Director, Alumni and Supporters

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director, Alumni and Supporters leads National FFA’s strategy to engage alumni, supporters and volunteers throughout their lifelong connection to FFA. The Director is accountable for increasing participation, volunteer service, advocacy and philanthropic engagement while strengthening state associations, local affiliates and agricultural education programs.

The Director owns the Alumni and Supporters strategy, operating plan and performance framework and serves as National FFA’s subject-matter leader for alumni and supporter engagement. The position works closely with Development, Marketing and Communications, Programs and state associations to connect alumni engagement with organizational priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

Strategy and Engagement

• Lead the national strategy and annual operating plan for FFA Alumni and Supporters.
• Set priorities, allocate resources and establish measurable goals for the portfolio.
• Build engagement pathways from graduating FFA members and young alumni to lifelong supporters, volunteers, donors and leaders.
• Develop strategies that increase alumni participation, retention and connection to FFA.
• Create meaningful opportunities for alumni to serve as mentors, volunteers, advocates, ambassadors and industry connections.
• Use data and stakeholder feedback to evaluate, improve, expand or discontinue programs.

Volunteer and Affiliate Development

• Strengthen state and local alumni networks through adaptable resources, training and consultation.
• Recruit, develop and support alumni volunteers and leaders.
• Partner with state leaders and agricultural education teachers to identify ways alumni and supporters can strengthen local programs.
• Lead and support the National FFA Alumni and Supporters Advisory Committee.

Philanthropic Engagement

• Partner with Annual Giving and Development to create alumni giving pathways and increase philanthropic participation.
• Identify and qualify prospective donors through alumni engagement and transition appropriate prospects to Development.
• Engage alumni and supporters as advocates, ambassadors and storytellers for fundraising priorities.
• Track alumni giving and movement through the engagement-to-donor pipeline.

Partnerships and Communications

• Build relationships with state associations, agricultural education leaders, employers, industry partners and other organizations.
• Connect alumni with mentoring, career exploration and workforce opportunities for FFA members.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to develop targeted alumni communications and share stories of impact.
• Represent National FFA with key internal and external stakeholders.

Team, Budget and Performance

• Lead, coach and develop the Alumni and Supporters team.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, vendors and program investments.
• Measure performance through alumni engagement and retention, volunteer participation, strength of state and local networks, philanthropic participation, stakeholder satisfaction, program impact and data quality.
• Provide recommendations and updates to organizational leadership.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience required.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in alumni relations, nonprofit or membership engagement, advancement, fundraising, volunteer management or a related field.
• Five or more years of leadership experience, including staff supervision, budget accountability, strategy development and cross-functional implementation.
• Experience using CRM systems, data and audience segmentation preferred.
• Experience with FFA, agricultural education, agriculture, youth development or membership organizations strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic planning and execution
• Staff leadership and development
• Relationship and coalition building
• Alumni, volunteer and network development
• Fundraising and advancement
• Data analysis and CRM utilization
• Executive communication and facilitation
• Ability to navigate national, state and local organizational structures

Travel

• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 40–50%, including overnight travel and occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.