Alumni Coordinator
Facility: Thrive Now Recovery Centers
Location: Iowa City, IA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Full-Time; schedule flexibility may be required for alumni events, evening groups, and community activities
JOIN A MISSION THAT CHANGES LIVES!
At Thrive Now Recovery Centers and our affiliated treatment centers, we are building something different—programs that deliver exceptional, person-centered care and restore hope for individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance use and mental health disorders.
Our work is grounded in trauma-informed care, compassion, accountability, and integrity. Every team member plays an important role in helping individuals build meaningful, sustainable recovery.
If you are passionate about building community, staying connected with individuals after treatment, and helping people remain engaged in recovery long after discharge, we would love to hear from you.
About the Role
The Alumni Coordinator is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining a comprehensive alumni program that supports individuals as they transition from treatment into long-term recovery.
This role serves as an important bridge between discharged patients and ongoing recovery resources. The Alumni Coordinator helps create meaningful connections, strengthen continuity of care, improve alumni engagement, and build a strong recovery community.
The position works closely with Clinical, Operations, and Business Development teams to support aftercare planning, alumni programming, community partnerships, and long-term recovery engagement.
Why You Should Join Us
At Thrive Now, recovery does not end at discharge. We believe strong relationships, continued connection, and community support can make a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes.
As our Alumni Coordinator, you will have the opportunity to:
- Build an alumni program that creates lasting connections
- Develop meaningful recovery-focused events and activities
- Support individuals during a critical transition period after treatment
- Create opportunities for alumni to give back and mentor others
- Strengthen relationships between our facility and the surrounding recovery community
- Help shape a growing program with the opportunity to make it your own
What You'll Do
Alumni Program Development & Engagement
- Develop, implement, and maintain a structured alumni program for discharged patients
- Create and manage an alumni engagement calendar, including meetings, events, groups, outreach, and recovery activities
- Establish consistent post-discharge outreach at key intervals such as 30, 60, and 90 days
- Conduct follow-up calls, texts, and other approved outreach to maintain connection with alumni
- Encourage continued involvement in recovery-focused programming and community support
- Facilitate in-person and virtual alumni support groups
- Develop opportunities for alumni mentorship, service, and involvement with current patients
- Lead facility groups focused on alumni involvement, service opportunities, and maintaining connection after treatment
- Build scalable processes for alumni engagement as the organization grows
Continuity of Care & Recovery Support
- Partner with the clinical team to reinforce discharge and continuing-care plans
- Help connect alumni with appropriate community recovery resources, including:
- Outpatient treatment and IOP services
- Peer recovery and support groups
- 12-Step and SMART Recovery resources
- Medication-Assisted Treatment providers
- Community-based recovery resources
- Support warm handoffs between levels of care and community providers
- Reinforce relapse-prevention strategies and ongoing engagement in recovery
- Maintain appropriate boundaries while serving as a supportive recovery resource
Alumni App & Engagement Tracking
- Serve as the primary administrator for the organization's alumni engagement platform
- Manage alumni access, notifications, rewards, virtual meetings, and engagement activities
- Maintain accurate alumni participation and outreach information in applicable CRM, EMR, or tracking systems
- Monitor engagement analytics, attendance, check-ins, referrals, and other key performance indicators
- Develop and maintain RSVP tracking for alumni events and programming
Outcomes & Reporting
- Track alumni engagement and follow-up outcomes
- Monitor key indicators such as:
- 30-, 60-, and 90-day engagement
- Event and group participation
- Alumni check-in rates
- Referrals and continuing-care engagement
- Patient satisfaction and follow-up survey results
- Readmission trends, when applicable
- Prepare regular reports for leadership
- Review program data and adjust outreach strategies based on engagement trends
- Support organizational quality and value-based care initiatives through appropriate data collection
Events & Community Building
- Plan and coordinate alumni programming, including:
- Monthly alumni meetings
- Sober social activities
- Recovery celebrations
- Graduation and speaker meetings
- Annual alumni events or reunions
- Family engagement opportunities, when appropriate
- Partner with local recovery organizations and community groups to expand sober social opportunities
- Develop traditions and meaningful alumni recognition opportunities
- Help establish and grow an Alumni Committee
- Support the Alumni Committee in becoming an active, self-sustaining leadership group
- Foster an inclusive, welcoming, recovery-focused alumni community
Community & Referral Relationships
- Collaborate with Business Development and facility leadership to strengthen community partnerships
- Develop relationships with local recovery organizations, peer-support programs, and community resources
- Identify opportunities for alumni to participate in community service and recovery advocacy
- Support appropriate and compliant alumni success stories and community engagement initiatives
Compliance & Documentation
- Maintain appropriate documentation of alumni outreach and activities
- Protect patient and alumni confidentiality at all times
- Ensure alumni engagement activities comply with organizational policies and applicable requirements, including:
- HIPAA
- 42 CFR Part 2
- Confidentiality and privacy requirements
- Follow all facility policies related to patient communication, boundaries, documentation, and community engagement
Who You Are
You are someone who naturally connects with people and understands that long-term recovery is strengthened through community, accountability, and meaningful relationships.
You are organized enough to build and manage a program, but comfortable spending much of your time engaging directly with alumni and community partners. You bring energy, creativity, compassion, and strong personal boundaries to the role.
Most importantly, you genuinely believe in recovery and the mission of helping people build fulfilling lives beyond treatment.
Requirements
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Personal experience with recovery strongly preferred; minimum of 2 years of sustained recovery required when applicable to the candidate's role and experience
- Strong understanding of recovery-oriented systems of care
- Strong commitment to the mission of substance use disorder treatment and recovery
- Ability to engage individuals across different stages of recovery and readiness for change
- Strong relationship-building, communication, and facilitation skills
- Excellent organizational and follow-through skills
- Ability to coordinate multiple events, outreach efforts, and priorities simultaneously
- Comfortable facilitating groups and speaking in front of others
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic data-tracking systems
- Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Health, Social Work, Psychology, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
- 2–4 years of experience in one or more of the following:
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Behavioral health
- Recovery support services
- Peer support
- Alumni relations
- Case management
- Community outreach
- Knowledge of ASAM Criteria
- Familiarity with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2
- Experience using CRM, EMR, alumni-engagement, or patient-engagement systems
- Experience coordinating events or community programming
- Understanding of patient outcomes, quality initiatives, or value-based care
Work Conditions & Physical Requirements
Environment
- Primarily works within a behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment environment
- Regular interaction with current patients, alumni, families, staff, and community partners
- Some local travel and attendance at community or alumni events may be required
- Occasional evening or weekend activities may be necessary based on alumni programming
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods
- Ability to participate in and support facility and community events
- Ability to lift and carry supplies or materials associated with events, typically up to 25 pounds
- Ability to travel locally when needed
Cognitive & Emotional Requirements
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to maintain professionalism and appropriate boundaries with individuals experiencing behavioral health or recovery challenges
- Strong emotional intelligence and ability to respond calmly to sensitive situations
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
Compensation
Competitive compensation based on experience, education, and qualifications.
Benefits
The work we do truly changes lives, and we recognize the importance of supporting the people who make that impact possible.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- ICHRA Health Benefit – choose the health plan that best fits your individual needs, with eligible premium reimbursement
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- Employer-Paid Life Insurance, with optional supplemental coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Career Growth & Advancement Opportunities
- Supportive, Trauma-Informed Work Environment
- Modern Facilities & Updated Tools
- Accessible Leadership committed to your development and success
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you are passionate about recovery and believe connection after treatment can change the trajectory of someone's life, we encourage you to apply.
Join Thrive Now Recovery Centers in Iowa City and help us build an alumni community where people remain connected, supported, and empowered to continue moving forward in recovery.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Thrive Now Recovery Centers is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe diversity and inclusion strengthen our organization and improve the quality of care we provide.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
