Director, Alumni Engagement

Director, Alumni Engagement

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, the Director, Alumni Engagement provides leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of alumni programs that strengthen alumni relationships with Queen’s and create meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect with the university and one another.

An experienced alumni engagement professional, the Director translates broader alumni engagement strategy and priorities into an integrated alumni programming approach responsive to the interests, needs, and experiences of Queen’s diverse alumni community. Using alumni insights, demographic and lifestyle trends, regional considerations, and engagement data, the Director develops relevant and compelling programming across audiences, key markets, and stages of the alumni lifecycle beginning from the transition from student to alumnus and continuing through subsequent life and career stages.

The Director of Alumni Engagement works collaboratively with Annual Giving and Volunteer Programs to create complementary pathways for alumni involvement including branch engagement. The Director also works collaboratively with university partners to connect alumni programming with broader engagement, philanthropic, campaign, and institutional priorities. The Director provides expertise and advice on alumni programming and audience needs to advancement colleagues, senior university administrators, faculties, schools, and campus partners. The incumbent ensures an inclusive lens, that reflects a commitment to I-EDIAA, in providing expertise and direction in the development and implementation of alumni engagement strategy and execution for mutual benefit.

This position requires extensive travel within and outside Canada and requires the incumbent to travel and work evenings and weekends according to program or area needs.

Job Description
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develops and implements the alumni programming strategy, translating broader Alumni Engagement priorities into annual and multi-year program plans, priorities and measurable outcomes that aligns with university-wide strategic plans and the Office of Advancement’s mission that serves to demonstrate the impact Queen’s has on the world and to enhance its image/reputation among key audiences.
• Leads a comprehensive portfolio of programs designed to strengthen alumni relationships, foster affinity and belonging, and create meaningful opportunities for continued involvement with the university and one another.
• Develops, implements, and continuously improves alumni programs across a range of audiences, formats and geographies, responsive to the diversity of Queen’s alumni community and to alumni interests, identities, experiences, career and life stages, including the transition from student to alumnus.
• Provides leadership for the program objectives, audience strategy, and overall approach for signature alumni programs, including Homecoming and Summerhill Send-Off. Uses alumni research, demographic and life-stage trends, regional considerations, and engagement data to identify changing audience needs, gaps, and opportunities; develops innovative, scalable, and repeatable programming approaches; and creates opportunities to connect alumni with Queen’s academic mission, students, faculty, research, areas of excellence, and institutional priorities.
• Provides leadership for Queen’s alumni affinity partnership portfolio, identifying, developing, and managing partnerships that deliver meaningful value to alumni and support broader alumni engagement and Advancement objectives. Evaluates partnership performance and opportunities for growth and ensures affinity offerings remain relevant to alumni needs and aligned with university priorities and standards.
• Builds effective pan-institutional partnerships with faculties, schools, Student Affairs, Career Services, and other university partners to create opportunities that connect students and alumni and strengthen lifelong engagement with Queen’s.
• Works with Annual Giving, Volunteer Programs, and university partners to integrate opportunities within student programming that build awareness and understanding of philanthropy and volunteerism and their role in the Queen’s community, establishing a foundation for continued engagement as students transition to alumni life.
• Works collaboratively with Annual Giving and Volunteer Programs to create complementary pathways for alumni involvement and identify opportunities for alumni programming to connect individuals with appropriate philanthropic and volunteer opportunities throughout their relationship with Queen’s. Partners with Volunteer Programs to ensure branch and volunteer-led activity contributes to broader alumni engagement and programming objectives, providing leadership and expertise in defining desired engagement outcomes, programming approaches, and measures of effectiveness. Leads or contributes to the evaluation and evolution of branch-based alumni engagement approaches, in partnership with Volunteer Programs, to ensure they respond to alumni needs and support broader Alumni Engagement priorities.
• Develops strong relationships across Advancement and the university and provides expertise and advice on alumni programming, audience needs, and engagement opportunities. Collaborates with faculties, schools, and units to develop coordinated programming and partners with Development and Principal Giving where alumni programs can appropriately contribute to relationship development and philanthropic objectives.
• Partners with Campaign leadership and the international campaign strategy function to identify opportunities for alumni programming to contribute to campaign activity in priority international markets and leads the development and delivery of the alumni programming response to those opportunities. Works with relevant Advancement and university partners to ensure international alumni programming is appropriately informed by broader institutional priorities and activity.
• Works closely with Advancement Communications & Experience to ensure communications, marketing, digital engagement, and event strategies and approaches effectively support alumni programming and audience needs, and that associated plans and initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with Queen’s brand and visual identity standards. Provides alumni programming and audience expertise to help shape compelling, coordinated experiences for alumni participating in Queen’s programs and activities.
• Acts as an ambassador of Queen’s University representing the university and the Office of Advancement to internal and external audiences on a local, national, and international level. Builds, cultivates, and maintains relationships with prominent alumni, donors, volunteers, community, and professional organizations with a focus on fostering strong connections between constituents and the university, and reinforcing how these individuals and groups can play a role in building the reputation and strength of Queen’s University.
• Gathers information, coordinates, and prepares internal and external communications, briefing notes, research profiles, funding proposals, gift agreements, stewardship reports, activity reports, and accountability reports.
• Develops and maintains an in-depth knowledge of the university’s activities, funding priorities and needs in both teaching and research. Applies this knowledge to identify and develop meaningful opportunities for alumni engagement that align alumni interests and needs with the strategic needs of the university.
• Measures and analyzes initiatives to assess effectiveness, inform future direction, and provide leadership with clear insights into progress and outcomes. Conducts periodic competitive audits and performs ongoing environmental monitoring to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and practices relevant to alumni engagement.
• Gathers and leverages market data to inform alumni engagement approaches and strategies; develops, executes, and communicates plans for campaigns and events that support engagement and measurable behavioural outcomes. Works with partners to establish and measure programming goals informed by best practices and emerging trends. Stays abreast of new and emerging technology, current affairs, as well as communications and marketing trends in both traditional and non-traditional platforms to ensure Alumni Engagement remains relevant and effective. Develops standards, processes, systems, and best practices for programming development, execution, and evaluation/tracking, and establishes workflows for Alumni Engagement work.
• Builds, develops, and leads an outstanding high-performing team of Advancement professionals, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and engaging work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Plans, prioritizes, and manages the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching. Meets with staff on a regular basis to review progress against annual goals.
• Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing, and evaluating performance, and conducting formal performance reviews and talent reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assesses staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigates, addresses, and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters.
• Acts as a back-up during the Executive Director’s absence, providing leadership and representing Alumni Engagement within the university community.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned in support of the unit and/or department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree.
• Minimum seven years of progressive experience and demonstrated track record of success leading and managing alumni and volunteer engagement programming across a range of channels and formats (e.g., events, communications), preferably in a university setting.
• Clear understanding of and strict adherence to ethical fundraising standards and supporting legislation.
• Experience working collaboratively within institutional fundraising and campaign efforts to align alumni engagement activities with university and Advancement priorities, identify opportunities to support philanthropic engagement, and develop pathways that connect alumni with meaningful opportunities for deeper involvement with Queen’s.
• Proven track record in successfully developing and implementing strategic plans, project planning, budget and revenue forecasting, program analysis, and meeting objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to define and communicate strategy and tie portfolio activity and planning back to overarching goals and the “big picture”.
• Proven leadership, management, and relationship building experience, with a demonstrated ability to promote inclusion in the workplace and effectively organize, motivate, and direct professional staff and volunteers to achieve objectives; and work effectively with senior leadership.
• A valid “G” class driver’s license and passport with no travel restrictions is required.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check required.
• Knowledge of the Canadian philanthropic and university environment, including the challenges faced by both.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Stand behind/live Advancement’s core values of Integrity, inclusivity, accountability, collaboration, and service.
• Ability to effectively work across multiple departments and portfolios within the university.
• An innovative and strategic thinker able to draw on substantial experience to provide clear, focused leadership and advice to achieve organizational priorities.
• Excellent business insight, political and cultural awareness, and influencing skills, with the ability to strategically place fundraising objectives in a larger organizational context.
• Persuasive and creative communication and presentation skills that allow success both within the campus environment and in the field. Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communications skills.
• Recognize diversity of abilities and adapt content, tone, medium, and style to audience to be inclusive.
• Strong analytical, research skills, and the ability to think about institutional information in an interdisciplinary way to improve and integrate alumni engagement initiatives to target audiences.
• Ability to research, develop, and write innovative strategies, tools, and approaches that enhance alumni engagement effectiveness. Proven ability to identify and implement operational, process, and system improvements that strengthen program performance and service delivery.
• Strict attention to detail and exceptional accuracy. Proven ability to make difficult and complex decisions with good judgment and with acute sensitivity for the implications of errors for the University and the Office of Advancement with respect to reputation and relationship building.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, and project management skills. Ability to initiate and coordinate multiple, simultaneous cross-functional initiatives, while consistently delivering high-quality actionable solutions according to required timelines.
• Ability to embrace change to effectively translate objectives into strategic alumni engagement solutions.

DECISION MAKING:

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, determines content of annual and long-term plans and strategies that reflect sound fundraising and alumni engagement principles and effectively communicate Queen’s value proposition to alumni to inspire deeper engagement and philanthropy. Oversees implementation and monitors progress against established targets, ensuring opportunities to generate philanthropic revenue for the university are maximized.
• Assesses issues/priorities and provides expert guidance to senior administrators and other staff on strategic planning and operational issues.
• Determines how to protect, harmonize, and enhance the Office of Advancement and university’s reputation and image in all alumni engagement activities.
• Identifies the best way to win cooperation from campus partners in support of engagement strategies.
• Recognizes opportunities to collaborate with constituents and engage alumni and volunteers across different formats and platforms, to encourage a consistent approach to alumni engagement across Advancement.
• Determines optimal strategic use of university leadership, including the Chancellor, Principal, Vice-Principal (Advancement), and/or top university volunteers, to build and maintain engagement among constituents.
• Collaborates with Advancement staff to establish programming priorities for the team. Makes decisions regarding allocation of resources against programming needs using integrated plans to guide decisions.
• Determines necessary strategies to measure and benchmark the effectiveness of alumni engagement efforts.
• Determines appropriate communications methods, tone, and content of information that makes it accessible and understandable to the intended audience.
• Recognizes when to involve Advancement staff, leadership, and/or senior administration in new initiatives or on issues that require decisions, or to make decisions and take independent action.
• Makes budget and staffing decisions related to Alumni Engagement.
• Monitors and evaluates progress and impact on assigned work of unit staff, assists in problem-solving, and determines necessary adjustments to maximize effectiveness and timely completion of tasks.
• Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Decides and/or makes effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assesses investigation outcomes of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at View email address on clients.njoyn.com .