Director, Development and Alumni Relations

at  Red Deer Polytechnic

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Development & Alumni Relations is a member of Red Deer Polytechnic’s (RDP) Leadership Team and is focused on building and leveraging relationships, strategic partnerships, and generating fund development and investment revenues that support the Polytechnic’s 2030 Strategic Plan: Productivity & Social Impact.
Reporting to the Vice President, Development & Partnerships, the Director is responsible for leading a team that proactively engages the Polytechnic’s external stakeholder community and aligns their values and business interests with RDP’s educational programs and applied research initiatives with the goal of elevating fundraising and investment opportunities. The Director develops and implements strategies to secure philanthropic and sponsorship revenues by coordinating with various departments throughout the Polytechnic to identify funding priorities, organizing engagement events, and leveraging alumni networks and fostering a culture of giving and investment.
The Director will provide strategic leadership and management of all fund development initiatives with a primary focus on individual major gifts as well as corporate and foundation partnership opportunities. This includes being hands-on in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and volunteers and partners (individuals, foundations, corporations, and government) to enable the Polytechnic to enhance its partnerships and deliver transformational value for students, businesses and communities we serve (see Strategic Driver #6).

The Director, Development & Alumni Relations will lead a team of professionals in the following areas:

• Fund Development (Leadership & Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Special Events and Annual Fund)
• Advancement Services and Stewardship
• Alumni Relations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An appropriate combination of relevant education and experience is required with a strong preference for graduate credentials.
• Professional certification or designation within the field of expertise or relevant professional development (i.e. CFRE, CFP, PFP would be beneficial).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant experience in a leadership position, preferably in fund development, business development, and/or sales.
• Demonstrated experience and a solid track record of success in generating revenues, ideally through various advancement and fund development initiatives.
• A strategic thinker with a background and accomplishments in brand management and reputation awareness.
• A coach that cares about people and their wellness. One that creates positive, high performing environments with strong, cohesive team of professionals focused on common goals and objectives.
• A team player with excellent interpersonal skills, high energy, entrepreneurial thinking, optimism, and enthusiasm for polytechnic education and what it offers learners and our external partners.
• A solid understanding of the post-secondary sector and the Alberta fundraising landscape would be desirable.
• Proven ability to achieve results by leading a team to achieve revenue targets.
• Experience working collaboratively and strategically with senior executives in a large complex organization.
• Proven ability to cultivate strong relationships and build a network of influence.
• Proven experience initiating and effectively leading change.

• Develop, implement, and assess fundraising plans and targets on a regular basis to ensure achievement of revenue objectives (donation, investment & sponsorship) derived from leadership and major gifts, corporate, foundations, and the community.
• Manage RDP’s customized pipeline management system within the Raiser’s Edge Prospect Module to track donor asks, cultivation activity, stewardship commitments, prospect rating, revenue projection, financial reporting, etc.
• Provide strategic leadership that will contribute to increased engagement with the Polytechnic’s 80,000 alumni. Creating and implementing programming that celebrates their achievements and strengthen their connection with the Polytechnic – as volunteers, returning students, employees, advocates, donors and mentors.
• Act as an ambassador to ensure that the organization’s public image and reputation strengthens its ability to generate the revenue and investment needed to successfully achieve the Polytechnic’s 2030 Strategic Plan: Productivity & Social Impact.
• Ensure operational plans are integrated and contributes effectively to the realization of RDP’s strategic plan, understanding risk management, integrated planning, data analytics, and institutional measures and targets.
• Build, develop, and lead a strong team of professionals by creating a culture of excellence and innovation, and implementing effective fund development and stakeholder engagement practices.
• Provides leadership in the strategic allocation of resources, creation of financially viable partnerships, promotion of revenue generating programs/initiatives and the effective pursuit of funding for new programs/initiatives impacting the financial and academic success of RDP.