 5, 2023. If you are excited about this role, we want to hear from you!

Notice to Applicants – Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

Review the Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook, we offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

Tuition Grant Program

Paid Time Off (Staff) 

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.