Manager External Engagement

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph is seeking a Manager, External Engagement. You will report to the Director of Business Operations and lead engagement, partnerships, and events to advance LANG priorities.

You will supervise staff and students, partner with leadership, and use data to drive strategy and ROI for outreach and fundraising initiatives.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in business or related field with at least three years’ experience in event, administrative, and communications management.
• Progressive external engagement and event planning experience in a complex organization.
• Proven ability to develop audience-focused strategies and manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a multi-year external engagement and event plan aligned with LANG priorities.
• Build and steward relationships with alumni, donors, employers, partners and associations.
• Lead high-profile events with measurable outcomes and branding consistency.
• Provide strategic leadership to staff and students and advise senior leaders.
• Monitor budgets, evaluate results and report to the Dean and leadership.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented team culture.

Skills

External engagement

Event planning

Strategic partnerships

Communications

Team leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree in business

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Gordon S Lang School of Business and Economics

Department: LANG - Office of the Dean

This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph.

General Purpose

The Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics is seeking a strategic, collaborative and results-oriented Manager, External Engagement to strengthen the School’s profile, relationships and impact. Reporting to the Director of Business Operations and working closely with the LANG leadership team, the Manager will advance LANG’s strategic priorities, enhance its reputation and connect the School with alumni, donors, employers, community partners and other key audiences.

The Manager will translate institutional priorities into compelling engagement strategies, coordinated campaigns, high-profile events and meaningful partnerships. The role provides leadership to staff and student employees, advises senior leaders, works across academic and administrative units, and uses evidence and performance measures to continuously improve reach, participation and return on investment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• External engagement strategy: Develop and implement a multi-year engagement and event plan aligned with LANG and University priorities, with clear objectives, audiences, measures and timelines.
• Partnership and relationship development: Build and steward productive relationships with alumni, donors, employers, business and community leaders, professional associations, government and other external partners.
• Brand and reputation: Lead initiatives that elevate LANG’s distinctiveness, academic excellence, research impact and “business as a force for good” positioning.
• Recruitment and advancement support: Develop engagement and communications approaches that support student recruitment, fundraising, donor stewardship and LANG’s academic programs.
• Events and experiences: Provide strategic leadership for high-profile School events, ensuring strong objectives, consistent branding, effective stakeholder coordination and measurable outcomes.
• Measurement and insight: Establish key performance indicators, monitor budgets and resources, evaluate results, and provide recommendations and reports to the Dean and senior leadership.
• Team leadership: Lead, coach and develop staff and student employees; establish priorities, support performance and foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture.

Requirements

• An undergraduate degree in business or a related field along with at least three years’ experience with event management, administrative management, and communication management in a fast-paced office environment or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• Progressive experience leading external engagement, event planning, marketing, communications or partnership development in a complex organization.
• Proven success developing audience-focused strategies that advance organizational priorities.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing, writing and presentation skills.
• Experience leading teams and projects, managing competing priorities and overseeing budgets.
• Strong judgement and analytical skills, with experience using digital tools and performance data to guide decisions.

Employee Type:Regular
Position Number: 10928408

The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 09/24/2026