Manager, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, Douglas College
Gerard Search, Canada

The Manager, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations will play an important role in helping to raise philanthropic revenues and engage alumni and the wider community in the College’s strategic priorities. Working alongside the Director, Philanthropy, the Manager, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations will build strong relationships with donors, alumni and other stakeholders to implement and enhance activities to increase the Colleges’ donor pipeline, seek new opportunities for support, and engage its alumni and wider community in the life of the College. The Manager, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations supervises Philanthropy and Alumni Relations staff members using the Douglas College Strategic Plan to guide their work.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Director, Philanthropy with dotted line reporting to the Associate Director, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, the Manager, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations is responsible for the following:

PHILANTHROPY

• Assists in the development and implementation of the major gift and planned giving strategy;

• Drafts grant proposals, cases for support, donor impact reports, media releases and other donor-related communications to support the strategic directions of Douglas College, in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Office;
• Identifies, cultivates solicits and stewards corporate, foundation and individual major gift and planned giving prospects to achieve annual goals;
• Prepares reports on progress towards goals;
• Manages a major gift and planned giving portfolio that includes recognition activities;
• Works in partnership with the Marketing and Communications Office on the development and implementation of the Foundation and Alumni Relations communications plan, under the direction and supervision of the Associate Director, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations;
• Establishes strategic relationships with academic and administrative leaders across Douglas College;
• Attends networking events with the Director, Philanthropy and/or the Associate Director, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations to promote Douglas College Foundation in the community;
• Participates in professional organizations and keeping current on fundraising initiatives and related activities in post-secondary education, competing environments and the general business environment;
• Keeps current with political, economic, social and educational trends that might have an impact on the work of Douglas College Foundation;
• Represents the College and College interests externally in collaboration with the Director, Philanthropy and/or the Associate Director, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations and other College and academic leaders;
• Informs the Foundation and Alumni Relations’ leadership team on matters relating to major and planned gifts;
• Provides leadership and direction to Foundation and Alumni staff and volunteers including but not limited to recruitment and selection, training, approving work schedules, performance planning, professional development, evaluating and disciplining where appropriate;
• Performs other related duties as required.

ALUMNIRELATIONS

Under the direction of the Associate Director, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, this position is responsible for:

• Assists in the development and implementation of an alumni engagement strategy that specifically aims to build the Colleges’ global alumni community;
• Oversees a calendar of engagement alumni activities and events throughout the year, as well as engaging and supporting key volunteers to contribute time and expertise in support of the engagement strategy;
• Manages and optimizes the capture and use of alumni and stakeholder contact and engagement data; Liaising with Faculties and other internal College units to build partnerships and identify areas of alumni collaboration, including events, mentorships, guest speakers, internships, Giving Day, etc.;
• Liaises with Enrollment Services, to help plan and implement bi-annual Convocation activities;
• Delivers the fundraising strategy focused on alumni, embedding strong stewardship and relationship management systems;
• Identifies, negotiates and manages alumni affinity marketing initiatives and other alumni benefits;
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Established professional credibility as evidenced by a degree from an accredited post-secondary institution in a related area of study, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• At least five years of experience in alumni relations combined with three to five years experience in major donor fundraising;
• Proven track record of generating significant gifts from high net worth individuals;
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with fundraising strategies

Job Rewards and Benefits