The Opportunity
Concordia University’s Advancement and Alumni Relations Department is poised to implement an ambitious agenda reflecting the University’s vision for growth and innovation. Work has begun on the planning phase of a new campaign.
We are seeking a Principal Director of Development, Faculty of Fine Arts to create and implement a strategic approach to fundraising in the Faculty of Fine Arts which includes major gifts, corporate donations, grant solicitation and in-kind resources. Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Development, with an indirect report to the Dean of the Faculty, the new incumbent will be responsible for planning and executing fund development activities and will direct the cultivation of prospective donors and the solicitation of gifts from alumni, corporations, foundations, friends, faculty and staff.
This position is a renewable five year, full-time contract appointment.
About Concordia University
With the roots of its founding institutions going back more than 160 years, Concordia University was established in 1974 through the merger of Loyola College (1896) and Sir George Williams University (1926). Located in the heart of Montreal and home to over 46,000 students and 7,200 staff, today Concordia University is one of Canada’s most innovative comprehensive urban universities. Over the past decade, Concordia has invested significantly to renew its faculty, improve and expand its infrastructure and create state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, learning and research.
Concordia has 7,400 graduate students enrolled in more than 200 graduate programs and over 6,300 international students from more than 150 countries. Concordia’s research program continues to grow as it fosters multidisciplinary approaches to finding solutions to a broad range of societal challenges.
For more information about Concordia University, please visit www.concordia.ca
Advancement and Alumni Relations at Concordia University
The Department of Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) engages with a global audience of more than 193,000 alumni, including many donors and friends. It is responsible for the fundraising activities and alumni stewardship of the University.
The Concordia University Alumni Association (CUAA) is comprised of the alumni of Concordia University and its founding institutions, Sir George Williams University and Loyola College. Upon graduation, all degree, diploma and certificate holders of Concordia University become members for life. The Alumni Relations unit collaborates with the Concordia University Alumni Association to offer alumni and students a rich and varied selection of benefits and services as well as social, educational and cultural events such as Homecoming, class reunions, networking workshops and seminars. AAR also publishes the monthly Accent e-newsletter and Concordia University Magazine in winter, spring and fall.
After the success of the last comprehensive campaign which raised $165 million, work has begun on the planning phase of a new campaign. The launch of this major institutional campaign will see the AAR unit expand current Alumni and Development programming to grow fundraising performance, increase and sustain volunteer and alumni engagement and build advancement and alumni relations capacity within and beyond the University. AAR supports the University’s external relations strategy to enhance its image, reputation and standing by creating an Advancement culture that cultivates leadership, initiative, effectiveness and community.
The Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University
Unique in Canada, the Faculty of Fine Arts houses four research centers and nine departments that offer an unparalleled range of programs – 60 in total – in the visual, performing, cinematic, design and digital arts. Over 3,200 undergraduate students and 570 graduate students pursue a curriculum that is grounded in hands-on work, technological exploration, scholarly criticism and art therapies.
Committed to integrating new technologies, traditional media and historical fine arts practices, faculty members are artists, scholars and researchers who are active on the international and national stage and equally engaged in their communities. Many important arts distinctions have been earned by the Faculty`s professors as well as its 16,000 alumni worldwide such as Tonys, Pulitzers, Junos, Jutras, Grammys, Sobeys, Prix du Québec and Governor General`s Awards in Visual and Media Arts.
Among the excellent facilities available to students and faculty members is the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Complex, opened in 2005 and home of the university's landmark research center for new media and technologies, Hexagram-Concordia.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Development, with an indirect report to the Dean of the Faculty, the Principal Director of Development will:
- Collaborate with the AVP and the Dean, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to create a fund development plan which increases revenues to support the strategic direction of the institution.
- Develop and manage timelines for various fundraising activities to ensure strategic plans and critical fund raising processes are carried out in a timely manner.
- Monitor and evaluate fundraising activities to ensure that the fundraising goals are being achieved; monitor trends in the community and adapt fundraising strategies as necessary; monitor expenses and analyze budget reports on fund development and recommend changes as necessary.
- Prepare regular reports on progress, budgets, receipts and expenditure related to fundraising and the management of the fund development activities.
- Recruit, interview, and select well-qualified fund development staff with the Associate Vice-President, Development and in consultation with the Dean.
- Implement the fund development plans in accordance with AAR’s priorities.
- Adhere to the highest ethical fundraising principles, AAR and University policies and procedures, as well as CRA requirements.
- Build relationship with community stakeholders to advance the mission and fundraising goals of the organization.
- Identify and develop corporate, community and individual prospects for the faculty’s and the university’s fundraising priorities.
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of donor information and the database: also, oversee the planning and collaborate in the execution of special fundraising events with the Advancement & Alumni Relations Events team as specified in the fund development plan to generate funds for the organization.
Qualifications and Key Competencies
- Proven fundraising experience (minimum 7 years) within a complex institution (preferably an academic or arts & culture environment), with demonstrated success in the areas of major gift fundraising.
- Advanced knowledge of fundraising management.
- Knowledge of special events planning and management as well as knowledge in managing volunteer resources.
- Knowledge of federal and provincial legislation affecting charities and knowledge of the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy’s Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code.
- Proven leadership abilities and the ability to establish and build lasting relationships.
- Excellent spoken and written English skills, as well as functional French communication skills.
- Solid knowledge of fund raising software and proficient computer skills (word processing, databases, spreadsheets, e-mail, and internet).
- A strong work ethic, combining energy, enthusiasm and a highly proactive approach with fundraising metrics and rigorous processes.
- Proven ability to work with a diverse population; a high degree of personal integrity and diplomacy.
- Ability to operate and thrive in a collaborative environment.
- A University degree is required for this position. A certificate in Fundraising Management and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation are assets.
Living in Montréal
Montréal is a truly unique city – safe and clean, vibrant and diverse, with new things to discover around every corner. It is not surprising that The Financial Times put Montréal at the head of its top-ten “City of Dreams” list. With 1.8 million residents (3.6 million in the entire metropolitan region) Montréal is the 16th largest city in North America and the world’s second-largest French-speaking city. While the city’s official language is French, Montreal is easy to navigate for both English and French speakers.
Public education in the province of Quebec is free from kindergarten to Secondary 5 and after that, fees for pre-university college studies are low at the numerous colleges and CEGEPs in the Greater Montréal area.
With 11 institutions of higher learning in English or French, including 4 universities and 2 faculties of medicine, the city offers an unparalleled number of post-secondary education learning opportunities in almost every field of study. To assure accessible and quality health care services for its residents, Montréal counts 33 hospitals and two new super-hospitals. One has just recently opened in the Fall of 2015 and the other is currently under construction with a scheduled opening date in 2016.
Bilingualism is a part of Montréal’s strong cultural tradition added to the inspiring atmosphere of art, music, literature and innovative technology. The city is internationally renowned for its four major festivals: the International Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs Festival, Les Francofolies, and the World Film Festival. All told, there are more than 17 festivals in Montréal each year. In the world of the performing arts, the city is home to many internationally renowned companies like the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the Opéra de Montréal and the Cirque du Soleil.
Montréal is beautiful throughout all four distinct seasons and the city offers residents an ideal environment
with both bustling city life and wide-open natural spaces. Even in the middle of winter, the city is incredibly active with cross-country skiing and tobogganing in Mont-Royal Park, and ice skating in one of the many outdoor rinks. In Montreal’s downtown area, the underground city makes it easy to keep warm while getting around. Montreal also has an extensive and accessible public transportation system with a network of busses and trains as well as Canada’s longest subway system.
Montréal not only boasts superb quality of life – it’s affordable, too. The combination of consumer prices, rents, municipal taxes and personal income tax rates make Montréal one of the least expensive cities on the continent.
Montreal’s leading economic sectors include finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, energy, education, life sciences and information technology. A number of Canada’s corporations are headquartered in Montréal.
For More Information
KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) has been engaged by Concordia University to lead the recruitment of the Principal Director of Development, Faculty of Fine Arts.
Interested candidates are invited to contact Sylvie Battisti, Senior Search Consultant by email at Concordia@KCIphilanthropy.com or by telephone at 438-820-3496.
All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence. Candidates who wish to apply for this position should ensure that a resume and letter of interest are sent to the above email address by January 18, 2016.
Concordia University is committed to Employment Equity and encourages applications from women, aboriginal peoples, visible minorities, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities.
