Vice-president, External Relations

NAIT is a leading polytechnic serving more than 34,000 students and has been a major contributor to industry and the economy within Alberta for the past 60 years.

How to Apply:

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume (PDF or Word document only) to Ardyce Kouri or Luke Shin at , indicating the job title in the subject line of the email.

Leaders International values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our operations. We invite candidates to contact us directly with any accommodation requests.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice-President, External Relations and Chief Development Officer is responsible for leading and overseeing NAIT's fundraising and development efforts, as well as alumni engagement, marketing, and communications.

Planning for NAIT's Advanced Skills Centre (ASC) is underway thanks to an investment of $43 million from the Government of Alberta. This state-of-the-art Centre on NAIT's Main Campus will provide the diverse and workforce-ready graduates Alberta and industry require for the future. The Centre will expand NAIT's capacity to deliver trades and technology programming in alignment with the future needs of Alberta's economy. Our vision for the ASC is to deliver the most comprehensive, leading-edge apprenticeship, and technology-based education. A primary focus of this role is assisting NAIT in its fundraising and development activities related to this impactful initiative.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning: The VP develops and implements strategic plans aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. They identify priorities, set targets, and establish strategies to achieve goals effectively. They develop marketing and communications strategies to continue to grow domestic and international enrolment.
• Fundraising and Revenue Generation: The VP leads fundraising initiatives across multiple channels, including major gifts, individual donors, corporate sponsorships, grants, special events, and planned giving. They cultivate relationships with donors, prospects, and funding partners to secure financial support for the institution.
• Donor Relations and Stewardship: The VP builds and maintains relationships with donors, stakeholders, and funding partners to ensure a positive donor experience and foster long-term engagement and support. They develop stewardship strategies to recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate donors' contributions effectively.
• Board Engagement: The VP collaborates with the Board of Governors, providing guidance, support, and resources to engage Board members in fundraising activities. They work closely with Board committees, leveraging their networks and expertise to advance fundraising goals
• Team Leadership: The VP oversees the development, communications, marketing, and special events teams providing leadership, mentorship, and support. They set performance expectations, establish metrics for success, and provide ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance team effectiveness.
• Strategic Partnerships: The VP identifies and cultivates strategic partnerships with other organizations, institutions, and community stakeholders to expand fundraising opportunities and advance the institution's vision and impact.
• Financial Management: The VP collaborates with finance and administrative teams to ensure effective financial management of activities, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. They monitor performance, analyze revenue trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimize strategies.
• Public Relations and Marketing: The VP oversees the marketing and communications teams to develop messaging, materials, campaigns, crisis communications and issues management to promote NAIT as the world-leading polytechnic of choice

The Person:

• As the ideal candidate, you bring significant leadership experience in fund development and an ability to lead NAIT's alumni relations, fundraising, events, marketing, and communications divisions. You have a track record of success building and maintaining networks of key contacts.
• The ideal candidate will have relevant academic preparation. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is considered a strong asset. The individual may have experience leading at the executive level and will have a track record of success leading large and diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
• An experienced leader, you have mentored and developed a diverse team of professionals in the accomplishment of strategic goals and objectives. You are passionate, energetic, and productive, as well as creative in order to develop new ideas in fundraising, marketing and communications, government and media relations, and alumni relations.
• The VP oversees a division of approximately 80 team members and an operating budget of $15 million. The division includes advancement, marketing, communications, and a special events team.

Competencies:

• Strategic Vision and Planning: The VP must have a clear and forward-thinking vision for NAIT's growth, especially the ASC. This involves setting strategic goals, identifying opportunities for expansion, and developing comprehensive development plans that align with the organization's vision and long-term objectives.
• Fundraising Expertise: Proficiency in various fundraising techniques is essential. This includes expertise in major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and capital campaigns. The VP should excel at identifying potential donors, cultivating relationships, and securing substantial contributions.
• Relationship Building and Networking: Building and maintaining robust relationships with key stakeholders such as Board members, donors, volunteers, students, and community leaders is critical. The VP must be an effective networker and communicator, capable of fostering trust and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Leadership and Team Management: The VP needs to be a strong leader who can inspire and manage teams effectively. This involves providing clear direction, support, and motivation, as well as delegating tasks, mentoring staff, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. They must also work collaboratively with the executive team.
• Marketing and Communications Skills: Effective marketing and communication strategies are vital for raising the organization's profile and engaging stakeholders. The VP should have strong skills in crafting compelling messages, utilizing digital and traditional media.

About NAIT

We are proud to have been named one of Alberta's Top Employers for 13 consecutive years. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT's culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability.

People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. We offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, we offer paid time off between Christmas and New Year's.

NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off-site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada.

Like Leaders International, NAIT is committed to fostering an environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations, please connect with us at

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