Associate Vice-President (Alumni and Community Engagement)

Located in Canada’s most enterprising city, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and community engagement.

UCalgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities, with over 6,500 graduate students and 28,500 undergraduate students, over 1,800 academic staff, and over 3,200 non-academic staff in 14 faculties, across five campuses.  As one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, the UCalgary is home to 146 research chairs (75 Canada Research Chairs), and more than 50 research institutes and centres.  The recently completed Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High, was the third-largest fundraising campaign in Canadian history, raising $1.41 Billion to support student experience, knowledge creation, and innovations.  UCalgary has the fastest growth rate in attracting research funding among the 10 largest universities in Canada.

"Growth through focus," is a new strategy to ignite our entrepreneurial spirit to turn challenges into opportunities to improve the world around us. It will help to meet our Eyes High academic and research ambitions and strengthen our community engagement in one of Canada’s most diverse and fastest growing cities.  Built around three big ideas, the new strategic plan will distinguish our university and drive growth: transdisciplinary scholarship, integration with our community and future-focused program delivery that will see us expand a more flexible and customizable UCalgary education experience.

To learn more about this vision please see:  https://ucalgary.ca/president/congress

Reporting to the Vice-President (Advancement), the Associate Vice-President (Alumni and Community Engagement) is responsible for expanding the University of Calgary’s external connection with both its alumni community and other external stakeholders.  In this newly created role, the Associate Vice-President will inspire diverse partners as university ambassadors to create a sincere connection with the UCalgary community. This leader will guide a skilled team in visioning and delivering an integrated alumni and community engagement strategy that will increase positive and meaningful interactions between the University and its communities globally, nationally, provincially, and locally. The Associate Vice-President will oversee the execution of strategic University, alumni, community, partnership, and donor events to position the University effectively in maximizing its advancement goals. The role also acts as the secretariat for the University Senate and supports the Chancellor.

The ideal candidate is a visible community leader who possesses a graduate degree (a Masters degree is considered an asset) and a minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience with a background and education in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a relevant discipline.  Strong candidates will have high-level community engagement experience in a large, complex organization with a multi-faceted stakeholder environment, where external relationships are pivotal.  A strong understanding of a university context and effective comprehension of the complexities of the university environment will be beneficial for this impactful and critical position.  This results-oriented leader is dynamic, strategic, creative and entrepreneurial, and can leverage all the strengths of the University of Calgary.  As a relationship manager at the highest level, the Associate Vice-President (Alumni and Community Engagement) will lead the team that develops opportunities to maximize the University of Calgary’s impact as a global intellectual hub.   

Recently ranked the 5th most liveable city in the world (2019) by The Economist, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to raise a family (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh-WugziiiHwMT44-sVwrA).    Situated in the sunny foothills of Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with an unspoiled, resource-rich natural environment.

Consistently rated by the United Nations as the world’s best country to live in, Canada is the world’s second largest country by total area and is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education.

The University of Calgary has a comprehensive benefits and pension program that is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members.  To learn about our comprehensive benefits package for this Calgary-based, English speaking position, please visit http://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/academic_benefits_pension.

As an inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here.  In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply.  We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

To explore this opportunity further, please send your CV and Letter of Interest in confidence to uofcavp@jssearch.ca.