Manager, Alumni and Stewardship

Duties:

VIU's Advancement Team is poised and well-positioned to embark on new and exciting opportunities.

The Office of Advancement is responsible for the stewardship of 100,000 identified alumni and over 1,000 donors. Our team nurtures an authentic and meaningful connection between an exceptional VIU student experience and a life-long relationship by thanking our donors, and cultivating pride and building affinity for VIU. As a member of the Advancement leadership team, the Manager will focus on refining and driving a new Alumni Engagement Strategy and Donor Stewardship strategies aimed at building loyalty and lifelong engagement with VIU.

Under the direction of the Director, Alumni and Advancement, the Manager of Alumni and Stewardship is responsible and accountable for the success, design, implementation and management of a comprehensive alumni and donor relations program at Vancouver Island University. This key leadership role has a broad, challenging, and exciting portfolio. Leading the communications function of the Advancement Team for the University, the Manager oversees all alumni engagement, and stewardship, functions that support relationship-building and fund development initiatives at VIU. VIU is committed to providing authentic and meaningful stewardship of our donors and partners.

Promotes/supports donor stewardship activities and events to attract, retain and upgrade annual donors resulting in increased fundraising revenue and the development of a major gift donor pipeline.

Manages the University's alumni engagement platform including prioritizing and managing digital communications, ensuring the effective oversight of our social media channels and alumni app to maintain strong engagement and connectivity.

Provides alumni relations expertise and builds strong relationships with internal partners to expand alumni engagement. Identifies, cultivates, and stewards relationships with key alumni leaders, identifying volunteer opportunities that support engagement and strengthen faculty partnerships.

Identifies and manages relationships with business partners providing mutually beneficial services for alumni; creates methods and strategies for dialogue between VIU and its alumni; programs that contribute to alumni affinity and institutional reputation; thanks and recognizes VIU donors.

Evaluates and adjusts stewardship practices to appropriately thank donors for aligning with and promoting VIU's brand attributes.

Promotes alumni engagement programs through attendance and public speaking at alumni, university, and community events, including regional events.

Identifies and secures revenue generation opportunities to support the growth of the alumni engagement program.

Participates in professional organizations and keeps abreast of innovations in alumni and fundraising practices. Manages and carries out research on best practices, trends and methods, and recommends appropriate applications to the alumni relations function.

Required Qualifications:

Post-secondary degree with a focus on cultural anthropology, marketing, strategic communications, public or government relations, or journalism. Minimum 6 years experience in an advancement role focused on alumni relations, preferably in a university environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, inspire others, and achieve set program/strategic goals
• Experience in developing a communications strategy, ideally in a post-secondary setting
• Proven ability to champion, motivate and lead teams to achieve tangible goals and exceptional performance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a superior ability to engage diverse audiences
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to establish credibility internally and externally
• Goal-oriented, highly energetic with a positive and enthusiastic approach
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and to develop and sustain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, employers, volunteers, donors and community members
• Demonstrated effectiveness in developing thoughtful relationships with internal and external constituencies at all levels, especially donors, alumni, volunteer leaders and administrators
• Able to cope with ambiguity, set priorities, multi-task effectively, and earn the respect and trust of others
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to build consensus
• Experience and high comfort level working creatively with limited resources
• Working knowledge of fundraising practices and campaign experience in a large organization
• Demonstrated ability to think outside the box, inspire others, and achieve set program/strategic goals
• Knowledge and experience in design, development and implementation of digital communication strategies
• Strong technology competencies related to privacy protection, information organization, and digital communication etiquette and management
• Solid understanding and competence with fundraising and/or relationship management
• Software and standard office systems and applications
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends is required

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note:

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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