Director of Alumni Relations, College of Pharmacy

The Director of Alumni Relations is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing alumni engagement, stewardship, outreach, and constituent relations initiatives that strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, professional and industry partners, and other  stakeholders in support of the College of Pharmacy's mission and strategic priorities. Plan alumni, donor, and constituent events, programs, public forums, displays, and exhibitions. Ensure engagement activities and related communications are coordinated with appropriate college, university, and advancement partners. 

The Director of Alumni Relations serves as a visible representative of the College of Pharmacy and participates in occasional evening and weekend constituent, donor, alumni, and college events. This position requires regular on-campus presence and is not eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement. Typical office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, occasional schedule flexibility is required to support events and other position responsibilities outside regular business hours.

About the College

The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, established in 1885, is widely recognized for its longstanding commitment to preparing highly skilled pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. The PharmD program emphasizes a strong foundation in science and evidence-based practice while offering opportunities to explore a variety of career paths and develop leadership skills. Students can further specialize through certificates in Palliative Care Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, and Business Leadership or combined degree programs such as PharmD/MPH and PharmD/MS in Health Informatics. The college also offers PhD programs in drug discovery and experimental therapeutics, health services research, and pharmaceutics, supported by faculty deeply engaged in both fundamental and translational research.

The college enrolls approximately 400 PharmD students and nearly 70 PhD students, supported by 60 faculty members and about 850 preceptors and adjunct faculty who contribute to experiential learning. Close collaboration with UI Health Care and other healthcare colleges enhances training and research opportunities. Additionally, UI Pharmaceuticals, an FDA-registered manufacturing facility within the college, brings over 50 years of expertise in pharmaceutical development and testing, helping advance life-saving therapies from early development through commercialization worldwide.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Message Development

Provide strategic direction for alumni, donor, and constituent communications and stewardship materials. May collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure these communications support established college messaging, brand standards, and strategic priorities. Coordinate with advancement partners on donor-related communications and assess the effectiveness of alumni and constituent engagement efforts.

• Responsible for developing and directing alumni, donor, stewardship, and constituent messaging that supports engagement goals and strategic priorities.
• Coordinates with the Director of Marketing and Communications to identify and coordinate alumni, donor, and constituent content for the collegiate website, social media, digital communications, and print newsletters.
• Plan, advise, and direct donor stewardship correspondence.

Public Relations 

Develop and manage relationships with constituent groups, including university colleagues, alumni, employers, donors, corporate partners, and legislators. Represent the college on appropriate internal or external committees, agencies, and associations. Drive engagement activities. Plan and participate in fundraising activities both on and off campus. Serve as college liaison to the UI Foundation. May coordinate membership and activities of collegiate/unit advisory boards, and itineraries of VIP visitors.

• Strategize, plan, and oversee the execution of donor and alumni events.
• Represent college at legislative, scholarship, constituent, and donor events.
• Assist with VIPs, alumni, and campus partners’ tours of the building or other activities.

Information Management

Establish and oversee information-management practices for alumni, donor, and constituent engagement, in coordination with applicable university and advancement partners.  

• Develop and maintain processes for gathering, organizing, and using alumni, donor, and stakeholder information to support engagement, stewardship, and relationship-management activities.
• Strategize and execute methods of data collection to assist with engagement decision-making.
• Report pertinent metrics to administration.

Strategic Planning

Create and oversee implementation of a strategic alumni engagement, constituent relations, and outreach plan. Direct planning for multiple relationship-building and engagement areas within the college. Assess progress toward alumni, stewardship, and constituent relations goals. May coordinate efforts with and provide input to the Director of Marketing and Communications, advancement partners, and other institutional stakeholders.

• Contribute to the organization’s overall strategic plan by aligning strategies and tactics. This may include collaborating with other strategic communication leaders. 
• Map out significant stakeholders, including alumni, donors, professional organization leaders, campus partners, and peer institution leaders.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and shifts in alumni relations, campus activities, and adapt strategies.

Financial Responsibility 

Responsible for all aspects of the alumni engagement, constituent relations, stewardship, and outreach budgets for the college. Provide final approval of financial transactions within assigned authority. Create systems for effective implementation and monitoring.

• Manage budget for alumni relations activities, ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Assist development officer and dean in boosting annual fund dollars and ensure appropriate use of funds consistent with donor intent.
• Evaluate financial impact of initiatives and programs to ensure that they deliver value to the college.

Leadership/Supervision

Supervise assigned alumni relations staff and student employees. Ensure compliance with all UI and UI Foundation policies and procedures. Provide leadership in staff planning, performance management, and professional development. Develop and direct the unit strategic plan, budget, and operations within the position’s assigned scope. Assess effectiveness and develop and manage operational improvement plans.

• Develop and execute alumni relations strategies in alignment with collegiate goals. 
• Set objectives, identify key stakeholders, and create plans to engage with them effectively.
• Ensure alumni, donor, and constituent engagement activities and related communications are consistent with established collegiate brand standards and strategic priorities.

To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact Libby Kleppe at [email protected].

Equal opportunity employer