ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY:

• We are a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact.
• We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Advancement (Beedie School of Business) leads and establishes SFU’s advancement engagement strategies and program growth, focusing on strengthening SFU’s relationships with its philanthropic community. The role supports SFU’s mission by enhancing philanthropic connections, promoting SFU’s brand, and advancing goals in fundraising. Through strategic planning and program development, the role establishes impactful and targeted initiatives that build long-term connections with donors and prospects as advocates and supporters of SFU’s mission. Working closely with internal stakeholders, the role uses data-driven insights to continuously refine engagement efforts and foster an environment where philanthropy contributes meaningfully to SFU’s growth.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Establishes and leads the strategic growth of SFU’s Beedie School of Business program by:

• Directing the strategic development and implementation of engagement goals and initiatives that strengthen connections with SFU’s philanthropic network.
• Building SFU’s philanthropic portfolio with a strong emphasis on British Columbia (BC) alumni, through programs, events, and impactful initiatives.
• Overseeing the signature donor engagement events and managing partnerships with collaborative departments and external networks.
• Enhancing SFU’s brand and reputation while supporting key goals in fundraising.
• Overseeing the strategic planning, staffing, resource allocation, and budget management for advancement programs in the Beedie School of Business.
• Advising Advancement staff, volunteers, and units within the Beedie School of Business, guiding philanthropic engagement efforts across the Beedie School of Business.
• Collaborating with Alumni Relations to align philanthropic relations with university-wide fundraising goals, integrating into key centralized programs such as Gift & Estate Planning and Annual Giving.
• Strengthening SFU’s case for investment in philanthropic programming by communicating the value of philanthropic engagement and encouraging Beedie School of Business support.
• Collaborating with the Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Engagement office, President’s Office, and SFU International to develop annual plans for local and global engagement priorities.
• Overseeing partnerships with SFU’s faculties and departments to create alumni engagement and donor opportunities with the Beedie School of Business.
• Developing advancement engagement strategy for current and future Beedie School of Business campaigns, including but not limited to the wider SFU Campaign.

2. Expands Advancement engagement strategies through targeted initiatives by:

• Establishing a collaborative environment that supports the development and performance of Beedie School of Business Advancement staff, ensuring mission-aligned engagement.
• Conducting assessments and surveys to gauge donors' and prospects' needs for educational events and industry insights, with a goal of increasing donor participation from the current rate.
• Monitoring engagement metrics, measuring return on investment (ROI), and assessing the effectiveness of various initiatives.
• Integrating alumni donor engagement strategies within SFU’s donor prospecting and stewardship programs, identifying alignment opportunities with fundraising priorities
• Building relationships with key donors and alumni leaders in local and global communities who serve as ambassadors and advocates for SFU’s mission.
• Identifying and cultivating relationships with key alumni prospects for engagement opportunities in the Beedie School of Business.
• Designing cultivation and stewardship strategies for donors in partnership with senior university leadership, Advancement, and Donor Relations.
• Leading donor fundraising campaigns and engagement strategies.
• Identifying prospects for advancement opportunities and strengthening donor contributions to philanthropy.
• Strengthening cross-departmental partnerships and developing new ones to integrate Beedie School of Business donor engagement into University-wide initiatives, reinforcing SFU’s brand.
• Establishing and directing high-impact donor engagement goals and strategies to enhance connections within SFU’s global alumni community, while reinforcing the University’s brand and supporting fundraising and recruitment objectives.

3. Oversees and directs risk management and compliance strategies for the Beedie School of Business program:

• Overseeing budget management to support program sustainability and ensuring responsible allocation of Beedie School of Business Advancement resources.
• Exercising signing authority on the SFU Beedie School of Business Advancement budget, ensuring financial transparency and oversight.
• Complying with privacy and anti-spam legislation, as well as university policies and external regulations relevant to donor engagement.
• Complying to FOI/POP legislation and SFU’s Trademark License Agreement and maintaining data practices that meet the requirements of the University Act.
• Implementing compliant engagement strategies, whether on campus, in BC, or internationally, to mitigate reputational risk.

4. Advances SFU’s Advancement relations presence and strategic University Initiatives by:

• Acting as a leader and ambassador on senior-level university committees, representing Beedie School of Business Advancement engagement priorities within SFU’s strategic discussions.
• Providing expertise to Beedie School of Business External Advisory Committee in collaboration with Faculty leadership. Representing SFU Beedie School of Business Advancement among peer institutions and engagement professionals, ensuring that SFU’s programs are competitive and best in class.
• Engaging key stakeholders at SFU events and providing insight into Beedie School of Business Advancement engagement trends, positioning SFU as a leader.

IMPACT OF DECISION MAKING

The Director, Advancement (Beedie School of Business) makes decisions regarding:

• Developing high-level strategic plans, priorities, and policies to advance program growth and align with university goals.
• Contributing as part of the University Advancement team to integrate donor relations within SFU’s broader strategic vision.
• Determining and allocating resources for staffing, volunteer engagement, and performance management to build program sustainability and impact.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND LEVEL OF SUPERVISION

The Director, Advancement (Beedie School of Business) solves problems related to:

• Strategically aligning donor engagement with SFU’s advancement and fundraising objectives to foster long-term program growth.
• Overseeing program budget management and ROI of programming to facilitate sustainable, long-term resource planning.
• Optimizing resource allocation and staffing to support expanding program initiatives and engagement goals.
• Coordinating across departments and external partners to unify fundraising efforts and maintain program cohesion.
• Ensuring compliance with privacy regulations, managing risks, and refining program strategies based on data insights and industry standards.

RELATIONSHIPS

Sets objectives necessary for obtaining feedback and assistance. Partners with a wide circle of contacts and involves them in generating mutually beneficial opportunities and achieving agreeable outcomes. Shares ideas, issues, and opportunities with members of personal network. Seeks referrals from others with relevant expertise and influence. Attends and maintains relationships with relevant formal and informal professional groups and organizations.

Supervisory

Supervises staff by providing guidance and mentorship, ensuring the appropriateness and currency of job responsibilities, initiating recruitment for temporary and continuing staff, hiring staff, providing or directing the provision of training and development, evaluating performance, approving leaves of absence, and responding to grievances. Manages and coaches front-line staff and fosters relationships with managers to handle or escalate donor inquiries and complaints appropriately.

Primary Working Relationships

Liaises often with the Dean’s Office, Executive Director, Advancement, VPAAE, and the teams that support. Liaises heavily within the community, locally and globally and acts as a representative for SFU at various engagement opportunities, as a relationship manager and as a content expert as needed. Takes on the role of acting Executive Director, Advancement, as needed.

Internal Connections

Represents the Advancement on senior-level university committees and works with internal senior administration. Provides expertise and input regarding the engagement of SFU’s Beedie School of Business alumni, supporting the Alumni Council and additional advisory boards across the institution. Builds strong working relationships and fosters collaboration and strategic alignment with units and teams across the university.

External Connections

Represents SFU Advancement as a leader amongst peer institutions and amongst nonprofit and engagement professionals and through professional associations such as the Council for Advancement in Education and Canadian Council for Advancement and Education.

Cultivates and stewards’ connections with individuals and organizations in the SFU alumni community and wider donor community.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, or a relevant field, with ten years of related experience, including experience in a senior leadership role in a multifaceted fundraising program, involving strategic planning, program management, marketing and communications, events, fundraising, and relationship management, as well as experience in non- profit societies and boards, working with senior level volunteers; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Excellent entrepreneurial orientation with ability to set and accomplish goals & establish priorities with minimal direction.
• Excellent understanding and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion at SFU.
• Excellent strategic planning, program development and evaluation skills.
• Excellent budget management and financial administration skills with the ability to generate revenue.
• Excellent facilitation, mediation and de-escalation skills.
• Excellent communication (oral, written and presentation) and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, analytical reasoning and negotiation skills.
• Excellent human resource management, coaching, team leadership and supervisory skills.
• Excellent organizational structure planning, human resource management, coaching, team leadership & supervisory skills.
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation in program development.
• Ability to engage, inspire, and mobilize internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with others & to build and grow mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects & volunteers for fundraising, service, or engagement activities.
• Ability to manage group processes, build & lead teams, and assist staff & volunteers in the development of strategies.
• Ability to develop and maintain personal connections with alumni, donors, and external partners.
• Strong analytical abilities combined with the capacity to implement change effectively.
• Excellent entrepreneurial orientation with ability to set and accomplish goals & establish priorities with minimal direction.
• Excellent understanding and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion at SFU.
• Excellent strategic planning, program development and evaluation skills.
• Excellent budget management and financial administration skills with the ability to generate revenue.
• Excellent facilitation, mediation and de-escalation skills.
• Excellent communication (oral, written and presentation) and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, analytical reasoning and negotiation skills.
• Excellent human resource management, coaching, team leadership and supervisory skills.
• Excellent organizational structure planning, human resource management, coaching, team leadership & supervisory skills.
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation in program development.
• Ability to engage, inspire, and mobilize internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with others & to build and grow mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects & volunteers for fundraising, service, or engagement activities.
• Ability to manage group processes, build & lead teams, and assist staff & volunteers in the development of strategies.
• Ability to develop and maintain personal connections with alumni, donors, and external partners.
• Strong analytical abilities combined with the capacity to implement change effectively. 

ADDITIONAL CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION:

Flexibility in work hours is essential, including early morning, evening and weekend work as well as regular travel within British Columbia, and occasionally within Canada and abroad. 

BENEFITS:

• Salary range: $116,061 to $138,495
• Position Type: Full-time, Hybrid role, based out of the Vancouver campus. Travel as required to other campuses..
• Compensation: Competitive benefits package

Application deadline: We are accepting rolling applications until the position is filled.

Check the status of the search process here