Full-time, Continuing position
Salary 10A + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, and hybrid ways of working
About You
This is a senior, relationship‑led role focused on building meaningful, long‑term connections with RMIT’s global alumni community of c. 550,000 alumni. As Associate Director, Alumni Engagement, you will establish a new function with a clear purpose: designing programmes that deepen our alumni’s connection to the University and create mutual value. You will lead the development of strategy, recruit and build a specialist team, and bring together existing capability into a focused, high‑impact operation.
This role suits a confident, self‑starting leader who is comfortable working with senior stakeholders and thrives in environments where structure is still being created. You will design and deliver bespoke engagement initiatives and programmes linked to leadership, volunteering, student opportunity and philanthropy. You will personally engage with a portfolio of senior alumni, leading specific programs for this cohort in partnership with the University’s leadership. Success will come from your ability to build trust, navigate complexity, and represent RMIT with credibility while creating opportunities that genuinely resonate with our alumni communities both in Australia and internationally.
To be successful in this position, you’ll have:
Extensive knowledge and experience implementing and managing comprehensive alumni engagement programs, preferably in a Higher Education/Further Education setting.
Experience leading a team of subject matter experts in a complex environment.
Excellent relationship management skills, proven ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders to meet objectives.
Demonstrated project management skills and ability to lead and contribute analytically and creatively to projects.
Outstanding negotiating, verbal, and written communications skills.
Excellent organisational skills, ability to oversee multiple projects concurrently, and consistently meet deadlines.
Excellent analytical and reporting skills, including the ability to analyse engagement data, manage budgets, and interpret financial data.
Demonstrated capacity to work both independently and in multi-disciplinary team environments as team leader or member, to assess priorities, exercise discretionary judgment and negotiate at senior levels for sustainable outcomes.
Knowledge and experience using Advancement CRM databases.
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.
About the Portfolio
The Engagement Portfolio provides integrated, strategic leadership across the University to advance RMIT’s reputation, reach, and revenue, encompassing a range of functions, including domestic and international student recruitment; global marketing; market intelligence and proposition, strategic communications; Advancement (alumni engagement, philanthropy, donor stewardship and donor relations, and Advancement Services); and industry engagement and partnerships.
Through innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnerships, the Engagement Portfolio plays a critical role in diversifying revenue streams and expanding RMIT’s presence in alignment with its long-term strategic objectives.
Advancement develops and leads the engagement of the University’s largest community, the alumni (c. 550,000), leads fundraising in support of institutional priorities and stewards donors and alumni to generate measurable impact.
To Apply
Please submit your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for this role, including your experience in people leadership, senior stakeholder relationship management, and the design of engagement programmes.
For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Guy, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor via email guy.toogood@rmit.edu.au.
Position Description - Associate Director, Alumni Engagement
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RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.
At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via talentsupport@rmit.edu.au or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.
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