Director, Alumni Engagement

Queen's University

About The Position

The Director, Alumni Engagement provides leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of alumni programs that strengthen relationships between Queen’s University and its alumni and create meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect with the university and one another. Reporting to the Executive Director, Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, the Director translates broader engagement strategy into an integrated programming approach responsive to the interests, needs, and experiences of Queen’s diverse alumni community across audiences, markets, and stages of the alumni lifecycle. The Director leads a comprehensive portfolio of alumni programs, including signature programs such as Homecoming and Summerhill Send-Off, and the university’s alumni affinity partnerships. The role uses alumni insights, research, demographic and lifestyle trends, regional considerations, and engagement data to identify audience needs, opportunities, and outcomes. It works in close collaboration with Annual Giving, Volunteer Programs, campaign leadership, Advancement colleagues, faculties, schools, and other university partners to connect alumni programming with institutional, philanthropic, campaign, and student-engagement priorities. The Director provides expertise and advice on alumni programming and audience needs to Advancement colleagues and university leaders, represents Queen’s to internal and external audiences, and builds relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and partner organizations. The position also develops programming standards and evaluation practices, monitors program effectiveness and trends, and leads a team of Advancement professionals, including responsibility for staff planning, development, performance, and employee relations. The position requires extensive travel within and outside Canada, as well as evening and weekend work according to program or area needs. A valid G-class driver’s licence and a passport without travel restrictions are required. A satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check is also required.

Requirements

University degree; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
At least seven years of progressive experience and a demonstrated record of success leading and managing alumni and volunteer engagement programming across channels and formats, preferably in a university setting.
Clear understanding of and strict adherence to ethical fundraising standards and supporting legislation.
Experience collaborating within institutional fundraising and campaign efforts to align alumni engagement with university and Advancement priorities, support philanthropic engagement, and create pathways for deeper alumni involvement.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic plans, project plans, budget and revenue forecasts, and program analysis, and meeting objectives.
Ability to define and communicate strategy and connect portfolio activities and planning to overarching goals.
Leadership, management, and relationship-building experience, including the ability to promote workplace inclusion and organize, motivate, and direct professional staff and volunteers and work effectively with senior leadership.
Valid G-class driver’s licence 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 university departments and portfolios.
Innovative and strategic thinking, with substantial experience providing focused leadership and advice to achieve organizational priorities.
Business insight, political and cultural awareness, and influencing skills, including the ability to situate fundraising objectives in a broader organizational context.
Persuasive communication and presentation skills, exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, and the ability to adapt content, tone, medium, and style to diverse audiences.
Strong analytical and research skills and the ability to use institutional information in an interdisciplinary way to improve and integrate alumni engagement initiatives.
Ability to research, develop, and write innovative engagement strategies, tools, and approaches, and to implement operational, process, and system improvements.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy, sound judgment, and sensitivity to the reputational and relationship implications of decisions and errors.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills, including the ability to coordinate simultaneous cross-functional initiatives and deliver quality solutions on time.
Ability to embrace change and translate objectives into strategic alumni engagement solutions.
Ability to travel extensively within and outside Canada and work evenings and weekends according to program or area needs.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop and implement alumni programming strategies, annual and multi-year plans, priorities, and measurable outcomes aligned with university and Advancement priorities.
Lead a portfolio of programs that strengthen alumni relationships, affinity, belonging, and ongoing involvement with Queen’s and with one another.
Develop, implement, and improve programming for diverse alumni audiences, formats, geographies, identities, experiences, and career and life stages, including the transition from student to alumnus.
Set program objectives, audience strategies, and approaches for signature programs, including Homecoming and Summerhill Send-Off.
Use alumni research, demographic and life-stage trends, regional considerations, and engagement data to identify audience needs, gaps, opportunities, and scalable programming approaches.
Develop opportunities that connect alumni with Queen’s academic mission, students, faculty, research, areas of excellence, and institutional priorities.
Lead the alumni affinity partnership portfolio, developing and managing partnerships, evaluating performance, and ensuring offerings remain relevant and aligned with university priorities and standards.
Build pan-institutional partnerships with faculties, schools, Student Affairs, Career Services, and other university partners to connect students and alumni and support lifelong engagement.
Work with Annual Giving, Volunteer Programs, and university partners to incorporate awareness of philanthropy and volunteerism into student programming and to build pathways for alumni involvement.
Partner with Volunteer Programs to align branch and volunteer-led activity with broader engagement goals, define desired outcomes and measures, and evolve branch-based engagement approaches.
Develop relationships across Advancement and the university; advise on alumni programming, audience needs, and engagement opportunities; and coordinate programming with faculties, schools, and units.
Partner with Development and Principal Giving where alumni programs can contribute to relationship development and philanthropic objectives.
Work with campaign leadership and the international campaign strategy function to develop alumni programming for priority international markets, aligned with broader university priorities and activity.
Coordinate with Advancement Communications & Experience on communications, marketing, digital engagement, and event strategies, ensuring plans are timely, within budget, and consistent with Queen’s brand and visual identity standards.
Represent Queen’s University and the Office of Advancement to internal and external audiences locally, nationally, and internationally; cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and community and professional organizations.
Gather and prepare communications, briefing notes, research profiles, funding proposals, gift agreements, stewardship reports, activity reports, and accountability reports.
Maintain knowledge of university teaching and research activities, funding priorities, and needs, and use it to create meaningful alumni engagement opportunities.
Measure and analyze initiatives, report insights and outcomes to leadership, conduct competitive audits, and monitor relevant environmental trends and practices.
Gather market data and develop, execute, and communicate plans for campaigns and events that support engagement and measurable behavioural outcomes.
Establish programming goals with partners, develop standards, processes, systems, and best practices for program development and evaluation, and create workflows for Alumni Engagement work.
Monitor developments in technology, current affairs, communications, marketing, and traditional and non-traditional platforms to keep alumni engagement relevant and effective.
Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team in an inclusive, collaborative work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Plan, prioritize, and manage staff work; provide strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching; and review progress against annual goals.
Identify staffing needs, participate in staffing committees, and make recommendations on employee selection.
Establish performance standards, evaluate performance, conduct performance and talent reviews, and address staff training and development needs.
Investigate, address, and resolve employee and labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters.
Act as a back-up for the Executive Director during their absence, providing leadership and representing Alumni Engagement within the university community.
Undertake other duties as assigned in support of the unit or department.