Executive Director, Alumni Relations

Acadia University; Wolfville; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Health and dental plan

Tuition discount

Free gym membership

4 weeks vacation

Holidays incl. winter break

Job summary

Acadia University is seeking an Executive Director, Alumni Relations to lead the alumni engagement portfolio and strengthen relationships with Acadia alumni and supporters worldwide.

Reporting to the Vice-President, External Relations, the role provides strategic direction for programs in alumni, communications, fundraising, and volunteer development, serving as the key liaison with the AAAU Board and committees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, fundraising, higher education, or a related field.
• Experience in alumni relations, advancement, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, communications, or a related field is an asset.
• Experience with volunteer boards or governance structures and strategic advising.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Alumni Relations and develop programs that strengthen alumni engagement.
• Serve as liaison with AAAU, offering governance support to the Board and committees.
• Lead alumni engagement, volunteer and fundraising initiatives, including events and donor cultivation.
• Develop and oversee strategic alumni communications across digital and traditional platforms.
• Collaborate with university leadership on recruitment, advancement, and reputation initiatives.

Skills

Alumni relations

Stakeholder engagement

Fundraising

Strategic leadership

Communications

Volunteer governance

Education

Bachelor's degree (related field)

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.

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.