Director, Advancement and Alumni Engagement

CASE; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Renison University College invites applications for the inaugural Director, Advancement and Alumni Engagement. This leadership role reports to the President and oversees fundraising, donor relations, and alumni engagement to advance Renison’s mission and the One Renison Campaign.

The Director will build and lead a high-performing advancement team, develop campaign communications, and ensure effective systems for donor management and reporting. A bachelor’s degree is required; CFRE is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• CFRE designation preferred.
• Significant progressive fundraising and advancement experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of fundraising strategies for the One Renison Campaign and priorities.
• Strengthen major gift pipeline and donor stewardship; cultivate donors and volunteers.
• Oversee advancement team, communications, and donor management systems; ensure reporting accuracy.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Campaign leadership

Strategic leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

CFRE designation preferred

Tools

Donor CRM

Job description

With gratitude, Renison University College acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Hodinohsyó:ni, and Attawandaran (Neutral) Peoples, which is situated on the Haldimand Tract, land granted to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometres on each side of the Grand River from mouth to source. The active work toward reconciliation takes place in all corners of Renison’s campus through research, learning, teaching, community building, and outreach.

Established in 1959 as an affiliated institution of the University of Waterloo, Renison University College offers a distinctive, close-knit community where students live, learn, and grow. Renison combines a strong sense of belonging and inclusion with the academic opportunities and resources of a world-class university. Guided by its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, Meeting the Moment, Renison is focused on nurturing transformative student leaders; advancing Indigenization, decolonization, inclusion, diversity and equity; fostering a strong and healthy community; strengthening teaching, research and learning; and advancing institutional sustainability. These priorities build on Renison’s distinctive educational strengths and longstanding commitment to student success and well-being, experiential learning, and community partnerships, which result in distinctively meaningful relationships with partners and alumni. Together, Renison’s committed faculty, engaging learning environment, vibrant student experience, strong sense of community, and commitment to social justice position the College to make a meaningful contribution to the University community while preparing graduates to contribute positively in a diverse and complex world.

Renison University College invites applications and nominations for the position of inaugural Director, Advancement and Alumni Engagement to lead its advancement strategy and build the philanthropic partnerships that will shape the institution's future. Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director will provide strategic leadership for fundraising, alumni engagement, donor relations, and campaign development. A central priority will be advancing the One Renison Capital Campaign, an ambitious initiative to expand residence capacity while modernizing essential campus infrastructure to create safe and welcoming student housing, strengthen long-term financial sustainability, and enhance the Renison experience for generations to come.

This highly visible role will lead the planning and execution of fundraising strategies in support of the One Renison Campaign and other institutional priorities. The Director will provide strategic leadership for campaign planning, readiness, and execution, ensuring alignment between fundraising objectives, institutional priorities, and key strategic initiatives. They will strengthen the major gift pipeline, cultivate and steward connections with donors, develop compelling fundraising strategies, and support the recruitment and mobilization of campaign volunteers and volunteer leaders.

The Director will also build and lead a high-performing advancement team, overseeing the development of campaign communications, stewardship programs, and related fundraising activities, while ensuring effective systems for donor management, tracking, analysis, and reporting. Serving as a key ambassador for Renison, the Director will build confidence among donors, alumni, volunteers, community partners, and institutional stakeholders, helping to foster a culture of philanthropy that advances Renison's mission and long-term sustainability.

The successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree, with a master’s degree considered an asset, and a CFRE designation preferred. They will bring significant, progressive experience in fundraising and advancement, including major gifts, legacy giving, donor stewardship, foundation relations, and campaign leadership, ideally within the post-secondary sector. A strategic and results-oriented leader, they will possess a strong understanding of donor strategy and pipeline development with the ability to translate vision into action. They will be an exceptional relationship builder, communicator, and team leader, demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism, adaptability, and the ability to inspire confidence among donors, volunteers, colleagues, and institutional stakeholders.

Renison University College has partnered with Andrea Patrick and Cora Hui of Odgers to support this recruitment. This posting is for a newly created position. The expected compensation range is $130,000-$160,000 plus a suite of competitive benefits.

References will be solicited at a later stage in the process as needed and with permission. Additionally, the successful candidate will be asked their consent to complete an educational and criminal records verification. The criminal records verification provides an indication of the existence of adult criminal convictions, for which a record suspension has not been granted, within the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records.

Renison University College respects, appreciates, and actively encourages diversity. As part of Renison’s commitment to equity within the College, it welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals with diverse experiences based on race, ethnic origin, religion, age, colour, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability or disability, including women, 2SLGBTQ, Indigenous Peoples, and other visible minorities. While all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Renison is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in the hiring process. Please contact a member of Odgers with accommodation requests at [e-mail].