Director, Industry Engagement

A student's relationship with SAIT doesn't end at convocation — we are proud of the life-long relationships we have with our alumni. The Alumni and Development department shares SAIT's story, connects donors to incredible people, projects and experiences. SAIT is fortunate to receive financial support from our alumni family, industry and community at large. If you're passionate about nurturing the connections between SAIT and our alumni family, we want to meet you.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the AVP, Advancement, the Director, Industry Engagement is responsible for creating and implementing an Industry Engagement Strategy for SAIT, establishing the Industry Engagement Office as a service-focused corporate portal, representing SAIT's distinct industry value proposition to current and prospective corporate partners.

Together with the Industry Engagement Team, the incumbent will establish practices, processes and resources that support the development of diverse, strategic partnerships in key focus areas that contribute to student success, enhance SAIT's reputation with industry, and that bring resources and revenue to the institution.

The incumbent connects, coordinates, and communicates with units across SAIT through a "OneSAIT" approach, ensuring a seamless interface between SAIT schools and departments and external partners. The Office will be responsible for the creation of an industry "front door" that affords information and access to SAIT's offerings to industry; engendering a culture of data collection on industry engagement; and development of an Industry Engagement Playbook that helps guide the institution in evaluating and maximizing the value of corporate relationships.

Note: This search is being led by SAIT's search partner, Christoph Clodius at The Discovery Group. Please apply directly through their website at If you have questions, please reach out to Christoph directly at SAIT will not be reviewing applicants received through our career page.

• Internal Management (estimated 40% of time)
• Create and support a cross-institutional forum for knowledge exchange among SAIT personnel involved in industry engagement.
• Participate or lead senior leadership SAIT committees and working groups.
• Staffing and establishing the Industry Engagement Office (IEO)
• Development of marketing materials to facilitate industry engagement in collaboration with Marketing.
• Develop and maintain industry contact plans, databases, and corporate profiles.
• Participate in implementation of a customer relationship management system for use across SAIT.
• Develop metrics to measure and report on progress in industry engagement.
• Annual reporting, budgeting, and metrics
• Connect, collaborate and be high-level knowledgeable on all SAIT divisions on their needs, strategies, offerings, and goals.
• External Management (estimated 60% of time)
• Create and implement industry partnership plans for targeted corporations in Calgary, Canada and beyond.
• Identify and engage new industry partnerships.
• Network (and sell) with industry to create new partnerships, opportunities, alliances, and revenue generating scenarios.
• Support deans, academic chairs, and others within SAIT in their engagement with industry partners.
• Support the engagement of SAIT's president and Executive Management team in corporate relations (President's Round Table, external activities, corporate meetings)
• Fostering, nurturing, and maintaining relationships with related allied partners (e.g. Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Calgary Economic Development, Platform Calgary)

• Exceptionally relationship-oriented. Takes satisfaction in catalysing and connecting for long-term and mutually-beneficial impact.
• Outgoing and proactive. A natural networker actively and consciously seeking to build community.
• Tangible passion for SAIT and its work, products, programs, and initiatives.
• Curious, open-minded, and focused on potential. Works to identify affinities, opportunities for collaboration, and undiscovered needs.
• Strong service mentality; thrives in seeing communities being built. Has an innate sense and ability to deliver best-in-class service. An unwavering commitment to follow through and responsiveness.
• A track record of building and deepening relationships as a collaborator, strategic thinker, and all-around go-getter. A start-up and entrepreneurial mindset.
• A business background gleaned from some combination of business development, enterprise sales, or having started (and exited) a business.
• Strategic selling and business operations lens, to both needs and goals; highly attuned to the 'art of the possible' with regards what can be created.
• Change management experience; actively creates internal buy-in and proceeds in a thoughtful and deliberate manner.
• Strong ability to prioritize and scope; can actively balance potentially competing priorities quickly and thoughtfully.
• Unquestioned honesty and integrity; gravitas and credibility to be taken seriously and lead from below both within and with partners.
• High EQ to know how best to position themselves and can actively lead from the middle; a low-ego approach.
• A keen and successful negotiator.
• Brilliant communicator and top notch listener. Can translate skillfully between academia, industry, and others. Adaptable and flexible.
• Familiarity with and/or experience working within a post-secondary context is helpful but not mandatory.
• Skills/Expertise Required:
• Strategic relationship management: ability to prepare and execute high quality engagement plans and strategies that measurably support achievement of institutional objectives.
• Organizational savvy and collaboration: must be capable of successfully operating in a complex organizational environment in which trust, credibility, integrity, and strong campus-wide relationships are integral to success.
• Management skills: proven ability to effectively manage human resources, including hiring, performance management, development, and conflict management.
• Attention to detail: from development to delivery – attention to detail and follow through on plans, activities, budget, and timelines. High quality standards. Adapt with data management, collection, and analysis including CRM knowledge.
• Service focused: must be attentive and responsive to client needs and operate in a way that is consistent with SAIT's FIRST principles (Fairness, Integrity, Respect, Safety and Transparency)
• A bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience, education, and community engagement, is required.
• While some travel may be expected, most travel will be local and throughout Alberta.

Application deadline: June 14, 2024

To Apply

This search is being led by SAIT's search partner, Christoph Clodius at The Discovery Group. Please apply directly through their website at If you have questions, please reach out to Christoph directly at SAIT will not be reviewing applicants received through our career page.

About SAIT

SAIT is a global leader in applied education. Named one of Alberta's Top Employers, we offer the chance to work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers.

Building on our 100+ year history, we're looking for innovative, bold and collaborative employees who embrace change and deliver world-class customer experiences. Your future starts now at SAIT.

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