Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an Associate Vice-President & Campaign Director to lead Lakehead University’s overall External Relations Philanthropy, Major and Legacy Gifts, and Donor Relations teams. Through a collaborative general management approach, the AVP role will ensure External Relations’ resources and people are aligned and working in unison to reach annual and long-range strategic and campaign Philanthropic goals. These include revenue generation, legacy giving, prospect management, donor events and stewardship objectives.

The AVP will lead, coach, and mentor a team of fundraising professionals and help raise their sights to increase strategic engagement, proposal submissions and meet annual and campaign fundraising goals. While doing so, the AVP will promote an inclusive, team environment grounded in the principles of equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression. The AVP will collaborate closely with the Alumni & Annual Giving Director, the Philanthropy Director, Government Relations Director and the Marketing, Branding & Web Development Director to ensure the External Relations Priorities are executed, evaluated and achieved.

This is an exciting time to join Lakehead University and guide the execution of our first major institutional campaign. Serving as the Campaign Director, the AVP will be responsible for leading the operations of the Institutional campaign, including Campaign planning, internal consultations, reporting, and the development and tracking of all campaign-related revenue and activity goals. The Associate Vice-President will also co-lead the Lakehead Georgian joint fundraising partnership, in close collaboration with colleagues at Georgian College.

As an ambassador for Lakehead University, the Associate Vice-President is an integral member of the External Relations Team and is a member of the External Relations Senior Leadership Team. The Associate Vice-President will embrace and proudly represent Lakehead University and assist with the implementation of the GTA Strategy. The AVP will also work closely with the Vice President, External Relations and the Principal, Lakehead Orillia to develop and implement an Orillia External Relations Philanthropy strategy and campaign planning and implementation.

The new Associate Vice-President would ideally be based in either Thunder Bay or in the Greater Toronto / Golden Horseshoe area, with acknowledgment that regular travel to the Thunder Bay and Orillia campus locations, and to donor meetings in the GTA and throughout Ontario, will be required.

ABOUT LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. We have over 66,000 alumni in Canada and around the world.

Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities.

Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education’s 2021 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1115 universities from around the world in THE’s 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). For five consecutive years, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate research universities.

We are the university of choice for First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners who account for approximately 11% of the total student population at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses – and this vibrant population is growing.

Dynamic, modern, and highly learner-centred, we acknowledge all our students as valued leaders of tomorrow, whose education and success are most paramount to our institution. Both campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia promise the total university experience: a blend of academic excellence and opportunity with a rich variety of social and recreational activities. We also promise excellence in research; Lakehead is the proud host of eleven Canada Research Chairs and revolutionary facilities such as our world-renowned Paleo-DNA Laboratory and our Biorefining Research Institute.

2018-2023 Strategic Plan

Lakehead University’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan is built around five interrelated and interconnected strategic themes that were created based on widespread collaboration and input from Lakehead’s communities. These themes include: academic excellence, social responsibility, local and global partnerships, entrepreneurship and innovation, and capacity development. Each of these themes will help Lakehead University achieve its vision.

• Academic Excellence: Lakehead University will stimulate a lifelong quest for knowledge through unique, high quality, transformational undergraduate and graduate teaching, learning, and research experiences that encourage critical thinking and position students for success beyond the University.

• Social Responsibility: Lakehead University is committed to social justice and will make a significant contribution to our communities and society as a whole through our programs, research, and the wide range of activities undertaken by our faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

• Local and Global Partnerships: Lakehead University will develop informed education, research, and service strategies and opportunities through connections with local and global partners and relationships with Indigenous partners.

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Lakehead University will be a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County in support of culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable social and economic objectives.

• Capacity Development: Lakehead University will be recognized as a high performing, efficient, and innovative academic environment that supports world-class scholarly activity.

Campus Locations

Lakehead Thunder Bay is located on the traditional lands of the Fort William First Nation, Signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850.

Nestled under the shadow of the stoic Sleeping Giant, in the heart of the city, our Thunder Bay campus is among the most picturesque in the nation. Many of the University’s buildings are grouped around Lake Tamblyn and our residence complexes hug the banks of the McIntyre River.

Fieldwork and hands-on learning are integral to a high number of our programs, taking advantage of the vibrant, natural laboratories right in our backyard. Our northern landscape also presents ample opportunity for world-class outdoor sports and activities. Students here can opt to take a ski break or hiking trip between study sessions and maintain an ideal work-play balance with ease. Over 7,500 students call the Thunder Bay Campus home.

Facilities belonging to a wide array of professional options are located on the Thunder Bay Campus including nursing, kinesiology, forestry, business, engineering, education, social work, law, and medicine.

Lakehead Orillia is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. The Anishinaabeg include the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy.

In 2016, Lakehead University celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Orillia Campus, which opened in September 2006 at Heritage Place in downtown Orillia. We now have over 1,700 students studying at the Orillia Campus.

Lakehead Orillia offers a unique interdisciplinary studies option, combining the arts and sciences, as well as programs in business, education and social work.

In 2012, Lakehead University and Georgian College announced a new partnership agreement to offer the students of Orillia and Simcoe County post-secondary joint degree diploma opportunities – packing a one-two punch with future employers. The partnership is growing and delivers four unique integrated degrees.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EXTERNAL RELATIONS AT LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY

The External Relations Team works side-by-side with Lakehead Alumni, donors, students, communities, faculty, staff and government to ensure that Lakehead delivers an outstanding student experience that will help our graduates transform the world through their exceptional and unconventional accomplishments.

With staff in Thunder Bay, Orillia, and Toronto, the External Relations team continuously strives to meet the needs of our Northwestern and Simcoe County communities while also supporting Lakehead’s reach with elected officials, professional organizations, alumni, donors, corporations, and prospective students domestic and international recruitment and provides office space for visiting staff, faculty and alumni.

Lakehead is currently in the planning phase of a multi-year, institutional campaign in support of the universities most important strategic priorities. The Campaign promises to animate the strategic plan and its focus on academic excellence, social responsibility, local and global partnerships, entrepreneurship and innovation, and capacity development. We are building a new kind of university. The new AVP will play a significant role in Campaign operations and ongoing planning.

The External Relations Team is responsible for five strategic areas of importance:

• Philanthropy: Builds relationships with a diverse group of donors who support Lakehead through the Annual Fund, Legacy Gifts and Major Gifts. The Philanthropy Department received $2.1 million in 2020/2021. Eighty percent of these donors were returning donors with 59% of Alumni donating to the University.
• Alumni and Annual Giving: Works in partnership with the Alumni Association to create and deliver programs, services and communications to engage over 66,000 Lakehead alumni around the world, encouraging life-long relationships between them and Lakehead University. We also act as an engagement and outreach resource for students, staff and faculty, and welcome the opportunity to consult about newsletters, reunions, gatherings and fundraising projects. Our office also coordinates the Lakehead Annual Fund, which includes payroll deduction and monthly giving.
• Communications, Marketing, and Web Development: Provides strategic and creative leadership promoting Lakehead University’s brand and unique position in the marketplace, working to advance Lakehead’s image and reputation with key audiences.
• University and Donor Events: External Relations supports, develops, and/or delivers over 50 events yearly. The planned events promote Lakehead University to internal and external stakeholders, and range from private gatherings such as donor events, to very large ceremonies and celebrations such as convocation and the annual Chancellor’s Dinner. The Office of Donor Events manages and support many events for External Relations, and for the Lakehead University Board of Governors, President’s Office and various other University departments on both campuses, as well as in the GTA and Toronto area.

• Community Zone: The central point for cultivating and accessing the breadth of programming and services offered by Lakehead University in support of Community Learning, the Community Zone provides an integrative function for the essential, cross-departmental, community focused programs and activities found on both campuses and online. Its goal is to provide accessible paths to academic, professional, and lifelong learning opportunities that support our local, regional, national, and global learners.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Campaign Operations (50%)

• Responsible for the timely and successful execution of Lakehead’s first institutional philanthropic campaign, including tactical and operational implementation and strategy consultation.
• In conjunction with the Vice-President External Relations, identify, recruit and train key leadership volunteers to support the campaign volunteer structures.
• Establish a systemic, strategic approach to prospect identification and donor pipeline development and management by expanding and diversifying a network of prospective donors and partners.
• Develop and implement appropriate accountability measurements for major and legacy giving activities and staff, putting in place rigorous systems, routines, procedures and behaviors to ensure success and growth in our major and legacy giving activities.
• In partnership with the Director, Philanthropy, determine optimal management and assignment strategies for each donor and prospect.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with a portfolio of prospective donors, with accountability for personal revenue and activity goals.
• Collaborate with the Marketing, Communications and Web Development staff to ensure consistent messaging and to optimize the use of communications vehicles to promote campaign funding priorities and to celebrate successes.
• Responsible for leading the development and implementation of the annual External Relations Strategic Priorities.
• Build understanding and support for Lakehead brand, mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Contribute to and participate in the planning of Lakehead’s first institutional philanthropic campaign and serve as the “Campaign Director” responsible for tactical implementation.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative colleagues, and with the Philanthropy staff, to identify and develop funding opportunities and priorities for Lakehead.
• Assist with campaign case development in partnership with the Vice-President, External Relations.
• Establish a systemic and strategic approach to prospect identification and donor pipeline development by expanding and diversifying a network of prospective donors and partners.
• Develop and implement appropriate accountability measurements for major and legacy giving activities and staff, putting in place rigorous systems, routines, procedures and behaviors to ensure success and growth in our major and legacy giving activities.
• In partnership with the Philanthropy staff, determine optimal management and assignment strategies for each donor and prospect.
• In partnership with the VP External Relations, identify new volunteers as needed and provide strategic support to the Campaign Cabinet.
• Collaborate with the Web Marketing and Branding staff to ensure consistent messaging and optimization of communications vehicles to promote funding priorities and to celebrate successes.
• Implement the annual External Relations Strategic Priorities.
• Build understanding and support for Lakehead brand, mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Direct and support Communications staff in providing communications and marketing services and support to other departments of the University.

Leadership and Planning (20%)

• Lead people from a well-defined set of core values and sense of purpose.
• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and encouragement to a staff of fundraising professionals, to raise sights and support them in reaching financial goals and to offer an exceptional donor centric experience for donors, prospective donors, fundraising volunteers and partners.
• Oversee the overall management of prospect research, and major gift and legacy prospects through qualification, assignment, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• In partnership with the Vice-President, provide guidance, training, and support to academic, administrative colleagues and volunteers who serve as partners in our fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative colleagues, and the Philanthropy team, to identify and develop funding opportunities and priorities.
• Develop and implement accountability measurements for major and planned giving activities and staff, putting in place rigorous systems, routines, procedures and behaviors to ensure success and growth in our major and planned giving activities.
• Ensure compliance by the Major and Legacy Giving team with all regulations, policy and ethical standards that pertain to fundraising.

Donor Relations & Stewardship (20%)

• Responsible overall for the Donor Relations and Stewardship activities’ alignment with the campaign’s donor relation strategies, ensuring a high level of professionalism and donor engagement.
• Develop strategies to support strong and positive donor relations, including recognition and stewardship initiatives, donor appreciation and stewardship of key donors.
• Work closely with the Principal, Lakehead Orillia to build major gift donor relationships within Simcoe County.
• Support and partner with the Alumni Relations team to ensure an integrated approach to the engagement of over 65,000 alumni.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the positive reputation of External Relations by serving as an internal ambassador in the Lakehead community, and by representing Lakehead enthusiastically and professionally in the external community.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with a portfolio of prospective donors, with accountability for personal revenue and activity goals.
• Supervise donor relations, stewardship, and communications activities with prospects and donors assigned to the Major and Legacy Gift staff, ensuring a high level of professionalism and donor engagement.
• Work closely with the Principal, Lakehead Orillia to build major gift donor relationships within Simcoe County.
• Support and partner with the Alumni Relations team to ensure an integrated approach to the engagement of over 66,000 alumni.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the positive reputation of External Relations by serving as an internal ambassador in the Lakehead community, and by representing Lakehead enthusiastically and professionally in the external community.

Philanthropy Budget Management (10%)

• Maintain accountability for operating and revenue budgets as identified.
• Establish and monitor both team and individual goals. Report results to a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Responsible for reporting Campaign results on a regular basis.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Substantial and progressive experience in leadership and management, with revenue generation responsibilities in a large and multi-layered complex organization.
• Strong strategic, business and fundraising planning, implementation and management skills, including a track record of strong operational experience, including budgeting, forecasting and fundraising operations.
• Demonstrated track record of achievement, most particularly related to institutional campaigns and securing major, or transformational gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Proven track record soliciting and confirming major and legacy gifts.
• Experience working with, supporting and motivating senior volunteers (including campaign cabinets) and board members.
• Experience working with university leadership, or equivalent, to identify and manage donor pipelines.
• Solid leadership experience and the ability to lead by example, mentoring, building the skills and competencies of others, and gaining respect and credibility at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability as a role model to staff and others, employing the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Knowledge of and experience with the nature and dimensions of philanthropy, ethics, motivations for giving and volunteering.
• Knowledge of standard fundraising techniques and best practices through all aspects of the donor engagement cycle.
• Exceptional communication skills (written and oral), presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational and creative problem-solving skills.
• A Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in a related field preferred.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

• Adaptable, respectful and collaborative with an ability to accept diverse world views, values, politics and lifestyles; willingness and ability to adjust to changing conditions or priorities.
• Ability to develop relationships of trust and respect with faculty, volunteers, donors, colleagues, and community members; facilitates effective working relationships between other organizations, University faculties and staff and External Relations staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to respond with urgency to the needs and requests of others, internally and externally and ensure a high degree of responsiveness to all donors without regard to their giving level.
• Takes the initiative to identify and act on problems and lead by example. Consistently make decisions that resolve problems.
• Deals constructively with conflict and focuses on the situation, issue or behavior, and not on the person, by diffusing situations before conflicts arise, resolving conflicts directly and actively promoting and gaining cooperation from others.
• Exercises diplomacy, good judgement and professionalism.
• Exhibits the highest standards of personal responsibility and accountability as an ambassador and champion of the University.
• Ensures discretion, tact and confidentiality; maintains confidentiality of all information pertaining to the operations of the University, and associated organizations and their respective staff members, through correspondence and/or discussions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Lakehead University. For more information about this new role, please contact Tara George, Partner / Lead, KCI Search + at Lakehead@kcitalent.com.

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Interested candidates should send resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by September 8, 2021.

To view the full Executive Brief, please visit:  www.kcitalent.com

Salary Range: $120,000-$150,000

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons and persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identify or gender expression.

Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact Tara George with any enquiries or for assistance.