Director, Engagement Services

Job title: Director, Engagement Services

Job description: Are you a senior strategic leader with a track record of creativity and innovation in communications, marketing, donor relations and/or events? Do you know how to implement cross-functional initiatives to drive philanthropic support and lifelong alumni and donor relationships? If yes and yes, then you are a candidate for an exciting leadership role working in a re-imaged department of Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D).

The Alumni Affairs & Development team supports the University’s mission to improve life and has been charged with the ambitious goals of raising unprecedented annual philanthropic support and to be one of Canada’s most sought-after advancement organizations. As a senior leader in AA&D, the position exemplifies the department’s values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation, and forward focus.

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President (Advancement), you would advise the AVP on strategy, best practices and resource development and act on behalf of the team by serving as a senior representative on task forces and pan-University committees. You provide inspired leadership and strategic direction for the overall Engagement Services unit comprised of communications, marketing, digital engagement, events, donor relations, annual, major, principal and planned gift stewardship. You will collaborative with all units in the department to direct, implement and measure a strategic multi-media alumni and donor communications plan to promote lifelong relationships and philanthropic support among the university’s growing population of alumni and donors.

You develop and implement a robust stewardship strategy for donors of all sizes – annual, major, principal and planned (with a focus on $1 million+ donors). Through collaboration with all units, you will create a systematic annual giving stewardship program utilizing technology and AI to provide a personalized donor experience.

You are responsible for: strategic planning; staffing, multi-year budgeting and financial management to meet longer term commitments; and, operations, services, and activities. You have supervisory responsibilities for a talented team of both direct and indirect reports, work-study and co-op students.

• Requirements of the position include: A university degree and six to eight (6-8) years of related experience in senior leadership, and implementing strategy and plans for donor stewardship, events, and/or communications/marketing
• Experience in a university or comparable institution preferred
• Highly motivated and results-driven individual able to set high standards and ambitious goals
• Proven track record of being strategic, creative, and innovative in a high-pressure work environment
• Superior strategic planning, people management and administrative skills to lead a team with disperate functions, skill sets and requirements
• Ability to coach and develop team members as well as influencing colleagues and peers
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to work in a complex environment demonstrating tact, good judgement, diplomacy, self-awareness and adaptability
• Ability to deal effectively with diverse groups of people, including senior administration, colleagues, donors and alumni; ability to anticipate, identify and respond to needs and interests of varied audiences
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to compile and interpret data from a variety of sources, select appropriate methods of analysis, monitor emerging trends and issues, and disseminate information
• Ability to make difficult and complex decisions with good judgment and with acute sensitivity to the political environment and to the reputation of the university
• Significant experience in business management and development, including budget planning and analysis

(Covering) Position Number 394-075

Classification P09

At the University of Guelph, fostering a is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

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