Director, Advancement Communications and Events

Queen's University

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, Advancement Communications and Experiences, the Director, Advancement Communications and Events provides leadership for Advancement’s communications and events functions. Working closely with the Associate Vice-Principal (Strategic Engagement) and the Executive Director, the Director operationalizes Advancement-wide strategies through integrated plans, compelling content, communications, and experiences that support Queen’s philanthropic, alumni engagement, campaign, and institutional priorities. The Director establishes priorities, standards, processes, and resource plans to ensure coordinated, high-quality delivery and meaningful engagement experiences for alumni, donors, prospective donors, volunteers, and other key audiences. In collaboration with teams across Advancement, faculties, schools, and other university partners, the Director ensures communications and events reflect audience needs, align with institutional priorities, and contribute to constituent engagement and philanthropic journeys. The role provides expert communications counsel, anticipates opportunities and risks, and helps ensure that communications and events uphold Queen’s standards, reputation, and commitment to excellence. The position requires occasional travel within and outside Canada and occasional evening and weekend work. The Director also leads and develops a high-performing team, manages communications and events resources and budgets, and represents the university and Office of Advancement with internal and external audiences.

Requirements

University degree; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
At least seven years of progressive experience with a demonstrated record of success in a multi-constituent environment, focused on strategic communications and events; university experience is preferred.
Experience collaborating to develop and implement integrated communications strategies aligning organizational priorities, audiences, messaging, and content across channels and initiatives.
Understanding of and strict adherence to ethical fundraising standards and applicable supporting legislation.
Track record in strategy development and implementation, project planning, budget and revenue forecasting, program analysis, and achieving objectives.
Ability to define and communicate strategy and connect portfolio activity and planning to overarching organizational goals.
Leadership, management, and relationship-building experience, including promoting workplace inclusion, organizing and motivating professional staff and colleagues, and working effectively with senior leadership.
Experience using communications platforms including print, web, social media, video, and other digital communications, and writing and editing to deadlines.
Valid G-Class driver’s license and passport with no travel restrictions.
Satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check.
Knowledge of the Canadian philanthropic and university environment, including challenges faced by both.
Ability to work across multiple university departments and portfolios.
Strategic and innovative thinking, with the experience to provide clear leadership and advice in support of organizational priorities.
Business insight, political and cultural awareness, and influencing skills to place communications and events objectives in a wider organizational context.
Excellent persuasive, creative, presentation, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to adapt content, tone, medium, and style to diverse audiences and abilities, assimilate information quickly and accurately, and communicate inclusively.
Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to consider institutional information across disciplines and improve and integrate communications and events initiatives.
Ability to research, develop, and write strategies, tools, and approaches that improve alumni and donor engagement, and to implement operational, process, and system improvements.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, with sound judgment and sensitivity to reputational and relationship implications.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills, including coordinating multiple simultaneous cross-functional initiatives and delivering quality work to deadlines.
Ability to embrace change and translate objectives into strategic alumni engagement solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a university setting.

Responsibilities

Develop and operationalize Advancement-wide communications and experience strategies, translating priorities into annual and multi-year plans, objectives, and measures of success.
Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated communications strategies supporting fundraising, campaigns, alumni and volunteer engagement, donor relationships, and institutional objectives.
Lead Advancement’s content strategy, including developing content priorities, standards, plans, stories, event briefs, and other materials for key audiences.
Lead the events function and oversee the planning and delivery of signature, complex, and institutionally significant Advancement events and experiences.
Establish approaches for communications and events intake, planning, prioritization, and resource allocation to support high-quality, timely execution.
Provide communications counsel to Advancement leaders and colleagues on sensitive, complex, and high-profile matters; anticipate and manage communications issues and reputational risks.
Coordinate with Advancement Marketing and Publications and Digital Engagement to adapt, distribute, amplify, and optimize content across channels.
Partner with Development, Campaign, Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, Donor Experience, faculties, schools, and other university partners to develop effective communications, editorial, and event approaches.
Establish and monitor measures of communications, content, publication, and event effectiveness, using audience insights, performance data, feedback, and emerging practices to improve work and guide resource decisions.
Plan and manage Communications and Events budgets and resources, and oversee vendor and external partner relationships.
Gather information and coordinate and prepare internal and external communications, briefing notes, research profiles, activity reports, and accountability reports.
Maintain an in-depth understanding of university teaching, research, activities, priorities, and needs to inform communications and event strategies.
Analyze initiatives, conduct competitive audits, monitor the environment, and provide leadership with insights into progress, outcomes, trends, and opportunities.
Gather and use market data to develop communications and event approaches that support engagement and measurable behavioural outcomes.
Develop standards, processes, systems, best practices, and workflows for programming development, execution, evaluation, and tracking.
Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team, fostering an inclusive, collaborative work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Plan, prioritize, and manage employee work, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching.
Identify staffing needs, participate in staffing committees, and make recommendations on employee selection.
Set performance standards, evaluate performance, and conduct ongoing formal performance and talent reviews.
Assess staff training and development needs and ensure employees receive appropriate training.
Investigate, address, and resolve employee and labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters.
Represent Queen’s University and the Office of Advancement on committees and with internal and external audiences, and support understanding and adoption of Advancement policies and procedures.
Act as a backup for the Executive Director, providing leadership and representing Communications & Events within the university community.
Undertake other duties as assigned in support of the unit or department.