Associate Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement provides strategic leadership for the University’s key event programming and community engagement functions. This position oversees the design, planning, and execution of a comprehensive portfolio of on-campus events and external community engagement activities that strengthen alumni connections, build institutional community presence, and advance University Advancement goals. The Associate Director supports the Engagement and Events team, directs the development of institutional community partnerships, and serves as a representative of the University in regional civic and professional networks. Community is directed toward alumni, with the remaining 30 percent aimed at community partners, business leaders, and regional stakeholders.

Job Description

DUTIES AND TASKS:

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar or related or a logical assignment to the position. Management may require incumbents to perform duties other than those contained in this document.

• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the full portfolio of university event programming, ensuring alignment with University Advancement priorities, institutional goals, and brand standards.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor the Engagement and Events team, including the Assistant Director of Engagement and Special Events, establishing performance expectations, providing ongoing coaching, and supporting professional development.
• Design and continuously refine an annual events calendar and engagement strategy, incorporating alumni gatherings, speaker series, galas, award ceremonies, networking receptions, and other University signature events, and manage all event logistics while overseeing the team’s execution of all programming.
• Serve as a representative of the University at external community events and within regional civic and professional organizations, building high-value relationships with business leaders, institutional partners, and community stakeholders.
• Direct volunteer engagement strategy, ensuring event attendees and community contacts are channeled into sustained University involvement through College Advisory Councils, the Alumni Ambassadors Program, peer mentoring programs, student networking events, and classroom speaking engagements.
• Develop and manage the department budget, overseeing event expenditures, vendor contracts, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility and maximize return on investment.
• Establish annual department goals, key performance indicators, and reporting benchmarks in partnership with the AVP of University Advancement and deliver regular performance reports with strategic recommendations.
• Lead cross-campus collaboration with departments including Career & Workforce Engagement, Athletics, Academic Colleges, and Student Affairs to develop integrated event programming that connects alumni and community members with the University community.
• Direct alumni engagement strategy across the alumni lifecycle, overseeing affinity-based programming, career networking initiatives, and young alumni outreach to drive participation rates and deepen institutional connections.
• Lead digital engagement strategy, overseeing the promotion of events, alumni and community outreach, and volunteerism across relevant online platforms to maximize reach and participation.
• Lead campus-wide career and workforce engagement strategy by mobilizing alumni and community networks to create structured connections between employers, industry leaders, and University stakeholders, including students, faculty, and academic departments, in close collaboration with Career Services.
• Partner with the AVP of University Advancement, development, and annual giving leadership to integrate events and engagement programming into fundraising campaigns and align activities with philanthropic cultivation strategies.
• Identify and cultivate highly engaged alumni and community contacts as potential annual and major gift prospects, collaborating directly with development officers on strategy and relationship stewardship.
• Oversee donor stewardship and recognition efforts delivered through engagement programming and events, ensuring meaningful touchpoints that reinforce donor relationships.
• Oversee data integrity standards for all event and engagement activity in the CRM, collaborating with Advancement Services to ensure high-quality reporting and analytics that inform strategy.
• Represent the Events and Engagement function in University-wide planning processes, contributing to institutional strategic initiatives and cross-divisional collaborations that advance the University’s mission and community profile.
• Lead strategy to develop and negotiate formal community partnerships, including Memoranda of Understanding with employers, civic organizations, and regional entities, while stewarding existing relationships that advance University engagement goals and amplify institutional presence in the broader community.

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Other duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a broad range of internal and external constituents.
• Demonstrated experience leading event planning and logistics management at a senior level, including overseeing on-campus programs and representing an organization at external community events.
• Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience, including managing staff and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze engagement data and apply insights to improve strategy.
• Strong project management and budget management skills, with demonstrated ability to oversee multiple concurrent initiatives and manage departmental resources effectively.
• Experience working with CRM systems such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five or more years of progressive experience in event management, alumni relations, higher education, community relations, and/or nonprofit leadership, with demonstrated growth in scope and responsibility.
• Experience developing or negotiating institutional partnerships, including Memoranda of Understanding, and supporting engagement initiatives tied to fundraising, donor cultivation, or community relations.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university required; master’s degree preferred.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as necessary.

ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.   The employee is occasionally required to lift to ten pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

NOTICE:
The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student, and graduate success.

Why Work at Saint Leo?

What it’s Like to Work Here: Ask our employees and the one word they’d use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world.  Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!

We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).

• FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents*
• Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees*
• Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
• Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
• 100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Wellness Center

*Eligibility based on meeting required service period

2025 ICUBA Benefits Guide_St Leo