Director, Alumni Relations Ivey Business School at Western University London, Ontario - Toronto, ON, Canada - Academica Group

Description

Ivey Business School at Western University

Hiring Range: $100,900-134,500.

About Ivey Business School:

Ivey Business School acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where Western University and Ivey Business School are located. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of the community.

Ivey Business School ( at Western University ( is Canada's leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey's faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today's leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

Advancement's mission is to nurture enduring relationships which foster meaningful engagement, financial support, advocacy and leadership among alumni and other stakeholders globally. The Alumni Relations team serves to promote and facilitate meaningful programming, content, and initiatives for degree alumni, to develop deeper points of engagement with their fellow alumni and the Ivey Business School. The team is also comprised of: Development which raises funds for the School from alumni, friends and corporate partners and manages donor stewardship; and Operations which manages our database, gift processing, prospect research and development of business intelligence through data analytics.

Position Overview:

As the Director of Alumni Relations, they serve as an integral leader within the Advancement team, playing a critical role in managing relationships with members of the alumni community to enlist their support in furthering the goals of the School. A passionate ambassador for the School, the Director excels in building strong relationships with alumni, faculty, and staff. They are a strategic thinker, recognized as a collaborative, trusted, and inspirational leader and volunteer manager, providing a clear vision for the implementation, management, and evaluation of alumni engagement strategies at Ivey. They are also not afraid to roll up their sleeves and be involved in the successful execution of events.

Known for their creativity, the Director is a thinker who engages with key stakeholders to understand their needs and motivations. This understanding informs the delivery and development of a diverse alumni programming, communications, and events portfolio, supporting each stage of an alumnus' life cycle and leveraging a variety of engagement methods. A collaborative leader, they can coach and inspire a team of alumni relations professionals to excel in their personal portfolios and collectively deliver world-class alumni programming and communications.

The Director of Alumni Relations is enthusiastic about working for Canada's most prestigious business school, collaborating with the brightest staff, students, and globally recognized faculty. They take pride in being a part of the broader Western University community.

Responsibilities:

Manage the Ivey Alumni Network (IAN) Board of Directors, Chapters and Ambassadors and work together to implement the IAN strategy

• Provide data-driven, strategic direction, vision and leadership to the IAN Board to help shape and support their vision while ensuring there is alignment with the School's priorities to increase and deepen the number of engaged alumni by providing meaningful programming and points of engagement with each other and the School.
• The Director is the primary liaison with the IAB Board which includes managing the volunteer IAN Board and Committees. This includes identifying, recruiting and orienting alumni to the Board, as well as managing the Board meetings and supporting the implementation of its vision and programming.
• Manage IAN Chapters and Ambassadors; identify, recruit and steward alumni volunteers to manage the relationships with alumni in various geographic locations around the world and provide orientation, guidance and support in the execution of their programs.

Develop and implement an overall Alumni Relations strategy to increase and deepen the number of engaged alumni

• Provide vision and strategic expertise along with the use of data analytics to inform the development and implementation of an overall strategy for Alumni Relations programs and activities, which engage alumni through traditional, digital, and emerging channels to sustain and enhance their relationships with the School.
• Lead the development of the overall IT strategy for Alumni Relations, seeking input from the IAN Board and working collaboratively with IT to ensure technology platforms and resources meet the needs of the Alumni Relations team and the Network.
• Oversee the Class Liaison Program, providing direction and input to Alumni Relations team to ensure each class is properly represented; formalize program election, training and orientation; continue to develop the role and responsibilities and enhance the relationship, recognition, and meaningful two-way communication between Ivey and Class Liaisons.
• Oversee the Recent Alumni Program, developing the Program to support the goal of engaging and educating students and recent graduates on the strength and pride of the Network through a variety of programs, through volunteer and leadership opportunities, and communication strategies to cultivate dynamic, reciprocal, and life-long relationships with the School and the Network.
• Oversee the development and implementation of thoughtful and sophisticated alumni engagement program which includes the development or refinement of programs and communications which are relevant and appealing to alumni at each stage of an alumnus' life cycle.

Implement and manage an effective Alumni Relations communications plan including Intouch, @Intouch, social media, and alumni communication

• Editor-in-Chief for Intouch magazine; manage the Intouch Editorial Board and oversee all aspects of the award-winning magazine content, development, production and delivery. Identify, recruit and orient alumni to the Board; design and facilitate bi-annual Board meetings.
• Oversee an effective communications strategy for Alumni Relations including Intouch, @Intouch, alumni communications, website, Alumni Hub and Dean's communication to alumni while ensuring effective coordination and collaboration with Development communications plan.
• Oversee social media strategy for Alumni Relations to further market/promote alumni programs and services. Work collaboratively with Marketing and Communications department to formulate and provide input from IAN Board, Chapters and Alumni Relations on use of social media.

Design and deliver marquee alumni programming such as Global Ivey Day, Homecoming and the Ivey Business Leader Award

• Manage the successful execution of the largest alumni event, Global Ivey Day, managing the volunteer GID committee, coordinating event details and marketing for 65+ global events on a cost-recovery basis.
• Oversee Homecoming Program. Provide direction and input to Alumni Relations team to ensure that the Homecoming program is meeting objectives, continues to be refined and is managed within the allocated budget.
• Support Ivey Business Leader Award Program by managing the Selection Committee through annual meetings to identify, vet and select honouree, liaise with Chair(s), honouree, speech writers, special guests and dignitaries and working with an event management firm manage all aspects of the event logistics for the dinner which includes run of show, speeches, briefings, briefing notes and research.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• University degree required, business degree preferred
• Minimum of 8-10 years' experience in progressively senior leadership roles in a related environment

Skills & Abilities

• Highly effective interpersonal skills with a professional presence and manner.
• Exceptional relationship management skills with the ability to inspire confidence and trust in alumni, staff and students.
• Demonstrated skills in complex project/event management, with a keen eye for attention to detail.
• Resourceful and independent, but comfortable working within the framework of an integrated program and team-oriented environment.
• Collaborative team member who enjoys supporting colleagues.
• Proven leadership experience inspiring and motivating a driven team to meet goals.
• Demonstrated initiative and the ability to identify opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; proven ability to write persuasive stakeholder communications.
• Cross-cultural competency with an ability to interact work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
• Appreciation of the mission, purpose and values of a comprehensive university, and more particularly, a leading business school and responding to educational and research requirement of an international business environment
• Travel is required at varied times of year for meetings and events. The candidate must be prepared to work additional hours during peak periods and with restrictions to vacations at certain times of the year. A valid driver's license is required.

What We Offer:

• A bright, inclusive, and modern eco-friendly working environment
• Flexible or hybrid work plans for many roles
• A collaborative and engaging work culture
• Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
• Market competitive compensation with annual increases available
• Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, Health Care Spending Account, as well as short- and long-term disability programs
• Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources
• A generous group retirement savings plan with 7.5% employer contributions
• Life and AD&D insurance for you and your family
• Out-of-country travel insurance
• Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days
• Paid time off during the School's December holiday closure
• Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events
• Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program with family coverage

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey's EDI homepage for more information on Ivey's commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey's progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey's EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodation

Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us at to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and/or throughout the recruitment process.

Application:

If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

*Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.

Don't forget to mention you found this opportunity via Academica Careers.