Job Details

Eastern Washington University
  • Position Number: 6541092
  • Location: Cheney, WA
  • Position Type: Alumni Associations and Services


Assistant Director of Alumni Traditions

About Eastern Washington University:
Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the regions polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWUs 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washingtons second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelors and masters degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a 24-25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur dAlene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.



Job Summary:
The Assistant Director of Alumni Traditions leads the coordination, preservation, and evolution of Eastern Washington Universitys most meaningful alumni and campus traditions. This role is responsible for designing and delivering inclusive, mission-driven programs that foster institutional pride, strengthen alumni identity, and build meaningful connections across generations of Eagles. Through these traditional events, the role supports the strategic goals of both the EWU Alumni Association and the university.

In partnership with campus stakeholders, volunteers, and student staff, the Assistant Director of the drives engagement through both digital and in-person platforms. This position oversees hallmark programs such as Pass Through the Pillars, Senior Send-Off, Homecoming, Alumni Awards, Legacy Groups (e.g., Past Presidents of the Alumni Board, Tawanka Service Organization), class reunions, and more.

This dynamic position is part of the fast-paced, collaborative Alumni Relations team within the University Advancement Division at Eastern Washington University. Standard office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, evening and weekend work is required, along with occasional travel outside the Spokane and Cheney areas. The Assistant Director of Alumni Traditions also plays a key role in supporting and coordinating the efforts of staff, students, and volunteers involved in planning and executing alumni events.

The salary for this position is $64,164 (minimum) up to $70.000. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/ .

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelors degree and a minimum of five years of related experience
  • Strong commitment to EWUs mission, values, and community
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
  • Exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail
  • Demonstrated success in building relationships with diverse stakeholders
  • Experience planning, promoting, and executing programs or events
  • Enthusiastic, people-centered approach with a passion for engagement
  • Familiarity with the EWU community and eagerness to deepen institutional knowledge
  • Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive of the needs including universal access of our students, faculty, staff and the public.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Graduate of Eastern Washington University
  • Experience working in event planning and logistics
  • Experience in higher education alumni relations, annual giving, or stewardship
  • Proficiency with tools such as Eventbrite, WordPress, MailChimp, and Salesforce

Other Skills and Abilities:

Job Duties:
Coordinate and Enhance Alumni Traditions:
  • Lead signature alumni traditions including Pass Through the Pillars, Senior Send-Off, Homecoming, Reunions, and the Alumni Awards Gala- overseeing planning, implementation, and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure all alumni events align with EWUs values, enhance school spirit, and foster institutional pride.
  • Promote multi-generational engagement through tradition-based programming that connects past, present, and future Eagles.
  • Develop and manage comprehensive event plans, including timelines, logistics, task assignments, and operational details.
  • Coordinate with vendors, student organizations, university departments, and external partners to ensure seamless event execution.
  • Oversee event budgets from initial estimates through reconciliation, ensuring responsible and strategic use of resources.
  • Manage event registration processes, ticketing systems, and accurate attendance tracking.
  • Lead on-site execution of events, supervising staff, students, and volunteers to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
  • Conduct post-event assessments, facilitate team debriefs, and implement improvements based on feedback and data.
  • Steward relationships with event sponsors and donors, as assigned, ensuring recognition and retention.
  • Maintain organized records, manage event-related contracts, and prepare timely follow-up reports and documentation.
Percent of Time: 40

Facilitate Alumni Engagement, Marketing, and Communications:
  • Support a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that aligns with engagement goals and is guided by performance metrics.
  • Collaborate, create and manage alumni communications in partnership with the Alumni Relations team: email campaigns, social media, website, print and more.
  • Serve as primary liaison to the EWU Alumni Associations Traditions Team on the Board of Directors.
  • Research and curate content for the alumni newsletter, Eastern Magazine, and digital platforms and other channels.
  • Maintain consistency of the EWU Alumni Association brand, including stewardship of the Eagle4Life identity.
  • Collaborate across campus to support messaging that effectively connects with and reflects the values of the alumni community.
  • Provide guidance and oversight on alumni-related communications developed by other departments to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with alumni engagement goals.
  • Fulfill alumni list and data requests in coordination with Advancement Services.
  • Track and analyze communication performance and engagement data to inform strategy, while maintaining organized archives of marketing materials for reference and consistency.
  • Support marketing and communication efforts through additional duties as assigned, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to evolving needs.
Percent of Time: 40

Support the EWU Alumni Association and Board Initiatives:
  • Provide logistical and administrative support to the EWU Alumni Association Board of Directors and its working teams- including assistance with meetings, special projects, and all board functions.
  • Coordinate board member recruitment and selection processes.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director or Board President.
Percent of Time: 10

Support Office Operations and Serve in a Leadership Capacity:
  • Assist the Director with daily operations and office management.
  • Train and supervise student employees, ensuring a welcoming environment.
  • Maintain alumni records and support Salesforce-based donor communication.
Percent of Time: 10
Conditions of Employment:
This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

This is an Administrative Exempt position and is covered by EWU Policy 406- 01, Exempt Employment https://inside.ewu.edu/policies/knowledge-base/ewu-406-01-exempt-employment/

After starting employment, employees will be required to complete training. Training will be made available either in person or via Zoom, and you will be contacted at a later date with further details once the schedule has been finalized.

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.
Salary Information:
The salary for this position is $64,164 (minimum) up to $70.000. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

Posting Date: 09/03/2025
Open Until Further Notice: Yes
Closing Date:
Screening to Begin: Immediately

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/13951










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