Job Description

USF Advancement connects the university with donors who want to make a difference by providing philanthropic support to promote student success, research, academic excellence and other strategic priorities. With an endowment that now exceeds $700 million in value, our dedicated team of approximately 200 professionals, including 60 fundraisers, encompasses alumni, development and foundation operations. The team is responsible for raising more than $150 million annually and has broken records year after year with more than $184 million raised in fiscal year 2025.

This position reports to the associate executive director and will be a member of the Student and Alumni Relations Team in implementing events, programs and activities that support the Association's goal of connecting alumni to the University. Specifically, the Assistant Alumni Director for Alumni Engagement will be responsible for continuous consultation with USF geographic based chapter and affinity-based society alumni volunteer leaders providing training, marketing, programming assistance, and general support of alumni members. This position will identify and develop both leaders and the overall group to ensure engagement goals are met.

This role is expected to serve as a forward-thinking contributor in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to enhance event strategy, streamline operations, and improve attendee engagement. The planner will integrate AI-driven tools and data insights into event planning, execution, and evaluation, ensuring innovative, efficient, and personalized event experiences aligned with the university’s strategic goals. A strong commitment to ethical, responsible, and effective use of AI is essential.

Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends is required. Must have the ability to travel frequently (up to 25% of time) to meet with chapter and society leaders within the state and country.

• USF Geographic Based Chapters and Affinity Based Societies: Identify, develop, cultivate, support and advise alumni volunteers and committees in the planning, execution, and evaluation of various social, networking, athletic, cultural, student and campus-based programs and events. Travel to active alumni markets to meet with volunteers, assist with events and encourage further participation and engagement with the university and the Alumni Association promoting life membership and identifying potential donors, corporate partners, volunteers, etc.
  
• Assist with strategic communications to local and regional alumni. Contribute ideas, assist with messaging and provide communications tools for campus or regional-based messages and Alumni Association promotions.

• Assist in execution of a strategic plan for alumni group growth and provide leadership training and resources for volunteer leaders. Oversee group web and social media presence in coordination with alumni leaders and communication staff . Provide guidance and assistance for group event marketing, including preparation of event invitations/emails. Provide direction and fiscal management for alumni group programs, including developing program-related budgets.
  
• Support and assist various university departments and colleges with alumni engagement opportunities. Other alumni group functions include data maintenance, contact list preparation, public speaking, and customer service.
  
• Young Alumni Outreach: participate in programs, services, and communications targeted to alumni 35 and under and students approaching graduation.

• General Alumni Association Support: Assist with and/or attend Alumni Association events including homecoming activities, signature events, commencement, board meetings, volunteer leadership trainings, etc.

• Community Engagement: Coordinate and participate in community groups, associations, and/or activities on relevant engagement opportunities for alumni. Assist the Alumni Association and community partners with communications to local alumni.

• Campus Relations: Coordinate with campus departments including Career Services, Student Affairs, Parent and Family Association, Development, Athletics and other campus departments on relevant engagement opportunities for alumni, including regional and local events, faculty speaking opportunities, etc.

This position requires Bachelor's degree and three years of experience related to alumni affairs, community relations or development. Related work experience may substitute on a year for year basis for the Bachelor's degree.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Three years of experience in volunteer management, relationship building, program development, and event planning is preferred. Higher education or non-profit experience is also preferred.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.