Business Development Officer

McGill University; Montreal; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Vacation

Personal days

Remote work up to 2 days/week

Job summary

McGill University is seeking a Desautels Toronto Lead to grow student outcomes by expanding employer partnerships, internships, and alumni engagement in the GTA. This externally facing role demands strong business development, relationship management, and coaching capabilities, with deep knowledge of Toronto’s labour market.

The position includes responsibilities across employer development, alumni programs, and career coaching, with opportunities to drive learning experiences and employment

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in business development, employer relations, career services, talent acquisition, alumni engagement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building strategic partnerships with employers and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing and managing alumni engagement, mentorship, or volunteer programs.
• Knowledge of Toronto labour market trends and employer recruitment practices is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with targeted industries, employers, business associations, and community organizations in the GTA.
• Promote the university’s programs and talent pipeline to employers and increase visibility within high-growth employment sectors.
• Lead alumni engagement initiatives including mentorship programs, networking events, and industry roundtables.
• Provide career coaching and guidance to students and alumni; deliver workshops and career development programs.
• Collaborate with Alumni Relations to implement outreach strategies and track results.
• Represent the institution at industry conferences and employer forums.

Skills

Business development

Alumni engagement

Career services

Talent acquisition

Relationship management

Strategic partnerships

Coaching

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, Human Resources, Career Development, or related field

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Desautels Career Management Services, the Desautels Toronto Lead (DTL) is responsible for growing student outcomes in the Greater Toronto Area, including full‑time job placements, internships, mentoring relationships and alumni engagement levels. The DTL will nurture and expand employer partnerships, increase alumni engagement events, and establish career development initiatives.

The role serves as a strategic bridge between students, alumni, employers, and the broader business community to create meaningful career opportunities and strengthen long‑term institutional relationships.

The candidate will seek out, develop, expand and maintain strategic partnerships with corporations, industry associations, alumni, and community organizations to support recruitment, experiential learning, mentorship, and employment outcomes for undergraduate and master’s students. In addition, the DTL will provide ad hoc career coaching support to students and alumni while fostering a vibrant alumni engagement ecosystem that advances mentorship, networking, and employer connectivity.

This highly external‑facing role requires strong business development, relationship management, and coaching capabilities, along with a deep understanding of Toronto’s labour market and corporate landscape.

Primary Responsibilities

Employer Partnerships & Business Development (~70%)

• Works in close collaboration with the Career Management Services’ Business Development team to identify opportunities for development of internship, experiential learning, and full‑time employment opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students in the greater Toronto Area.


• Create and maintain strategic relationships, partnerships, and alliances with targeted industries, employers, business associations, and community organizations throughout the GTA.


• Develop diversified new business contacts aligned with student interests, career aspirations, and institutional priorities.


• Promote the Desautels Faculty of Management’s programs and talent pipeline to existing and prospective employers and increase visibility within high‑growth employment sectors.


• Identify and develop opportunities to connect students, employers, alumni, and industry leaders.


• Monitor labour market trends and provide relevant market intelligence to students, career coaches, faculty leadership, and stakeholders.


• Works with the Career Management Services team to ensure that opportunities are promoted effectively through career portals, newsletters, and targeted outreach.


• Validate key employment information directly with employers, including hiring processes, recruitment timelines, salary information, technical requirements, and desired competencies.


• Collaborate with student clubs, academic programs, employer partners and the Career Events Officer to deliver networking events, employer information sessions, industry treks, and recruitment initiatives.


• Track employer engagement activity, recruitment outcomes, and business development metrics through designated CRM platforms.


• Represent the institution at industry conferences, networking events, employer forums, and professional association meetings.

Alumni Engagement & Mentorship (~20%)

• Collaborate with Alumni Relations team to develop and implement coordinated outreach strategy and identify collaborative opportunities that support student success and alumni engagement objectives (and track results).


• Develop and execute strategies to re‑engage alumni and strengthen their connection to McGill and Career Services.


• Build and maintain relationships with alumni across key industries and organizations throughout Toronto and beyond and facilitate alumni engagement initiatives including mentorship programs, coffee chats, networking events, career panels, employer spotlights, and industry roundtables.


• Design and manage structured mentorship programs connecting students, recent graduates, and experienced alumni.


• Recruit, support, and recognize alumni volunteers serving as mentors, speakers, recruiters, panelists, and industry advisors.


• Encourage alumni participation in recruiting, experiential learning, sponsorship, and industry engagement opportunities.


• Support the maintenance of a common (single) current database of alumni contact information


• Develop industry‑specific alumni networks that foster professional development and long‑term engagement.

Other: Career Coaching & Talent Development (~10%)

• Provide ad hoc one‑on‑one career coaching and advising to master’s students seeking careers in Toronto, interns, and alumni.


• Support students with career exploration, job search strategies, networking, personal branding, resume development, interview preparation, and career transitions.


• Serve as an additional coaching resource for MBA students during periods of high demand and coaching capacity constraints.


• Deliver occasional workshops, webinars, group coaching sessions, and career development programs focused on employability and professional growth, focusing on the Masters programs.


• Collaborate with Career Services colleagues to identify student needs and develop targeted career programming.


• Support alumni seeking career advancement, career transitions, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities.


• Contribute to the development of scalable career services initiatives that extend support beyond graduation and promote lifelong career development.


• Evaluate coaching outcomes and continuously improve service delivery based on market needs and stakeholder feedback.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

Education

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, Human Resources, Career Development, or a related field.


• Career coaching certification is considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in business development, employer relations, career services, talent acquisition, alumni engagement, or a related field.


• Demonstrated success building strategic partnerships with employers and external stakeholders.


• Experience developing and managing alumni engagement, mentorship, or volunteer programs.


• Experience providing career coaching, talent development, or professional advising services.


• Strong understanding of Toronto labour market trends, employer recruitment practices, and industry sectors.

Key Competencies

• Business Development and Relationship Management


• Employer Partnerships and Corporate Engagement


• Alumni Relations and Volunteer Management


• Career Coaching and Talent Development
  
• Strategic Networking and Influence


• Stakeholder Engagement


• Communication and Presentation Skills


• Program Development and Project Management


• Data Analysis and Performance Measurement


• Initiative, autonomy, organizational skills, business savvy

As one of Montreal’s Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)


• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)


• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)


• Competitive vacation policy


• Two (2) personal days


• Two (2) floating holidays


• Nine (9) “Summer Fridays” - paid days off between the St‑Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day


• Paid time off over the December holiday period


• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents


• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.

Annual Salary

(MPEX Grade 05) $73,470.00 - $91,840.00 - $110,210.00

Job Profile

MPEX-SAF2B - Student Services - Professional 2

Hours per Week

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor

Associate Professor

Position End Date (If applicable)

2027-10-11

Deadline to Apply

2026-11-10

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self‑identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].