Director of Alumnae Relations

Organization	St. Mary's Academy
Date Posted	March 17, 2026
City	Portland
State	Oregon
Location	100% On-site
Type of Position	Full-Time
Primary Job Function	Program
Secondary Job Function	Fundraising
Educational Requirement	Bachelor's Degree
Experience Requirement	3-5 years
Salary Range	$75,000 – $80,000 annually

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Description & Details

 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE RELATIONS 

REPORTS TO	Director of Advancement
FLSA STATUS	Exempt
JOB STATUS	Regular, Full Time (12 Month)

St. Mary's Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary since 1859, is a Catholic high school for young women, providing a challenging college-preparatory education in a vibrant learning environment. Guided by the values and charism of the Sisters, St. Mary's fosters a diverse community and educates the whole person by nurturing spirituality, encouraging creativity, promoting justice, and inspiring a sense of global interdependence to prepare students for service and leadership.

Full-time, salaried, exempt, 12-month position. The Director of Alumnae Relations is an integral part of the St. Mary’s Academy Development Department and reports to the Director of Advancement. The primary purpose of this position is to expand, manage, and implement an effective and strategic alumnae program that deepens alumnae affiliation with St. Mary’s as demonstrated through increased participation, volunteerism, and giving. The Director of Alumnae Relations will work cross-functionally to ensure the alumnae program is rooted in Community Engagement, Student Support, Philanthropy, and Admissions efforts. The Director of Alumnae Relations is responsible for the implementation of the strategic vision of this program, cultivation of new and existing alumnae relationships, execution of engagement opportunities and events, management of the Alumnae Advancement Council, and oversight of all marketing materials related to the Alumnae Relations program.

The Director of Alumnae Relations cultivates relationships between the school and its alumnae by 1) Managing and implementing a diverse sequence of alumnae events, 2) Gathering information about alumnae for the school and communicating information about the school to alumnae and 3) Identifying, cultivating, and stewarding alumnae to become and remain lifelong advocates, stakeholders, and donors. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the Director of Alumnae Relations to regularly evaluate, strategize, and further develop the alumnae program.

• Develop and implement a clear strategic plan for the alumnae relations program, focused on increased engagement of alumnae as donors, volunteers, and advocates of St. Mary’s Academy.
• Create a calendar of events and programs that supports the overall strategic vision of the program, engages alumnae of all ages including, but not limited to, alumnae reunions, recognition events, community building events, and social/service events. This plan should be rooted in the mission, data, target goals, and outcomes.
• Develop relationships with increasing numbers of alumnae from a variety of graduation years, both in group settings and through individual meetings.
• Work closely with the Director of Annual Giving & Foundation Relations to create an alumnae giving strategy that supports the St. Mary’s Annual Fund initiatives.
• Work closely with the Director of Special Events to create and develop alumnae engagement and giving strategies when it comes to the three core special events each year.
• Through engaging and inspiring events, programming & communications, provide a continual pipeline of alumnae donors, meeting alumnae goals for annual fund, auction, special events, and reunion giving. Determine annual goals, based on alumnae participation and giving data. The Director of Alumnae Relations is responsible for cultivating, stewarding and securing pipeline to four-figure leadership gifts.
• Strengthen the student connection with the alumnae program. In collaboration with the Director of Advancement, develop a student to alumnae program that includes leveraging key alumnae stakeholders to engage with the student leadership program, building on the Mary Shindler Boyle ’67 Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
• Develop ways for students grades 9-12 to become aware of how alumnae can remain engaged with the school.
• Provide staff leadership for the Alumnae Advancement Council. Manage, recruit and steward effective, dedicated, and loyal volunteers – including council leadership. The Alumnae Advancement Council is a key pillar of the overall alumnae program, and should continually be connecting the wider Alumnae Association to the school. Alumnae Council Members should be a pipeline of donors, potential Board Members, and lead volunteers.
• Develop a plan to engage alumnae outside the Portland area including regional events, identifying regional alumnae leadership and correspondence.
• Collaborate with Marketing/Communications staff on social media, digital, and print communications targeted toward alumnae community.
• Facilitate reunion planning for alumnae celebrating fewer than 50 years, staff on-site reunions, and promote reunion giving.
• Lead and execute a Young Alumnae Giving Program starting with graduating seniors.
• Respond to alumnae communications via phone, mail, social media, and email promptly and thoughtfully.
• Review alumnae pages of school website regularly and provide updated information to appropriate personnel.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Advancement.

• Proven track record in cultivating constituent relationships and building program initiatives that result in increased engagement and philanthropic support
• Preferred experience: three to five years of alumni/alumnae relations, event management or development/marketing experience preferred
• Ability to build strong relationships with a range of individuals including alumnae of all ages, staff members, and students
• Ability to work under deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Ability to effectively recruit, mobilize, train, direct, and inspire volunteers
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials
• Self-directed, team player, accountable for scope of responsibility
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends
• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite; database, social media experience desired
• Excellent communication skills; written and verbal
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to manage and prioritize tasks with attention to detail
• Experience attending, volunteering at or working for an independent/private school preferred
• Ability to connect St. Mary’s mission with all alumnae program activities
• Commitment to the equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging priorities of the school
• Desire to fully engage in the life of the school and community
• Willingness to embrace the Catholic tradition, the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, all-girls education and develop a passion for the school’s unique mission

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt, 12-month position. 

St. Mary's Academy is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to our eligible employees:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at no cost to employee only
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employer paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Vacation and sick leave
• Holiday pay
• Retirement 403(b) plan
• Paid jury duty
• Paid bereavement leave
• Life Insurance
• Tuition remission for your daughter to attend St. Mary's Academy
• Employee Assistance Program

St. Mary’s Academy provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, St. Mary's Academy complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

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Application Instructions

Position is open until filled. Qualified applicants may submit resume, cover letter and three professional references to annie.diess@smapdx.org. Please submit in a single pdf and no phone calls. Applications will be reviewed immediately.

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