Alumni Engagement Officer (Regional Engagement)

McMaster University; Hamilton, Toronto; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University is seeking an Alumni Engagement Officer for Regional Engagement (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area). The role focuses on building meaningful alumni connections, coordinating volunteer programs, and delivering services that support the University Advancement mission.

On-site work at Hamilton and Toronto offices is expected, with travel and some evening/weekend work as required. The successful candidate will manage volunteer programs, conduct needs assessments, coordinate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; a McMaster University degree is an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of prior experience.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Experience with databases (Ellucian Advance) preferred.
• Excellent customer-service orientation.
• Knowledgeable about McMaster University policies and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Recruitment, orientation, training, and recognition of volunteers.
• Annual needs assessment and action plan development.
• Evaluate programs and implement improvements.
• Plan and oversee events for alumni, students, community members, and staff.
• Coordinate activities with development, communications, and public affairs.
• Create printed and electronic materials for alumni communications.
• Represent the University and Alumni Association in correspondence and events.
• Develop and deliver presentations for various audiences.
• Update program practices for portfolio review and approval.
• Maintain databases and write queries; participate in advancement projects.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Database experience

Customer service

Time management

Policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Ellucian Advance

Job description

At McMaster University, we are driven by a shared purpose: advancing human and societal health and wellbeing. Through world-class research, transformative education, and meaningful community impact, we are addressing some of the world's most complex challenges and creating positive change locally and globally. Consistently ranked among Canada's top universities and recognized internationally for research excellence, innovation, and student success, McMaster is home to more than 37,000 students, over 250,000 alumni worldwide, and a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, learners, and partners. From pioneering discoveries in health sciences and engineering to advancing social innovation and community wellbeing, McMaster's impact extends far beyond our campus. As we look toward the future, philanthropy will play an increasingly important role in enabling the University's aspirations. Through strategic partnerships with donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, and community leaders, McMaster is creating opportunities to accelerate discovery, enhance student experiences, support breakthrough research, and strengthen its impact on society.

About University Advancement:

University Advancement serves as the bridge between McMaster's mission and the philanthropic community that helps bring that mission to life. Through alumni engagement, fundraising, stewardship, advancement services, and strategic partnerships, University Advancement fosters meaningful relationships that create lasting impact for the University and the communities it serves. Guided by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation, University Advancement is building a culture of philanthropy that supports McMaster's strategic priorities and future ambitions. The division is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity as it continues to strengthen fundraising capacity, deepen donor engagement, and position the University for future campaign success.

About the role:

The Alumni Engagement Officer is responsible for providing high-quality, meaningful opportunities for alumni to maintain positive relationships with the University by providing programs that achieve the goals of the McMaster, University Advancement and the McMaster Alumni Association. This includes supporting McMaster University; involving alumni; communicating with alumni; recognizing alumni achievements; providing services and benefits for alumni; and involving current McMaster students. The Alumni Engagement Officer is responsible for working towards achieving all goals above with a specific focus on an assigned portfolio. This position is responsible for making a positive commitment to University Advancement’s mission, vision and values and principles: Integrity, Quality, Respect, Service, Strategy and Teamwork. Due to the nature of this position some evening and week-end work as well as some travel will be required.

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff, faculty, and alumni community and supports the University mission, the ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions.

The Alumni Engagement Officer – Regional Engagement (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area) is required to work on-site, both at the McMaster Hamilton and Toronto office locations, a minimum of three days per week.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for the recruitment, orientation, training, recognition and on-going program coordination of volunteer programs. Volunteer Management experience is required.
• Complete an annual needs assessment and recommend an action plan for review. Provide input into the development of the plans and objectives.
• Evaluate on-going programs within portfolio and recommend modifications and improvements.
• Implement and maintain the program budget for portfolio. Create financial projections and make adjustments to the program budget throughout the fiscal year.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee events involving portfolio alumni, students, community members, faculty, staff and University senior administration.
• Coordinate all activities as appropriate with other University and University Advancement functions, mainly, development, communication and public affairs, advancement services and advancement work in the academic faculties.
• Create and produce printed materials, both conventional and electronic, to be distributed to McMaster’s ever-growing community of alumni.
• Represent the University and the Alumni Association through correspondence, both paper and electronic, phone and in-person contact. This includes managing alumni concerns and complaints.
• Develop, update and deliver presentations and represent the University and the Alumni Association in various public-speaking environments.
• Develop practices as required, in relation to an assigned portfolio, for review and approval by supervisor.
• Update and maintain information in various databases.
• Utilize effectively the computer systems designed to manage information on McMaster’s alumni and the alumni program. Extract data from the database and write queries.
• Participate, from time to time, in University Advancement projects such as project teams and work teams.
• Support, collaborate and, as appropriate, coordinate activities under the auspices of the Annual Giving program.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. A McMaster University degree is an asset

Experience:

• Requires 3 years of prior experience

Knowledge/skills:

• Superior interpersonal and communication skills (e.g. written and
• public speaking)
• Strong organizational skills and integrated approach
• High attention to detail
• Strong computer skills and experience with databases (Ellucian Advance)
• Excellent customer-service skills and strong service orientation
• Time-management and multi-tasking abilities
• Knowledgeable about McMaster University policies and guidelines; and University Advancement policies and procedures

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions. Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.