The Opportunity

We are seeking a collaborative, creative and strategic Associate Director, Events and Community Programs to lead the development and implementation of a robust portfolio of community events and programs.  This is a newly defined and reimagined role post-pandemic, with a focus on building strategic, innovative and meaningful community engagement opportunities that support UCC’s Advancement initiatives.  With a renewed vision to inspire students to be their best selves and grounded in its mission to provide transformational learning experiences, this is a unique and exciting time for the Associate Director to lead engagement opportunities that build flourishing communities as part of UCC’s strategic directions towards the College’s 200th anniversary in 2029 and beyond. 

The Associate Director will thoughtfully deliver meaningful engagement opportunities like UCC’s Signature events, Alumni and Community events, as well as other events and activities related to UCC’s Advancement initiatives. Expertly applying market research to identify the needs and interests of constituents, the Associate Director will provide strategic and relevant programming. A strong tactician, the Associate Director will oversee the entire event lifecycle including the development of innovative ideas, critical paths and budgets, assignment of responsibilities, management of logistics and execution, and event evaluation.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Community Relations and responsible for the oversight of one direct report, the Associate Director will work collaboratively as a member of the Community Relations team, supporting all aspects of the Advancement office, with particular focus on initiatives created for alumni, parents, past parents, grandparents, and friends.

UCC offers flexible work arrangements based on the needs of the position.

About Upper Canada College

Upper Canada College’s mission to deliver transformational learning experiences is supported by expert faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and wide-ranging co-curricular offerings. UCC is an IB Continuum World School with 1,200 students in Senior Kindergarten through Year 12, including 88 boarders from around the world.

Located in central Toronto on 35 acres of green space in central Toronto, Upper Canada College was founded in 1829. Our alumni community of more than 12,500 in 80+ countries include leaders and innovators in politics, finance, arts, athletics, media and beyond. We are proud that approximately 20 per cent of UCC students receive financial assistance from the school’s sector-leading program, with $5 million available annually to Canadian students.

Our Vision: UCC values each boy and inspires him to be his best self. A UCC experience reflects the pluralism and promise of Canada and identifies the College as a global leader in the education of boys.

Our Mission: Upper Canada College provides transformational learning experiences that foster the development of head, heart, and humanity and inspire each boy to make a lasting and positive impact on his world.

Our Values

Learning – Learning about oneself and the world is at the heart of a UCC education. Through a rigorous liberal education and programs of personal development, each boy gains an understanding of himself, strong and wide-ranging skills, and knowledge that prepares him for success and responsible citizenship. We strive for excellence and celebrate accomplishment, valuing learning as a journey and not a destination. At UCC, learning is an ongoing pursuit marked by curiosity, collaboration, persistence, and openness to feedback. As a community, we model a culture of learning and growth.

Pluralism – A UCC experience is about more than just an appreciation of diversity; it is about celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives. Through an understanding and appreciation of pluralism we create a more inclusive community, and in turn, create a more just society where we work towards the common good.

Community – UCC’s culture is characterized by teamwork, collaboration, mutual respect and a fundamental belief in our Vision and Mission. We appreciate and value each individual, fostering strong and trusting relationships throughout our community. We stand by each other, offering support and care, and we foster in our boys the very best characteristics of brotherhood.

Service – To honour Sir John Colborne’s founding commitment to public purpose, UCC inspires boys to become service-oriented leaders who understand their unique qualities in relationship to others, have humility and empathy, and recognize their ability to positively influence change. At UCC we embrace the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference in our local and global communities.

Wellbeing – To foster individual and institutional wellbeing, UCC is committed to a learning and working environment that is safe, healthy, meaningful, engaging, and supportive. A UCC education equips each boy with the capabilities to develop the knowledge, self-awareness and strengths of character that enable lifelong resilience and allow him to flourish.

Strategic Directions: Towards 2029

Strategic Directions: Towards 2029 sets the course for our preferred future, one that is driven by our renewed vision to inspire boys to be their best selves and grounded in our mission to provide transformational learning experiences. Our Strategic Directions reaffirm our foundational focus on educating boys in an exceptional day school and boarding environment, delivering a rigorous liberal education through the International Baccalaureate Programme, and ensuring financial accessibility for boys of the highest potential.

Our history of bold and progressive thinking has inspired UCC’s renewed Strategic Directions— developed in extensive collaboration with our community. Three new goal pillars will guide our commitment to these strategic priorities and initiatives. They are Best Self—nurturing the unique combination of head, heart, and humanity in each boy; Flourishing Community—creating a vibrant school that values lifelong engagement; and Bold Future—embracing a culture of courage, striving for excellence, and advancing the common good.

This is a dynamic new agenda for UCC. It bolsters our commitment to deliver innovative teaching practices and learning outcomes, reflects the promise and pluralism of our global society, and supports the wellbeing of our boys, faculty, and staff. Our goals for the future are ambitious and exciting. We look forward to working with all members of the UCC community to achieve them, culminating in the extraordinary milestone of the College’s bicentennial.

For more details, please visit: https://towards2029.ucc.on.ca/

UCC’s Commitment to Pluralism

Education is critical to building an inclusive, just society. When we equip learners to challenge stereotypes, bias, and fear, and to understand their origins — and when we celebrate and support the identities of all in our community and make it safe for them to be themselves — we create true belonging.

To fully realize UCC’s vision to reflect the pluralism and promise of Canada, and to fully live our pluralism value, we’re implementing a multi-year strategy to foster a transformational learning environment where all students, employees and community members feel valued and that they truly belong.

The course we’re charting is grounded in ongoing consultation, which to June 2021 has included more than 25 sessions involving close to 400 community members, as well as continuous dialogue, and the creation of a strategic planning committee with representation from across the College. Responding to our community’s needs and to complex global challenges, the strategy aims to remove barriers and biases that impede belonging and inclusion, and to integrate a breadth of voices and experiences.

UCCs pluralism strategy comprises 56 initiatives and 163 related actions to be implemented over at least the next five years. It addresses eight anti-oppression categories: ableism; anti-racism; antisemitism; homophobia and transphobia; Indigenous reconciliation; anti-Muslim discrimination; sexism; and socio-economic discrimination.

Through our wide-ranging initiatives and actions, we’re paving the way for positive change in seven specific categories across all aspects of College life: curriculum and pedagogy; students, programs, and support; people, organization, and professional development; admission; community; facilities and learning environments; and monitoring and evaluation.

Advancement @ UCC

The Advancement Team at Upper Canada College is collectively responsible for advancing the mission of the College through meaningful philanthropic relationships, community relations and communications.

Every dollar contributed supports the educational mission of UCC, whether by contributing to our sector-leading financial assistance program that enhances the accessibility, diversity and impact of the UCC experience for all students and supporting the ongoing development and excellence of our facilities, programs, and faculty, through to the provision of equipment and resources for teaching and learning, athletics, arts and culture.

The Advancement team is currently comprised of 22 staff organized in four units: Marketing & Communications, Community Relations, Advancement Operations, and Development.  We work closely with faculty and staff across the School, and we also work very closely with alumni and parent volunteers.

Key Areas of Responsibility for the Associate Director, Events and Community Programs: 

 Events and Program Strategy and Execution

• In consultation with the Executive Director, Community Relations, the incumbent will develop and deliver the strategy and operational planning for events and community programs, including:
  • Signature events such as: Association Day, Founders Dinner, Norval Days, Alumni Weekend, Reunions.
  • Community content, including for events above, as well as relevant communications initiatives (Alumni newsletter and publication related content, social posts, etc.).
  • College events, such as Leaving Class Ceremony, Remembrance Day ceremony, etc.
  • Events and activities related to UCC fundraising initiatives.
• Oversee the entire event lifecycle including the development of innovative ideas, critical paths and budgets, assignment of responsibilities, management of logistics and execution, and event evaluation.
• Strategically assess current and emerging trends in event planning, finding opportunities to elevate and enhance community engagement. Use market research to identify needs and interests of constituents to provide thoughtful, relevant and strategic programming.
• Research suppliers, negotiate quotes, communicate and oversee deliverables and assess work. Ensure competitive prices based on multiple events and regularly test out new suppliers where appropriate.
• Collaborate with internal and/or external communications teams to develop content for event marketing materials and promotions.
• Use technology for event delivery to ensure accessibility by various demographics.
• Accountable for the overall events budget, preparing budgets for all events, monitoring expenses, creating final budget reports and conducting financial analysis.
• Manage the confidentiality of the Advancement database, ensuring that mechanisms that are developed to allow contact between alumni are properly authorized.

Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as an ambassador for Advancement within the community. Establish trust and understanding, use diplomacy and tact to navigate complex issues and ensure mission alignment and cohesion.
• Key relationship manager for the Signature Event committees and/or volunteers including: Association Day, Founders Dinner, Norval Days, etc.
• Liaise and provide event leadership support to Association and Advancement team members.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key volunteers, staff and internal suppliers (Aramark, security, facilities, etc.).
• Provide support to volunteers and volunteer committees as well as other staff and suppliers to plan and execute events.

Evaluation of Events and Programs

• Continually evaluate and provide insight on the direction and development of events.
• Regularly seek feedback from event participants through focus groups, post-event surveys and other interactions to identify areas of interest and opportunities to enhance events.

Team Leadership

• Lead and manage the Coordinator, Events and Community Programs, including recruitment, training/development, performance evaluation, and employee engagement.
• Set clear expectations, promote high levels of accountability, and support staff in optimal achievement.

Qualifications & Competencies:

• Progressive events and community program management experience, including annual planning, budget management and implementation.
• Proven ability to evaluate a portfolio of events and strategically identify areas of opportunity and growth.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and assess requirements for planned events and ensure the successful management of all logistics.
• Knowledge of trends and emerging practices with fundraising and community events.
• Exceptional organization, planning and time management skills combined with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to inspire audiences through conversations and presentations (including virtual and in-person) and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, leverage and communicate stories in a meaningful way to further increase community engagement.
• Ability to make decisions in ambiguous situations, exercise good judgment based on information and analysis in a fast pace, dynamic and deadline driven environment in an organized and professional manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive and Advancement staff to optimize community outreach and engagement activities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and cultivate effective professional networks and relationships with community individuals, groups and businesses.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key volunteers, senior staff and internal suppliers.
• Highly professional demeanor, capable of exercising independent judgment and initiative.
• Ability to work proactively in a fast-paced, changing environment requiring flexibility and adaptability to meet deadlines and targets.
• University degree or college diploma in event management or in a related field, or an equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required.

For more Information

KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Upper Canada College. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Christine Cho at KCI Search + Talent via email at UCCEvents@kcitalent.com

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Interested candidates should send resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by January 21, 2022.

To view the full Position Brief, please visit:  www.kcitalent.com

Please note that the hiring range for this position is $70,000 – $90,000 per annum, plus a wide range of benefits and perquisites that are available to all UCC employees.

For more info about working at UCC please visit: https://www.ucc.on.ca/welcome/careers

UCC is proud to be an Employer Partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). This partnership provides our team with learning resources and is one part of our journey to embrace pluralism – celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives.

Upper Canada College requires full vaccination for all eligible students and employees who will be accessing the campus for in-person learning and activities. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, exemptions will only be considered for defined medical conditions as determined by a clinician. Candidates are asked to proactively identify if they require more information about policy-accepted exemptions. A Criminal Records Check and a Vulnerable Sector Check will be required for this position.