Centre Director, Centre for Cities & Communities

at  University of Alberta

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Master’s Degree preferred.
• 5-10 years relevant experience including project management and research.
• Experience managing relationships.Knowledge of the Canadian city building related industries including the real estate sector and retailing.
• The ability to conceive of, design and execute often with collaboration small and large scale events that range from lunches with partners to the Retail Thought Leadership Conference and the City Building at the U of A Conference.
• The ability to multi-task and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Skilled in office productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office).
• Strong communication skills, including the use of new and electronic media (ranging from email distribution programs and website design to social media and event management systems).Ability to use customer relationship management to keep in contact with stakeholders.
• Ability to build partnerships between the school and organizations in the retail industry.
  At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

• Responsible for developing and implementing business and strategic plans to ensure overall programming and the Centre’s goals and targets are met.
• Develops business, marketing and communication plans to increase public awareness and to promote the Centre’s programs, events and initiatives to attract and retain industry partners and sponsors.Responsible for the development of program budgets, revenue forecasts and monitoring budgets during program year to ensure efficiencies and maintenance of minimum margin targets.
• Negotiates contracts for services, approves invoices and maintains financial records for all Centre-related activity.Responsible for ensuring new programs are launched that meet the needs of our partners and to develop new opportunities for new custom programs.
• Leads research activities to gather information regarding industry trends to ensure the Centre is on the leading edge of new program development.
• Manages the guest speakers’ series at undergraduate and MBA levels and arranges speakers and topics for short term programs/seminars e.g. seminar on opening a franchise.
• Collaborates and oversees student organizations involved in co-sponsoring events with the CCC, the Real Estate Program and the School of Retailing (e.g., University of Alberta Real Estate Club – UARC). Responsible for relationship management and communications between the Centre and industry partners.
• Develops Advisory Committee Terms of Reference to understand the strategic goals and outcomes of Advisory Committees.
• Manages the client contact database.Develops and promotes links between the Centre, faculty, students and the local and national city building community (e.g., represents the Centre through participation/presentation at conferences and networking events, research collaborations etc.).
• Works with Business Career Services to place University of Alberta graduates and co-op students into jobs in the retail sector.
• Develops strategies for creating and maintaining high levels of student engagement in the Centre, including working closely with student groups and clubs throughout the year to maximize attendance at events and interaction with industry partners.
• Prospects new clients, and manages relationships with existing clients for student consulting projects in the retail sector.
• Recruits, trains and supervises student consultants.