Alumni Engagement Manager

About the team

This position sits within the Development & Alumni Relations Office in the Division of External Engagement at the University of Otago. The team works in a collaborative, agile environment where new ideas are welcomed and flexible working practices support innovation.

About the role

As Alumni Engagement Manager, you will oversee a small, high-performing team and guide the delivery of an engaging, forward-looking alumni programme. The role is focused on building enduring relationships throughout the student journey, from initial connection through to alumni advocacy and long-term loyalty.

You will help strengthen Otago’s established alumni network while refreshing the strategy to better reach future alumni and reflect the breadth of the university community. A particular emphasis is placed on deepening engagement with Māori and Pasifika alumni.

The role also calls for new thinking in how alumni engagement is designed and measured. You will use data, insights, and technology to inform decisions, trial new approaches, and improve outcomes over time. In addition, you will contribute to growing Otago’s international alumni presence, with increasing attention on markets such as China and India. Global travel is required.

Key focus areas

• Turn strategy into practical, effective alumni engagement initiatives.
• Work closely with internal partners to create connected and consistent alumni experiences.
• Lead, support, and develop a small team while encouraging a constructive and high-performing culture.
• Review and refine programmes on an ongoing basis to increase reach, relevance, and impact.

Skills and experience

You will need the confidence and capability to lead relationships, bring people together, and deliver in a complex, service-oriented environment.

• Experience building and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop team members.
• Comfort handling competing priorities and working through complexity.
• A collaborative approach and clear, open communication style.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and practical problem-solving.

Further details

This role supports the Division of External Engagement’s commitment to being Te Tiriti-led as part of Vision 2040. The division actively supports Māori success through the use of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, respectful engagement with Kā Rūnaka, advancement of equitable outcomes, relationship building, and growth in individual and collective cultural capability.

The position is permanent, full-time, and based in Ōtepoti, Dunedin. Standard hours are 37.5 per week.

The salary band is $96,587 to $105,532 per annum, with the top of the range at $114,474. The university also offers 5 weeks of annual leave, a 6.75% superannuation scheme, and support for genuine work/life balance.

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

For more information or a confidential discussion about the role, contact Shelagh Murray, Director of Development & Alumni Relations.

Application details

Please submit a CV and cover letter by quoting reference number 2600940. Applications close on Sunday, 5 July 2026.