Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations, Smith School of Business
Queen’s University - Smith School of Business
Salary: $135,000 - $170,000
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Associate Vice-Principal (Development), with joint accountability to the Dean, the Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations, will provide leadership to Advancement activities for Smith School of Business. This will include providing strategic, tactical, and high-level expertise, direction, and facilitation in the development, implementation, and oversight of fundraising strategies designed to maximize long-term financial support for Smith’s fundraising objectives and priorities, alongside the strategic and tactical execution of an alumni-relations program that supports increased alumni engagement.
In partnership with the university-wide Advancement team, senior university administrators, senior volunteers, and Smith School of Business staff, the Executive Director will lead advancement activities by facilitating strategies, monitoring and coordinating initiatives, and ensuring that next steps are completed in a timely manner with the goal of maximizing lifetime engagement and philanthropic support for the university.
The Executive Director will manage a diverse and sophisticated portfolio of major and principal-gift level donors, estates, corporations, and foundations. The incumbent will be a recognized leader in the field of fundraising and will serve as a key adviser to the Dean of Smith School of Business, the Associate Vice- Principal (AVP) (Development), Vice-Principal (Advancement), senior university administrators, the Development Leadership Team, volunteers, and the university more broadly.
Location: We envision that this position will be based full-time in Goodes Hall, 143 Union St., Kingston, Ontario. As well, in order to meet with donors, alumni, and volunteers, this position requires travel within and outside of Canada. Work on evenings and weekends is occasionally required.
Compensation: This is a full-time, permanent position. Queen’s offers a progressive compensation and benefits package including extended health, pension, and paid vacation. Queen’s and Smith both strive to provide career enrichment, as well as staff learning and development opportunities. Contingent on demonstrated experience, qualifications, and competencies, the salary range for this role is $135,000 to a maximum of $170,000.
ABOUT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY
Widely recognized as one of Canada’s leading universities, Queen’s University has an international reputation for scholarship, research, social purpose, and spirit. Founded in 1841 and located in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s is committed to using its talents and resources to rise to the challenges facing our local, national, and global communities.
Queen’s student body consists of approximately 24,000 undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional students, drawn from more than 100 countries and every Canadian province and territory. International students make up 10 per cent of the full-time student population, and 95 per cent of the student population comes from outside of Kingston. Our alumni body of 150,000+ stretches around the globe.
Queen’s attracts extraordinary students. The average entrance grade of incoming undergraduate students was 89.5 per cent in 2019, ranking first in the annual Maclean’s University Rankings. When compared with 500 other institutions as part of the Collegiate Learning Assessment, first-year Queen’s students rank in the 90th percentile for critical thinking, problem solving, written communication, and lifelong learning skills. By fourth-year, our students are in the 98th percentile, underscoring Queen’s transformative learning experience. Queen’s ranked fifth among medical- doctoral universities according to Maclean’s, and third for student satisfaction.
Queen’s offers a full spectrum of undergraduate and graduate research-based programs, with a concentration of expertise in physics, chemistry, cancer research, geosciences, environment and biodiversity, social determinants of health, surveillance studies, and art history and art conservation.
Queen’s is a member of the U15, Canadian research-intensive universities. Research plays a critical role in the University’s ability to contribute knowledge and ideas to Canada and to the world.
In 2017, Queen’s launched a five-year faculty renewal plan to further research and academic excellence. The university is currently in the process of hiring 200 new faculty members to bolster the vibrancy of our teaching and learning. Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre is actively building a global hub for innovation and an innovation eco-system for Eastern Ontario.
The campus also has a fully integrated network of six libraries and is home to several outstanding museums and arts facilities, including the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, which recently received a $54-million donation to help fund a major expansion, and the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.
Queen’s is home to a STEM-field Nobel Prize winner, 46 Canada Research Chair holders, a Canada Excellence Research Chair, a Canada 150 Research Chair, a Canada First Research Excellence Fund award, and is second in Canada in faculty awards. Queen’s is also the recent recipient of three Canada Foundation for Innovation grants under the Major Science Initiatives fund and two Networks of Centres of Excellence grants, all of which recognize the awarded research centres and scholars as national and international leaders in their respective research fields.
ABOUT SMITH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
This is business now. Business happens beyond boardrooms, markets, and borders. Cultural shifts, geopolitical changes, technology innovations – it all impacts business. Smith anticipates the rapidly changing business landscape and prepares our students to thrive in it.
Smith School of Business is renowned for its excellence, innovation, and leadership in business education and research. From establishing the first undergraduate business degree in Canada over a century ago to creating ground-breaking programs and courses in areas including artificial intelligence, fintech, analytics, cultural diversity, team dynamics, and social impact, Smith School of Business is at the forefront of preparing students for the business marketplace.
Goodes Hall is the home of Smith School of Business on the Queen’s University campus in Kingston. In addition, the School delivers programs and classes at SmithToronto, a modern learning and events facility in the Toronto business district, and operates Boardroom Learning Centres across Canada. Smith also delivers a Master of Finance program in Beijing, China.
With more than 3,800 undergraduate, graduate diploma and postgraduate students every year, and more than 3,500 participants annually in executive education programs, Smith delivers an outstanding learning experience. Small class sizes, personal attention, individual and team coaching, opportunities for specialization, and a deep commitment to student success characterize the SmithEdge.
Smith attracts top students from across Canada and around the world. Globally, the school has international exchange partnerships with more than 130 respected business schools in 40 countries and welcomes more than 500 international exchange students annually. Every year more than 700 Smith students travel to international destinations to participate in an international exchange or for learning or global business projects.
The 100+ faculty at Smith School of Business advance business management and society through exceptional research. Research success is the result of the commitment and knowledge of faculty, students, and staff, and of the collaborations and partnerships that extend impact. Smith expertise is shared through the Smith Business Insight platform of content and events.
Our more than 28,000 alumni in more than 26 countries are provided with many resources and services, including SmithConnect, an exclusive online student and alumni directory and engagement platform, as well as business clubs, networking events, reunion planning, continuous learning opportunities, career services and special offers on a variety of services. As well, alumni are encouraged to give back to their alma mater by sharing their time, knowledge or financial support, to help “pay it forward” to the next generation of business students.
Led by volunteer alumni executives, the growing network of Smith Alumni Chapters presents a variety of events and activities for Smith alumni around the world. Events focus primarily on professional development and networking opportunities, and often feature top-notch speakers and panelists from the ranks of our own alumni.
ADVANCEMENT @ QUEEN’S
Philanthropy, in the form of volunteerism and donations, has been an essential ingredient in Queen’s success over its 182-year history.
Led by the Vice-Principal (Advancement) and in partnership with the university’s senior leadership, the Office of Advancement leads and coordinates the alumni brand, including alumni relations, marketing and communications, fundraising, and stewardship to build life-long relationships with alumni, volunteers and friends of Queen’s to advance the strategic vision and academic mission of the university.
The Office of Advancement’s mission is to foster relationships that advance Queen’s and contribute to a better world. Our core organizational values, chosen by Advancement staff in 2020, are: Accountability, Collaboration, Customer Service Orientation, Inclusion, and Integrity.
Advancement uses a centralized/decentralized model comprised of approximately 140 positions across The Office of Advancement and within faculties. The Office of Advancement provides systems and supports for all advancement activities, strategies, and fundraising for university-wide priorities and assistance for faculty/school/department priorities.
ADVANCEMENT STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
With Advancement’s assistance, the university has made significant progress in the priority areas of its Strategic Framework: Student Learning Experience; Research Prominence; Financial Sustainability; Internationalization.
In May 2020, the Office of Advancement launched a new strategic plan, Forward, Together, that will direct our path for the next five years. Building on strengths that have been honed during the 10-year Initiative Campaign (2006-2016), we will focus on six strategic directions:
Shape the future of the university
Develop a high-performing Advancement culture
Grow key programs: Alumni programming and annual giving
Grow key programs: Major, principal and planned gift fundraising
Grow key programs: Communications
Develop leadership capacities for Advancement
Queen’s last capital campaign concluded in April 2016. The Initiative Campaign raised more than $640 million, surpassing the $500-million goal set at the beginning of the campaign. This resulted from the support of more than 60,000 donors – 35,000 of whom were alumni – for the advancement of the university’s top priorities. This includes one of the University’s largest gifts to date, a $50 million gift from Stephen Smith in support of the then-unnamed business school.
Queen’s students, researchers and community continue to benefit from the generous support of donors. On average, Queen’s has raised approximately $67 million in philanthropic support over the last five years, over $6 million of which has been raised in support of initiatives and programs at Smith School of Business. With a fundraising priority setting process now underway, Smith and Queen’s have aspirations to continue to sustainably grow fundraising revenue long term.
In 2023 Smith will launch a new five-year strategy aligned to Queen’s strategy and with the core purpose of being: a safe and inclusive learning community for leaders to create, debate, and implement impactful ideas that propel business and society forward.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND & RESOURCES
· Smith School of Business – Year in Review
· 2021-2022 Financial Statement
· Office of Indigenous Initiatives
· Office of Advancement website
· Advancement strategic priorities
· Office of Advancement Values
· Weekly Advancement eNew– ALTogether Now
· Human Rights and Equity Office
· Queen’s Administration and Governance
· Queen’s University Alumni Association
· Queen’s Student Alumni Association
· Queen’s Economic and Community Impact
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations role focuses on the following key activities:
Strategic Leadership
Leads a comprehensive fundraising and alumni-relations program for Smith School of Business designed to obtain maximum long-term financial support for the School from a wide range of potential donors.
Works closely with the Dean of Smith School of Business to establish strategic plans for increasing philanthropic revenue within the School. Provides expert guidance to all levels of university administrators involved in the various activities associated with the Office of Advancement, including providing high level commentary on priorities and call briefings.
Serves as a trusted adviser, and university-wide resource and liaison to donors, the Dean and senior administrators in Smith School of Business, the Office of Advancement, senior university officials, volunteers, allied professionals, executors, and others, to coordinate strategies and help secure major, principal, and planned gift commitments, as well as alumni engagement.
Works with the Dean of Smith School of Business and the AVP to plan and execute annual and long- term strategic and integrated fundraising and alumni relations plans based on reliable internal and external data analysis.
Serves as a member of the Development Leadership Team and as a member of the senior leadership team at Smith School of Business.
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
Develops and maintains an in-depth knowledge of Smith School of Business and the university’s activities, funding priorities and needs. Applies this knowledge in matching the interests and needs of prospective donors with the strategic needs of the university.
Fosters and reinforces a non-territorial, sophisticated approach to donor-centric philanthropy that encourages collaboration, flexibility, and Stays abreast of philanthropic developments, giving vehicles, and/or relevant legislation that may assist in maximizing revenue.
Formulates comprehensive and mini fundraising campaigns, fundraising projects and programs for the university including the development of campaign strategies, targets, metrics, and Translates broad goals into achievable steps.
Oversees the planning and execution of campaign launches relevant to the portfolio.
Manages prospect lists of Major and Principal Gift donors with particular focus on those at the $1M+.
Develops strategies, identifies, evaluates, cultivates, solicits and stewards net-worth prospects and major gift donors.
Personally manages a portfolio of prospective and major-gift donors.
Motivates and organizes a broad range of influential volunteers and university senior administrators who will assist in securing philanthropic commitments.
Oversees the production of tailored major-gift proposals and case statements relevant to the portfolio.
Team Leadership
Promotes a culture of inclusion that embodies Queen’s, Smith School of Business, and Advancement values, with a commitment to the university’s equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives designed to foster an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming work environment for individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities.
Manages Smith School of Business advancement staff, meeting with them on a regular basis to review progress against annual goals and engagement/pipeline strategy development. In consideration of progress to date, takes a lead role in identifying and implementing further opportunities and strategies that may have arisen to ensure goals will be met.
Plans, prioritizes, and manages the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance on an ongoing basis, and conducting annual talent reviews and formal performance reviews.
Assesses staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
Investigates, addresses and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including making decisions regarding disciplinary and discharge matters.
Works closely with human resources and leadership in Smith School of Business to ensure alignment with internal School HR practices, policies and initiatives.
Program and Operational Leadership
Works closely across all administrative portfolios within Smith School of Business to ensure alignment, co-ordination, and collaboration within the school.
Works with Advancement colleagues on internal and external communications, briefing notes, research profiles, funding proposals, gift agreements, stewardship reports, and accountability reports. Ensures all necessary constituents are involved in key efforts focused on specific prospects.
Collaborates with Donor Relations to establish timely and appropriate stewardship plans, ensuring gifts are handled and recognized according to sound Advancement practices.
Works closely with the Marketing and Communications team within Smith School of Business, and within Advancement to ensure fundraising and alumni initiatives align with the institution’s and School’s general planning and communication strategies and internal brand standards.
Represents the university and the Office of Advancement to internal and external audiences, ensuring understanding and adoption of University Advancement policies and procedures.
Develops measurements for timely evaluation of program performance and forecasting.
Analyzes data, tracks activity and prepares reports required to formulate, execute, evaluate and benchmark strategic and priority driven implementation plans.
Reports findings to the School’s committees as well as the AVP (Development) and implements changes in strategy as required.
Ensures all contact reports are recorded in a timely fashion on the Advance database.
Develops measurements for timely evaluation of program performance and forecasting.
Manages the operating budget for the advancement portfolio in Smith School of Business
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
Strategic Leadership
Proven success developing and implementing strategic plans and meeting objectives.
Strategic planning, budgeting, and financial management skills to oversee and forecast assigned budget portfolio and assess budget implications of strategic initiatives.
Ability to think and act strategically, creatively and dynamically in a high-pressure work environment.
Comprehensive understanding of the administrative, academic, and governance structures of the university environment and the challenges faced by post-secondary institutions.
Ability to make difficult and complex decisions with good judgment and with acute sensitivity to the political environment and reputation of Smith School of Business, Office of Advancement, and the university.
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience engaging with donors and managing fundraising programs with a focus on principal, major, and planned giving, preferably in a university setting.
Demonstrated ability to inspire and raise donor sights, articulate aspirational goals, and institutional priorities, and effectively present philanthropic opportunities to prospects and donors.
Outstanding prospect management and tracking skills including proven success identifying, evaluating, cultivating, solicitating, and stewarding donors at the major- and principal-gift levels. Strong record of involvement in soliciting seven-figure gifts.
Experience working on institutional fundraising campaigns preferred, including directing and/or managing a portfolio of campaign prospects with a view toward satisfying the priorities identified by the university.
Adept at interpreting the interests of donors and matching them to the strategic needs of the university.
Highly motivated and results-driven individual able to set high standards and goals.
Motivated by the opportunity to communicate the impact of a transformational gift.
Proven success in working with volunteers to achieve shared goals.
Holding or working towards the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation or equivalent would be considered an asset.
Team Leadership
Stand behind/live Advancement’s core values of integrity, inclusivity, accountability, collaboration, and service.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where there is mutual respect and collaboration across all teams.
Proven leadership and human-resources management skills including recruiting, organizing, directing, motivating, and retaining staff and volunteers.
Program and Operational Leadership
Ability to conceptualize creative plans and technical solutions for dealing with an array of administrative and financial matters facing Smith School of Business, University-Wide Advancement and fundraising activities.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to compile and interpret data from a variety of sources, select appropriate methods of analysis, monitor emerging trends and issues in the sector, and disseminate information.
Comprehensive understanding of how charitable and tax legislation affects complex principle, planned, and major gifts.
Ability to adapt to changing new technology and trends, assess innovation for institutional benefit and impact.
Collaboration with Colleagues
Strong customer-service orientation with a demonstrated passion for the university and its people.
Recognized leader at building and managing long-term and productive relationships with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and senior university administrators.
Ability to identify optimal approaches to secure co-operation from campus partners – senior administrators, faculties, schools, departments – in support of stakeholder engagement and fundraising strategies.
Communication
Persuasive and creative communication, presentation, diplomacy, and negotiations skills that allow success both within the campus environment and in the field.
Ability to convey technical, tax, and legal material related to charitable giving in both oral and written form effectively, concisely, and in a broadly accessible manner.
Education & Other
Four-year bachelor’s degree,
Consideration will be given to the equivalent combination of education and experience.
The ability to travel for business purposes both locally and internationally without restriction.
Satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters checks are required.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Queen’s University and Smith School of Business. For more information, please contact Tara George, Partner – KCI Search + Talent, at Smith@kcitalent.com. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.
Please note the deadline for submission is Sunday, May 28, 2023. Please note: Candidates should send a résumé and letter of interest to Smith@kcitalent.com AND candidates must also submit their materials via the Queen’s University CareerQ employment portal.
To view full executive brief, please visit: www.kcitalent.com
Smith School of Business and the Office of Advancement at Queen’s are committed to embodying the principles of Indigenization – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and Accessibility (I-EDIAA). As an employer, we value equitable opportunities and are working to nurture a culture of inclusion and belonging for all. Additionally, we encourage candidates from equity-deserving groups and those with lived experience of marginalization and oppression (including Indigenous, Black and People of Colour, Women, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Persons with disabilities) to apply. For more information, visit our Human Rights and Equity Office Website: http://www.queensu.ca/hreo.
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Smith School of Business and the Office of Advancement at Queen’s seek to provide an inclusive and barrier- free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process, and provide accommodation as needed for applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation throughout any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Tara George with any inquiries or for assistance.