Executive Director, Alumni Relations

Acadia; Wolfville; Hybrid; CAD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health and dental plan

Telemedicine

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Employee and family assistance

Tuition discount

Gym facility membership

4 weeks' vacation

University holidays

Job summary

Acadia University is seeking an Executive Director, Alumni Relations to lead the University's alumni engagement portfolio and strengthen connections with alumni worldwide. Reporting to the Vice-President, External Relations, this role provides strategic direction for programs, communications, fundraising, and volunteer development, while serving as the key liaison with AAAU.

The successful candidate will build meaningful ties between alumni and Acadia, promoting the University’s reputation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with significant experience.
• Experience in alumni relations, advancement, fundraising, or stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership and staff development.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work across departments and with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Alumni Relations and engagement programs.
• Lead liaison with the Associated Alumni of Acadia University (AAAU) and provide governance support.
• Drive alumni fundraising initiatives and donor engagement.
• Oversee strategic alumni communications across digital and traditional platforms.
• Collaborate with University recruitment and advancement initiatives.
• Lead and develop Alumni Relations staff.

Skills

Alumni relations

Fundraising

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position: Executive Director, Alumni Relations
Department: External Relations
Position Type: Full-time, Permanent
Date Posted: September 1, 2026
Application Deadline: September 17, 2026 at 11:59pm
Competition #: 26-23-AU
Salary: To be commensurate with qualifications and experience in the range of $125,000 - $140,000 per annum.
Benefits: Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plan, Telemedicine with Greenshield Health, health spending account, life insurance, optional life insurance, AD&D insurance, long-term disability insurance, employee and family assistance program, tuition discount for employees and their dependents, free gym facility membership, 4 weeks' vacation, university paid holidays including winter break closure.

For further information or to request a detailed job description, please contact Elektra Papadogiorgaki at [e-mail].

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, fundraising, higher education, or a related field, with significant relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience in alumni relations, advancement, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, communications, or a related field, preferably within a university or comparable organization is an asset.
• Experience working with volunteer boards, committees, or governance structures, with the ability to provide strategic advice and support.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish strong connections with diverse stakeholders and alumni communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, with the ability to apply an inclusive and culturally sensitive lens to communications, engagement, and relationship-building.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing communications for a variety of audiences and platforms.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff and volunteers.
• Strong organizational, project management, and strategic planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in developing programs, communications, and engagement strategies.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and build productive relationships with senior leaders, faculty, staff, volunteers, donors, and alumni.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and digital engagement strategies and their application to alumni relations is an asset.

Responsibilities

Acadia's Office of External Relations, together with the Associated Alumni of Acadia University (AAAU), is seeking an experienced and strategic Executive Director, Alumni Relations to provide leadership for the University's alumni engagement portfolio and strengthen relationships with Acadia alumni and supporters around the world.

Reporting to the Vice-President, External Relations, the Executive Director provides strategic direction for alumni programs, engagement, communications, fundraising, and volunteer development. The position serves as the key liaison between Acadia University and the Associated Alumni of Acadia University (AAAU), providing strategic guidance and governance support to the AAAU Board and its committees.

The successful candidate will build meaningful connections between alumni and the University, creating opportunities for alumni to engage with Acadia, promote its reputation, support its students and programs, contribute financially, and serve as ambassadors for the University.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Provide strategic leadership for Alumni Relations, developing and implementing programs and initiatives that strengthen alumni engagement, support University priorities, and foster lifelong connections with Acadia.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Associated Alumni of Acadia University (AAAU), providing strategic advice and governance support to the AAAU Board and committees and strengthening collaboration between the University and its alumni community.
• Lead alumni engagement, volunteer, and fundraising initiatives, including events, outreach, donor cultivation, alumni recognition, and innovative opportunities to engage alumni as ambassadors and supporters of Acadia.
• Develop and oversee strategic alumni communications across digital and traditional platforms, ensuring alumni are informed, connected, and engaged with the University.
• Collaborate across the University on recruitment and advancement initiatives, identifying opportunities for alumni to support student recruitment, fundraising, and the University's reputation.
• Provide leadership to Alumni Relations staff, ensuring effective planning, delivery, and evaluation of programs and services.

Additional Information

Acadia University acknowledges that we are in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq. This territory is covered by the "Treaties of Peace and Friendship" which the Mi'kmaq, Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi'kmaq and Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. Acknowledging the land that we are on, means that we are working towards decolonization across campus.

Acadia University is strongly committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, Black and African Nova Scotians, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons living with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. As part of your application, you are invited to complete a brief Employment Equity Voluntary Self-Identification Form. This form is voluntary.

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. If you require accommodation because of a disability or for any other reason during the interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Please be advised that only those invited for an interview will be contacted. The University reserves the right not to fill this position. A six-month eligibility list may be established from this competition to fill future vacancies for identical positions. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.