Associate Director, Alumni Engagement

The Associate Director, Alumni for the DeGroote School of Business (DSB) at McMaster University is a vital new leadership role created to significantly enhance alumni engagement and connection. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Advancement, the Associate Director will strategically lead and execute programs designed to foster meaningful, lasting relationships with DeGroote alumni, contributing directly to the School’s ambitious advancement and campaign goals.

The successful candidate will be a passionate alumni relations professional with demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating sophisticated alumni engagement strategies. The role requires an innovative leader capable of initiating high-quality, personalized alumni programming that reflects the unique spirit and reputation of the DeGroote School of Business, while simultaneously increasing alumni participation in the School’s philanthropic and volunteer initiatives.

As a key member of the Advancement leadership team, the Associate Director will collaborate closely with Development, Communications, and Advancement Services colleagues, as well as with academic leadership, to align alumni engagement efforts with broader university strategies. The role includes managing high-level volunteer engagement, event oversight, mentorship programs, and digital engagement initiatives to build alumni networks locally, nationally, and internationally.

Critical to this role is a strategic mindset, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, creativity, and the ability to inspire both alumni and internal stakeholders. The Associate Director will also uphold McMaster University’s commitment to inclusive excellence, demonstrating cultural competence and actively fostering a diverse, respectful, and collaborative alumni community.

This position is ideally suited to a dynamic professional who thrives in relationship-driven environments, possesses a deep appreciation for alumni engagement as a cornerstone of institutional advancement, and is eager to make a significant contribution to DeGroote’s vision of developing leaders who advance human and societal health and wellbeing.

Occasional evening, weekend work, and some travel will be required to fully realize alumni engagement objectives.

Strategic Planning and Program Development
• Work in conjunction with the university and/or faculty/unit leadership, to establish and coordinate the annual and long-term goals and objectives of the Alumni Engagement Program within the Faculty.
• In partnership with University Advancement’s Alumni Engagement team, establish strategic targets, define goals, and formulate plans to evaluate and activate alumni relationships to build a robust alumni engagement program within the Faculty and/unit.
• Benchmarks against industry-leading programs and continually evaluates, refines and develops the portfolio’s programming and service based on cost, return on investment, effectiveness and outcomes.

Building a Robust Alumni Engagement Program
• In partnership with the faculty/unit leadership and senior leaders build and cultivate strong relationships with alumni through communications, programming, events, volunteer opportunities, targeted visits and related outreach.
• Develop and execute a wide range of engaging alumni programs, activities and events and continuous learning opportunities to keep alumni connected and informed, thereby providing a positive post-graduate experience that in turn will foster connections, strengthen loyalty and strategically expand our alumni engagement opportunities in various forms.
• Leverage current and explore innovative channels for expanding outreach, including ongoing initiatives to foster meaningful connections and interactions with the alumni audience.
• Maintain current alumni networks and tailor targeted engagement strategies for various alumni segments, to develop new networks/events or other programs to strengthen and grow the program.
• Act as a key collaborator with development programs (annual giving, major gifts and planned giving) related to engaging alumni to philanthropically support the university, faculty or unit. .
• Prepare compelling, concise and accurate communications, digital materials and digital channels i.e. email updates, event invitations, tailored emails, etc.
• Represent the University, McMaster Alumni Association, Faculty or Unit in various public-speaking environments.

Team Leadership
• Model a culture of collaboration, integration and service to support the University’s core research and academic missions.
• Employ a leadership approach that demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and indigeneity, and encourages inclusive behaviour and practice.
• Promotes innovation in alumni engagement. Builds, maintains and supports networks for staff or stakeholders to share ideas.
• Work with alumni ambassadors and alumni volunteer committees, leading the recruitment, orientation, engagement and recognition of a network of active alumni through volunteer work in various capacities.
• Supervise an Alumni Engagement Officer(s), providing appropriate direction and development and managing all associated human resources activities such as performance reviews, training, etc.
• Manage senior volunteers including committees, advisory committees and one time volunteer opportunities.
• Be a collegial and collaborative colleague, offering leadership and support to colleagues across University Advancement, faculties and units.

Administration
• Ensure compliance with relevant McMaster University policies and procedures for fundraising and revenue generation.
• Responsible for the preparation of the Alumni Engagement budget within the area of responsibility and accountable to ensure resources are allocated and prioritized to meet the programs objectives and short and long-term outcomes.
• Foster and maintain relationships within and across the University and external partners of the McMaster Alumni Association, where appropriate.
• Develop increasing levels of knowledge about specific industry trends, and expectations of core clients to improve market presence by conducting ongoing research.
• Implement and refine policies and procedures to ensure participants and key stakeholders enjoy a positive experience.
• Ensure that personal and teams’ alumni engagement activity and volunteer activity is reported and updated on the relational donor database
•  Lead, from time to time, University Advancement projects such as project teams and work teams.

Education:
▪ University undergraduate. McMaster degree is preferred.

Experience:
▪ Minimum of 6-years and experience working with senior leaders.

Knowledge/Skills:
▪ Understanding of alumni engagement in an academic environment.
▪ Working knowledge of university operations.
▪ Strong initiative and self-motivation.
▪ A proven commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity, with the ability to apply this lens to fundraising leadership, strategy and tactics.
▪ Vision, and the ability to think strategically with a creative and entrepreneurial mindset.
▪ Exceptional strategic, analytical, judgement, decision-making, project management and organizational skills.
▪ Ability to build effective relationships with a high level of initiative, tact and diplomacy and excellent judgement and discretion.
▪ High level of comfort and credibility working with senior leaders, as well as funders, supporters and volunteers with experience working with senior executives such as Presidents, Vice Presidents, Deans and other senior leaders on fundraising needs including in an event setting.
▪ Ability to navigate and be effective within a complex organization that values collaboration in addition to individuality and creativity.
▪ Superior communication and interpersonal skills; experience writing winning development plans, proposals and associated development materials and correspondence.
▪ Strong understanding of digital engagement tools, CRM platforms and data analytics to track alumni engagement.
▪ People-centred and goal-oriented with a reputation for integrity and transparency.
▪ Strong computer skills and experience working with relational donor databases (e.g. Advance).

How To Apply:
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement:
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey – Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work:
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.