Vice President, Advancement and External Relations

Memorial acknowledges that the lands on which its campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and they acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.

As one of the largest postsecondary institutions in Atlantic Canada, Memorial University (Memorial) aims to be one of the most distinguished public universities in Canada and internationally. Memorial enjoys national and global impact, while fulfilling its social mandate to provide access to university education for the people of the province, and to contribute to the social, cultural, scientific and economic development of Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond. As Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, it has a special obligation to the people of the province and plays an unparalleled role in the continuing development of the region. Memorial has more than 19,000 students spread across five campuses (two campuses located in St. John’s, including the Fisheries and Marine Institute, as well as campuses in Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay (Labrador) and Harlow (England)), and a global network of over 90,000 accomplished alumni. As a respected employer with more than 3,700 faculty and staff, Memorial provides an environment that fosters innovation, creativity, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This inaugural Vice-President, Advancement and External Relations (Vice-President) role is an exciting opportunity to join Memorial’s senior administrative team. Reporting to the President, the Vice-President is a key member of the leadership team determined to inspire a new model for the post-secondary sector across the country and position Memorial as a national and international leader in entrepreneurial and innovative solutions in higher education. Through this newly created role, the Vice-President leads fundraising and advancement initiatives and formulates and undertakes strategies and initiatives that advance and enhance Memorial’s reputation and relationship with the public and its stakeholders. The portfolio will build understanding through storytelling, advocacy, community connections, special events and initiatives, work with colleagues in academic faculties and administrative units, and will serve as an ambassador to key stakeholder groups such as donors, alumni, deans, community members, Indigenous groups, faculty, staff, and students across Memorial’s campuses. With ongoing and collaborative consultation, the Vice-President leads a portfolio charged with advancing and enhancing the relationships, reputation, and story of Memorial through relationship building, strategy, and value-added service. The significant overlap among key stakeholder groups demands a fully integrated external relations strategy that moves beyond communication to genuine engagement, helping stakeholders and communities to understand how Memorial is linked with their lives, culture and society.

The Vice-President holds an advanced degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience with a strong record of senior leadership experience and management effectiveness in a complex administrative environment with multiple and diverse stakeholder groups. Bringing a demonstrated background including significant accomplishments in communications, media relations, marketing, building Indigenous relationships, advancement, and alumni relations, you have the ability to engage people, inside and outside of the university, working collaboratively, effectively and successfully to advance Memorial. With broad advancement experience and a strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape across the country and around the globe, you’ve demonstrated success in major and transformational gifts and in conceptualizing, planning, and implementing significant integrated fundraising campaigns. A superb communicator, you communicate and present in a way that builds strategic and meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. Your track record of collaborative leadership, people management, delegation, and coaching/mentoring skills and confidence leading within a cohesive, collaborative, consensus driven organization with decentralized decision making is evident. Always looking forward with an innovative mindset, you are astute at solving problems, and consistently demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

If you’re interested in this new and exciting opportunity with Memorial, please contact Debra Clinton at dclinton@kbrs.ca or Beverley Evans at bevans@kbrs.ca; or by calling 1-866-822-6022, or submit your application online at: www.kbrs.ca/Career/14139

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.  Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities/racialized people; and people with disabilities.

Memorial University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.