Associate Vice President, Advancement and External Relations

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 164,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Vacation

Defined Benefits Pension Plan

Comprehensive Benefits

December Break

Job summary

Red River College Polytechnic seeks an Associate Vice President, Advancement and External Relations to lead its external relations portfolio, uniting Development, Polytech and Public Relations with Marketing and Web Presence. You will strengthen philanthropic support, government and community engagement, and advocacy for the Polytechnic.

You will guide comprehensive fundraising initiatives and major gift strategies while shaping government relations priorities and building influential networks

Qualifications

• Post secondary education is required and supported by several years of experience at a senior level.
• Experience leading a significant capital or major‑gift campaign with donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Proven ability to establish and sustain strategic relationships with industry, government and community partners.
• Experience advising senior leadership on fundraising, advocacy and external engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising initiatives and major gift campaigns across Development, Polytech and Public Relations and Marketing.
• Shape government relations priorities and work with multiple levels of government to advance institutional priorities.
• Cultivate high‑value external relationships and navigate political environments with sound judgment.
• Oversee budget planning, governance, and fund development practices across the external relations portfolio.

Skills

Senior leadership

Major gifts

Government relations

Stakeholder engagement

Fundraising strategy

Data analytics

Diversity & inclusion

Change management

External networking

Education

Postsecondary education

Tools

AI tools

Job description

About US

RRC Polytech is Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning and research, with more than 150 full- and part-time degrees, diploma and certificate options. Through hands‑on and online learning opportunities and state‑of‑the‑art instruction, we prepare our students to become leaders in their fields – while also ensuring they can meet changing industry demands and contribute to the province’s economic growth.

Accessibility and Accommodations

RRC Polytech is committed to accessible employment and to ensuring that our hiring processes are barrier free. If you require information in an alternate format, or if you require an accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail]

Associate Vice President, Advancement and External Relations

People & Culture

POSITION TYPE: Full‑Time Position Available

POSITION LOCATION: Notre Dame Campus (Winnipeg, MB), Hybrid – RRC Polytech reserves the right to modify work arrangements in alignment with operational and organizational needs.

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non‑Union

For the purposes of this job posting, internal applicants and applicants from MITT will be given preference over external applicants.

At RRC Polytech we aspire to have a workforce that is representative of the diversity within our communities. For this hiring process, a preference hiring practice will be applied. Consideration will be given to applicants who self‑identify within their application as one or more of the following equity‑deserving group(s): Women, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Racialized Persons, Persons of the 2SLGBTQlA+ Community. For more information about our hiring practices, please visit: www.rrc.ca/hr/work/hiring-process/

Employment support is available to candidates who self‑identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) seeking employment at Red River College Polytechnic. For guidance on the application process, interview preparation, or to discuss accommodation needs, applicants are invited to contact our Indigenous Recruitment Consultant at [e-mail].

TALENT POOL: This competition may be used to establish a 12‑month talent pool of qualified candidates for future vacancies. Even if you do not meet all of the listed qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

ABOUT THE TEAM

This role provides leadership to three established teams within RRC Polytech's external relations portfolio: Development, Polytech and Public Relations, and Marketing and Web Presence. Together, these teams support the Polytechnic's fundraising, communications, relationship‑building, and engagement efforts, helping advance institutional priorities and strengthen connections with donors, partners, governments, industry, and the broader community. This is an opportunity to work with dedicated professionals and build on the strong foundation in place across the portfolio.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As a key member of the Polytechnic's leadership team, reporting to the Vice President, People and Culture, you will lead RRC Polytech's external relations portfolio, bringing together Development, Polytech and Public Relations, and Marketing and Web Presence to strengthen philanthropic support, government and community relationships, awareness, engagement, and advocacy for the Polytechnic.

You will provide strategic leadership for comprehensive fundraising initiatives, campaigns, and major gift strategies, while also shaping and advancing the Polytechnic's government relations priorities. Working across all levels of government, you will identify opportunities, build relationships, and support advocacy efforts that advance institutional priorities and strengthen public investment in the Polytechnic.

Working closely with the President and CEO and in partnership with senior leaders across the institution, you will provide strategic advice, cultivate high‑value external relationships, and navigate complex political, public policy, and stakeholder environments with sound judgment and political acuity. You will oversee budget planning and resource allocation, participate in organizational change initiatives, strengthen a culture of philanthropy through data‑informed decision‑making, and ensure proper governance, accountability, and fund development practice across the portfolio.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• Post secondary education is required and supported by several years of experience at a senior level or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated senior-level experience developing and leading a significant comprehensive, capital, or major‑gifts campaign, including experience with major‑donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, campaign planning, and volunteer leadership
• Demonstrated success establishing and sustaining strategic relationships with industry, business, community, philanthropic, and public‑sector partners
• Significant experience developing productive relationships with provincial and federal governments, including elected officials, senior public servants, departments, and agencies
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing advocacy or government‑relations strategies in a complex, highly visible, and politically sensitive environment
• Experience advising and working closely with a President, CEO, Executive Team, Board, or equivalent senior leadership group on fundraising, advocacy, external engagement, and institutional reputation
• A well‑developed external network and demonstrated ability to represent an institution credibly and effectively with senior external audiences
• In‑depth understanding of branding, marketing and client recruitment strategies
• Experience with Strategic Issues management
• Demonstrated ability to promote change within an organization
• Exemplifies the values and ethics of RRCP including diversity, equity and inclusion
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience leading diverse, multi‑disciplinary teams through change, while building alignment, collaboration, accountability, and an inclusive team culture
• Experience building a respectful workplace culture that promotes diversity, learning and continuous improvement

NICE TO HAVE

• Ability to use AI tools to gather, analyze, and report data
• Ability to guide staff/faculty in responsible and ethical use of AI in role specific work
• High level of emotional intelligence, social awareness, perceptiveness, organizational, business and political acumen, and a strategic business sense
• Advanced political acumen and a strong understanding of provincial and federal government structures, policy processes, funding environments, stakeholder dynamics, and advocacy practices

WHY WORK WITH US

At RRC Polytech, we believe our people are our greatest assets. We offer supportive, inclusive workplace where you can grow, contribute and thrive.

• Salary Range for this position: $164,447 - $220,225 per annum
• Generous Paid Vacation: full‑time employees accumulate a minimum of 15‑days vacation per year, increasing to 30 days with service, while full‑time Instructors accumulate 44 days per year. Information on casual and part‑time vacation accrual is outlined in the Collective Agreement or the Terms and Conditions for Excluded Employees as applicable
• December Break: employees receive time off with pay during the period between Boxing Day and New Year's Day
• Defined Benefits Pension Plan: Employer and Employee contributions to future retirement benefits
• Comprehensive Benefits: Including Health and Group Life insurance, Long Term Disability, employee & family assistance program, mental health support up to $1,000, and a robust Health Care Spending Account
• Inclusive Leave Programs: Wellness, maternity, adoptive, and parental leave, as well as ceremonial, cultural, religious and spiritual leave
• Growth and Recognition: Professional development, professional licensing and fees coverage, and severance pay on retirement

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• This position may be required to work evenings and/or weekends
• May be required to work at various RRC Polytech campuses
• Incumbent must provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Records Check, including a Vulnerable Persons Sector Check
• Incumbent must provide a current and satisfactory Child Abuse Registry Check

Please note that applicants internal to Red River College Polytechnic must apply through My Portal on HRIS Unlimited. If you require additional information or have question(s) regarding this posting please contact Odiri Ajakpovi, CPHR on [e-mail]

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.