About McMaster:
At McMaster University, we are driven by a shared purpose: advancing human and societal health and wellbeing. Through world-class research, transformative education, and meaningful community impact, we are addressing some of the world's most complex challenges and creating positive change locally and globally.
Consistently ranked among Canada's top universities and recognized internationally for research excellence, innovation, and student success, McMaster is home to more than 37,000 students, over 200,000 alumni worldwide, and a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, learners, and partners. From pioneering discoveries in health sciences and engineering to advancing social innovation and community wellbeing, McMaster's impact extends far beyond our campus.
As we look toward the future, philanthropy will play an increasingly important role in enabling the University's aspirations. Through strategic partnerships with donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, and community leaders, McMaster is creating opportunities to accelerate discovery, enhance student experiences, support breakthrough research, and strengthen its impact on society.
About University Advancement:
University Advancement serves as the bridge between McMaster's mission and the philanthropic community that helps bring that mission to life. Through fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, advancement services, and strategic partnerships, University Advancement fosters meaningful relationships that create lasting impact for the University and the communities it serves.
Guided by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation, University Advancement is building a culture of philanthropy that supports McMaster's strategic priorities and future ambitions. The division is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity as it continues to strengthen fundraising capacity, deepen donor engagement, and position the University for future campaign success.
About the role:
The Manager, Advancement is the leader of advancement engagement and events for the University and its Faculties and/or units. The Manager, Advancement plays a collaborative role in strategic development of events, as well as leading the operational implementation in support of their objectives and the overall institutional mission.
The Manager, Advancement is a leader in advancement priorities designed to build and maintain positive relationships with key University funders, influencers, alumni, government officials and friends. The Manager, Advancement, in collaboration with their Director and other senior University leaders as required, and is accountable for supporting the strategic planning, and leading the organizing and executing of a variety of engagement priorities and events in support of the University and University Advancement strategic goals, to build and enhance relationships, reputation and resources.
The Manager, Advancement works in collaboration with their Director and University leaders (e.g. President, Vice-Presidents, Deans, etc.) to develop a consistent philosophy and practices around advancement priorities and events of significant size and scope (e.g. recognition, stewardship, alumni, etc.) across the University that are funder-stakeholder centered and informed by best practice, ensure strategic and coordinated engagement of the President, Chancellor and Vice-President, University Advancement and act as a community of practice for others doing similar advancement work across the University.
The Manager, Advancement provides human resources leadership and oversight to a team of continuing and interim employees. The Manager, Advancement creates and maintains positive, productive relationships and builds and supports a vibrant, diverse and high-performance team of professionals within the Faculty or unit who deliver on the strategic plans for the academic or administrative office or unit(s) and University Advancement’s strategic plans through a variety of institutional programs.
The Manager, Advancement works in collaboration with their Director and University Advancement senior leaders to provide consultation and advice to University senior leaders and others leading advancement engagement priorities and events within the academy to further advancement priorities across the University. The Manager, Advancement will be proactive in working with University leaders to assess their needs and to develop strategies to for the successful execution, evaluation and follow up on all University-wide advancement priorities and events of significant size and scope. These initiatives will support faculty-led priorities and events that engage, cultivate or steward key stakeholders to the University. The Manager, Advancement may also lead key engagement priorities and events for areas of the University where a growth strategy is required or where limited resources and expertise’s are available. The Manager, Advancement will assess the University’s needs and work with their Director to prioritize their activities using strong project management principles.
The Manager, Advancement will provide leadership support for the development and implementation of a portfolio of alumni, funders, influencer, government and community engagement priorities and events; provide effective and consistent advice to campus partners; address process and policy changes; resource planning and ensure key performance indicators are met while ensuring strong working relationships with internal and external University partners (i.e. Hospitality Services, external vendors, etc.).
