Position Title:Alumni Relations and Events Coordinator
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree
Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in communications, event management, public relations, or a related field
Experience developing or managing alumni engagement or similar communication or outreach programs
Experience planning and implementing small, medium and large-scale events
Experience working with multiple constituents in a corporate, higher education or other organization
Experience using digital tools or platforms to enhance engagement, such as email marketing software, CRM systems, or alumni/donor databases.
Job Description:
Iowa State University's College of Design is seeking an Alumni Relations and Events Coordinator. This position plays a key role in the Strategic Communications unit and works closely with the Dean's Office, Advancement Team, Career Services, and all departments within the college. The successful candidate will lead efforts to grow alumni engagement, coordinate a variety of college-level events-including commencements, ceremonies, celebrations, workshops, receptions, and reunions-and help build a strong network of alumni supporters. Collaboration with partners across campus, including other colleges, the Iowa State University Alumni Association, and the Iowa State University Foundation, is an important part of this role, especially for coordinating joint events and programs.
The ideal candidate will be highly organized and able to plan and manage multiple projects, working independently as well as with various internal and external stakeholders. Excellent communication skills are essential, along with strong customer service abilities and effective time management. This role requires adaptability, on-site problem solving, and experience creating targeted communications to enhance constituent relationships and promote events.
Candidates should be comfortable with flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends, and should be able to lift and move items up to 50 pounds (with or without accommodation) during event setup. Occasional domestic and international travel may be necessary, offering opportunities for growth and unique professional experiences.
Example of Duties
Assist in developing, strengthening, and implementing college and departmental-level alumni communications and programs
Prepare monthly college alumni e-newsletter and contribute to alumni print publication
Assist in building alumni engagement on targeted social media platforms
Coordinate alumni award nominations, selections, and presentations
Plan, promote, coordinate, and implement alumni and college events
Serve as the College of Design's representative on the university's Alumni Relations Council
The College of Design is an incredible place to work-full of creativity, energy, and enthusiasm. As a smaller college at the university, it offers a close-knit community where meaningful collaboration thrives across departments. Watching students grow and flourish through their studies is deeply rewarding. Combined with a welcoming and supportive culture, the college is a place where people feel genuinely valued and inspired.
The selected candidate will be hired as an Alumni Relations Specialist I.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Level Guidelines- Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision- Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode- Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope- Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained- Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate- May lead projects of limited scope and complexity- May provide guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS806
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: - Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans - Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans - Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) - Life insurance and long-term disability - Flexible Spending Accounts - Various voluntary benefits and discounts - Employee Assistance Program - Wellbeing program - Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: July 28, 2025
Posting Close Date:August 4, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R17484
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
