Senior Manager, Alumni Relations

About Activate Global

Activate empowers scientists to reinvent our world and address climate change by bringing their research to market. We partner with leading funders and research institutions—including a groundbreaking new partnership with the National Science Foundation—to offer the Activate Fellowship, providing the funding, technical support, networking, community, and time that scientists need at the outset of their entrepreneurial journey.

The results are game-changing: Activate Fellows have launched 196 new companies since 2015. These companies have raised nearly $2.3B+ in follow-on funding, created more than 2,000 U.S.-based high-tech jobs, reached scientific breakthroughs, and defined new market categories. Activate supports fellows in Berkeley, CA; Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; and across the U.S. through Activate Anywhere.

Activate exists to create a better future, for all. In service of this purpose, we are building a foundation of equity and inclusivity across our business, including our operations, our fellowship, our partnerships, and our brand.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Alumni Relations Manager to lead and execute our alumni engagement strategy. The successful candidate will support the design and take full ownership of the implementation of a strategic plan aimed at serving alumni of our hard tech entrepreneurial fellowship program. This role is critical to fostering a thriving alumni network, understanding alumni needs, and delivering services that promote professional growth, community engagement, and sustained connection to our organization’s resources.

Key Responsibilities:

Alumni Strategic Plan Development & Execution:

1. Support VP, Strategic Initiatives to support the design of a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy.
2. Own the implementation of the strategic plan, ensuring it includes services applicable to at least 50% of alumni.
3. Set and achieve benchmarks for an 80% satisfaction rate among alumni who engage with provided services.

Alumni Services & Engagement:

1. Develop, coordinate, and manage a suite of alumni services tailored to support career progression, business growth, and continued education within hard tech industries.
2. Continuously assess and adapt services to align with evolving alumni needs and interests.
3. Create programs and events that foster meaningful networking opportunities, collaborations, and knowledge sharing among alumni.

Alumni Needs Assessment & Resource Connection:

1. Build and maintain strong, ongoing relationships with alumni to understand their needs and challenges.
2. Proactively connect alumni to resources within and outside the organization, including funding opportunities, mentoring, partnerships, and professional development.
3. Serve as a bridge between the alumni and the fellowship’s broader network of industry experts, investors, and academic institutions.

Alumni Giving & Support:

1. Develop and implement initiatives to encourage alumni to give back to Activate, including financial contributions, mentoring of current fellows, and volunteering.
2. Collaborate with the development team to create a clear alumni giving strategy and set realistic, impactful fundraising goals.
3. Cultivate a culture of giving by showcasing the impact of alumni contributions, both financial and non-financial, on the organization’s mission and its beneficiaries.
4. Build and maintain relationships with alumni who demonstrate interest in contributing to the nonprofit's sustainability and growth.

Alumni Communication & Reporting:

1. Develop and manage communication channels to keep alumni informed about new initiatives, services, and opportunities.
2. Ensure alumni feedback is captured, analyzed, and used to continuously improve the strategic plan and services.
3. Prepare reports and presentations on alumni engagement metrics, satisfaction levels, and program outcomes for senior leadership.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communication, education, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum 3-4 years of experience in alumni relations, program management, or a similar role, with a focus on entrepreneurial or hard tech environments.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful engagement strategies that drive measurable results.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to build relationships across diverse networks.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and alumni needs.
• Familiarity with the hard tech industry and entrepreneurship ecosystems is highly desirable.

This is a full-time position with a competitive salary range from $110,000 to $115,000/a year and a comprehensive suite of benefit offerings. This role includes up to 25% travel and also requires prolonged periods of working on a computer. This position will be based either in our Boston, New York or Berkeley, CA in-residence communities.

Encouraging Applications from All Backgrounds

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Activate Global, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.