Director of Engagement

Position Summary:

The Director of Engagement provides strategic leadership for Fort Lewis College’s external engagement efforts within the Office for Advancement. This position oversees alumni engagement, annual giving, donor relations and stewardship, advancement communications, and constituent experiences and events that strengthen relationships between Fort Lewis College, the Fort Lewis College Foundation, alumni, donors, volunteers, students, and community members.
Working collaboratively with Advancement colleagues and campus partners, the Director of Engagement develops and leads integrated engagement strategies that advance the College’s philanthropic priorities, increase donor participation, deepen alumni connection and pride, foster a culture of appreciation for donors and volunteers, and elevate the impact of philanthropy and engagement at Fort Lewis College. Through the use of print, email, web, social media, digital engagement, volunteer initiatives, and events, this role ensures a coordinated, audience-centered approach to engagement and communication across the alumni and donor lifecycle.
This position serves as a key leader in the Office for Advancement and directly supervises the Alumni Officer, and Experience Manager, providing strategic direction, management, and mentorship across alumni engagement, annual giving, advancement communications, donor stewardship, and constituent experience.

Job Description:

Strategic Leadership and Engagement Vision

• Provide strategic leadership for Fort Lewis College’s alumni engagement, annual giving, donor relations and stewardship, advancement communications, and constituent-facing engagement efforts in support of the College’s mission, strategic priorities, and fundraising goals.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy that strengthens alumni connection and pride, deepens donor and volunteer relationships, expands annual giving participation, and supports philanthropic growth and advocacy for Fort Lewis College.
• Ensure engagement initiatives, annual giving efforts, and communications align with the Fort Lewis College 2030 Strategic Plan, the priorities of the Office for Advancement, and the goals of the Fort Lewis College Foundation.
• Serve as a key thought partner to Advancement leadership in shaping engagement, annual giving, and communication strategies that advance the College’s external relations and philanthropic objectives.
• Integrate alumni engagement, annual giving, donor stewardship, volunteer engagement, and recognition efforts to create a cohesive and meaningful constituent experience across the engagement continuum.

Annual Giving Strategy and Advancement Communications

• Provide strategic leadership for the College’s annual giving program, including the planning, execution, and evaluation of annual giving campaigns designed to increase donor participation, retention, and philanthropic support.
• Oversee a coordinated, multi-channel annual giving strategy that engages alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and other constituents through print, digital, social media, email, volunteer outreach, and event-based solicitations.
• Lead the strategic direction of advancement communications in support of annual giving, donor stewardship, alumni engagement, and fundraising priorities.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues and campus partners to identify, prioritize, and support annual giving opportunities that align with institutional priorities and fundraising goals.
• Oversee planning and strategy for key annual giving initiatives, including Giving Day/Giving Tuesday and other participation-focused campaigns and appeals.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services and development staff to evaluate annual giving performance, monitor donor trends and participation, and use data to inform segmentation, messaging, campaign timing, and future strategy.
• Ensure high-quality, audience-centered communications are developed and executed for the Office for Advancement through print, email, web, social media, and other constituent-facing channels.
• Meet regularly with staff and leadership across the College to assess, prioritize, and coordinate fundraising, annual giving, stewardship, and engagement communications on behalf of the Fort Lewis College Foundation and the Office for Advancement.
• Advise and support Advancement staff and campus partners on strategic, on-brand, and coordinated communications for alumni, donors, volunteers, and friends of the College.
• Partner with the Marketing & Communications Department and other campus partners to highlight the impact of philanthropy, annual giving, alumni engagement, and volunteerism through stories, campaigns, and recognition efforts.
• Oversee ongoing review and maintenance of Advancement, Foundation, annual giving, and Alumni Engagement web content and messaging.

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Provide strategic leadership for the College’s donor relations and stewardship program to ensure donors are meaningfully recognized, informed, and engaged in ways that strengthen long-term relationships with Fort Lewis College.
• Oversee stewardship communications and recognition efforts, including donor acknowledgement letters, annual impact reports, donor fund reports, donor impact stories, and other donor-facing materials.
• Guide stewardship strategy to ensure donor communications and recognition efforts are timely, personalized, and aligned with Advancement and Foundation priorities.
• Identify and implement strategies that strengthen the donor pipeline by connecting engagement efforts, annual giving participation, stewardship, and major and planned giving opportunities.
• Oversee and continuously assess donor relations and stewardship practices to improve effectiveness, consistency, and constituent experience.

Alumni Engagement and Volunteer Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the College’s alumni engagement efforts to strengthen lifelong relationships between Fort Lewis College and its alumni.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive alumni engagement plan that promotes alumni involvement, volunteerism, advocacy, philanthropic participation, and pride in Fort Lewis College.
• Direct the strategic planning of alumni communications, alumni-focused events, and alumni engagement opportunities in collaboration with Advancement staff and campus partners.
• Guide the development of alumni volunteer engagement strategies that foster meaningful connections among alumni, students, and the College, including mentorship, networking, advocacy, and service opportunities.
• Support the strategic development of affinity-based alumni engagement efforts, including chapters, advisory groups, and volunteer structures that deepen connection and belonging among alumni communities.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify opportunities for alumni engagement that support student success, career development, workforce connections, and institutional visibility.
• Serve as a visible leader and ambassador for alumni engagement at key College and Advancement events, gatherings, and constituent meetings.

Event and Constituent Experience Leadership

• Oversee the strategic planning and coordination of advancement events, alumni and donor experiences, and other constituent-facing engagement opportunities that strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Ensure engagement events and constituent experiences are mission-aligned, audience-informed, and effectively integrated with annual giving, fundraising, stewardship, alumni relations, and communications goals.
• Provide strategic direction for donor and alumni experiences, recognition events, and other engagement opportunities designed to deepen relationships and advance philanthropic and engagement priorities.
• Provide leadership to the Experience Manager in the planning and execution of alumni, donor, and advancement events locally, regionally, and nationally, ensuring a high-quality constituent experience and effective use of institutional resources.
• Evaluate event and constituent experience strategies for effectiveness, alignment, and return on investment, and adjust plans based on outcomes, constituent feedback, and institutional priorities.

Staff Leadership, Planning, and Administration

• Supervise and provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to the Alumni Officer, Annual Giving and Communications Coordinator, and Experience Manager.
• Establish priorities, clarify roles and expectations, and support professional development to ensure successful execution of alumni engagement, annual giving, stewardship, communications, and constituent experience initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture that supports innovation, accountability, and excellent constituent service.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across Advancement, including development, advancement services, and foundation operations, to ensure engagement strategies are coordinated and aligned with fundraising and stewardship goals.
• Develop annual strategic and operational plans for engagement, annual giving, donor relations, and communications programs, with measurable goals and outcomes aligned with the College’s and Advancement’s strategic priorities.
• Provide budget oversight and accountability for engagement-related programs, annual giving initiatives, communications, events, and vendor-supported projects.
• Identify, negotiate, and manage relationships with third-party vendors and partners that support annual giving, planned giving, communications, events, and engagement initiatives; ensure project scope, timelines, deliverables, and contract compliance are met.
• Establish and refine policies, procedures, standards, and workflows that support effective alumni engagement, annual giving, donor relations, communications, volunteer management, and event operations.
• In collaboration with Advancement Services and other Advancement leaders, develop and monitor performance metrics and reporting related to alumni engagement, annual giving, donor stewardship, communications, events, and volunteer participation.
• Ensure effective use of the alumni and donor database system for tracking meaningful engagement, annual giving activity, events, communications, stewardship activities, and fundraising-related outcomes.
• Conduct ongoing analysis of engagement, annual giving, stewardship, and communication programs to identify opportunities for improvement, increased efficiency, and stronger constituent impact.

Other

• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508.
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned, dependent upon the position’s current portfolio of programs.
• Ability to travel and drive with a valid driver’s license.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, alumni relations, fundraising, annual giving, donor relations, communications/public relations, marketing, event strategy, or a related field;
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects, programs, or cross-functional initiatives; and
• Minimum of two years of direct supervision of staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education, nonprofit advancement, or a related mission-driven environment;
• Working knowledge of annual giving, fundraising, stewardship, alumni engagement, volunteer management, and constituent relations strategies;
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing annual giving, alumni engagement, donor stewardship, advancement communications, or engagement strategies;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituents;
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff;
• Proven ability to use data, reporting, and performance metrics to inform decision-making and improve outcomes;
• Demonstrated experience in budget management, including vendor oversight and contract management;
• Experience developing and implementing standards, policies, and protocols for multifaceted programs and processes; and
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and project management skills, including strong copyediting and message development skills.

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

This position reports to the Vice President of Advancement and has supervisory responsibility for three positions - Alumni Officer, and Experience Manager.

Work Conditions and Physical Demand

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic)
• Fast-paced and fluid work environment
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time
• Light to moderate lifting is required
• Ability to drive with a valid driver’s license and be insured under Fort Lewis College’s policies

Travel:

Travel is required up to 30% of the time in this role including travel for regional and national engagement, as well as conference travel as deemed appropriate. Weekend and evening obligations are also required.

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range:

• Exempt
• Full Time
• Permanent
• Full Year
• Typical Work hours are 8am to 5pm Mountain Time Monday to Friday, with evening and weekend work based on event schedules. Schedules will be determined in collaboration with the Director of Engagement.

Compensation

The salary range is $77,500 to $86,000 , plus a 

comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process
A complete application packet includes:

• ​Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application materials received by 11:59 PM on August 9, 2026, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts

and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Notice to Prospective Employees:
 The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report.  The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

• Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy

• Sexual assault policy

• Campus security policies

• Campus/community resources

• The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment

• Where to find registered sex offender information

• Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years

• Reporting crimes

 
 The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at:   www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request.   You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.

Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Discrimination Questions?

Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone, Director of Compliance
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7182 [email protected]

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?    
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7049 [email protected]

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email [email protected] at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.