Job Title: Director/ Deputy Director (Head) - Office of Parents and Alumni
Reports To: Pro -Vice Chancellor (Alumni Relations, Placements and Fundraising)
Location: New Delhi (on-site)
Experience (in years): Atleast 15-20 years of relevant experience in Alumni Relations, Higher Education Advancement, Community Engagement, Development, or related fields
About Ashoka University:https://www.ashoka.edu.in
About th Office of Parents and Alumni:
The Office of Alumni Relations plays a central role in cultivating a lifelong bond between Ashoka and its graduates (UG, ASP, YIF, Masters, PhD). With alumni excelling across diverse fieldsacademia, public service, entrepreneurship, policy, technology, social impact, and the artsthe office ensures this dynamic community remains connected, engaged, and empowered to give back. Through mentorship programs, reunions, global chapters, leadership councils, and alumni-driven philanthropy, the office creates opportunities for alumni to thrive and contribute to Ashoka's institutional journey. We currently have a total of 50 chapters with over 6000 alumnus across the globe.
Role Overview:
We are seeking a visionary and strategic leader with 15+ years of experience to head its Alumni Relations function. The individual will be responsible for building a world-class alumni engagement framework that fosters belonging, mobilises networks, and amplifies Ashoka's impact globally. This role demands an exceptional strategist, storyteller, and community builderone who can inspire alumni to remain lifelong partners of the University's mission.
This position offers an opportunity to create legacies, transform engagement into movement, and position Ashoka's alumni as ambassadors, mentors, and co-creators of the University's future.
Role and Responsibilities:
Strategic Vision and Leadership
- Develop and execute a multi-year alumni engagement strategy with measurable outcomes aligned with Ashoka's institutional goals.
- Build and lead the Alumni Relations Office into a high-performing, innovative, and future-ready function.
Community Building and Programs
- Create and sustain vibrant alumni networks through reunions, regional/global chapters, leadership councils, and digital communities.
- Design signature experiences such as Alumni Weekender, thematic meetups, alumni-in-residence programs, and international gatherings.
- Develop structured alumni mentorship programs with clear metrics, e.g., mentor-mentee matches increasing year-on-year.
Partnerships and Collaboration
- Collaborate with Admissions, Outreach, Placements, Fundraising, Communications, and Academics to integrate alumni into Ashoka's growth story.
- Facilitate alumni engagement as guest speakers, industry experts, and contributors to placements, internships, and panels.
Fundraising and Philanthropy
- Partner with the Development Team to strengthen alumni givingthrough class campaigns, giving circles, planned giving, and targeted initiatives.
- Create stewardship programs with measurable outcomes, e.g., annual recognition of alumni contributors and consistent year-on-year donor retention growth.
Global Outreach
- Expand Ashoka's alumni footprint internationally by establishing global chapters and related forums
- Foster strategic partnerships with global universities, industry bodies, and alumni-led organisations.
- Position Ashoka's alumni as global ambassadors, enhancing international reputation and influence.
Data, Systems and Insights
- Build and maintain robust alumni databases and CRM systems for tracking engagement, analysing impact, and informing strategy.
- Use analytics to track engagement rates, donor contributions, and chapter activity levels.
Leadership and Team Management
- Inspire and mentor a team of professionals and volunteers.
- Champion a culture of accountability, innovation, empathy, and service within the Alumni Relations function.
Eligibility/Qualifications:
- Postgraduate degree in any discipline; specialisation in communications, higher education, or management preferred.
- 15+ years of progressive experience in Alumni Relations, Higher Education Advancement, Community Engagement, Development, or related fields.
- Demonstrated success in designing and scaling alumni/community programs with measurable outcomes.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, donors, and external partners.
- Proven leadership experience managing teams and volunteers.
Skills Required:
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills; ability to inspire through storytelling.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
- Strategic thinker with a proven record of innovation and execution.
- Data-driven approach with experience in CRM/alumni management platforms.
- Ability to lead with empathy, authenticity, and vision.
- Willing to travel within India and abroad as per role requirement
Why Join Ashoka
At Ashoka, you will not just lead a departmentyou will shape a legacy. This is your chance to transform alumni engagement into a global movement, amplify Ashoka's reputation worldwide, and create a measurable impact. You will work with visionary leaders, build enduring communities, and leave behind an indelible mark on the future of higher education in India and beyond
