JOBS AT DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

Dalhousie University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We are all Treaty people.

Founded in 1818, Dalhousie is located in the Province of Nova Scotia (in the territory of Mi’kma’ki) with 21,000 students on four campuses in Halifax and Truro, and satellite locations in Yarmouth and Saint John, New Brunswick. Nova Scotia is growing rapidly, and Halifax itself is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities with a booming technology community and a diverse economy fueled by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. As one of Nova Scotia’s largest employers, and an institution with a unique student composition that is uniquely national and international in character, with 60 per cent of students coming from outside Nova Scotia and more than 20 per cent international, Dalhousie has a vital role to play in the life and growth of the province and the country.

Dalhousie is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, distinguished by an exceptional academic and campus experience from year one. Their 13 academic Faculties expand understanding through teaching excellence and a drive for discovery that results in more than $214 million in research funding annually. Their groundbreaking research is rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has earned Dalhousie a reputation as a national powerhouse and a global player. As they strengthen their important role in service to the province and communities, their strategic plan, Third Century Promise — a product of an unprecedented level of engagement and consultation — has Dalhousie poised to grow their enduring positive impact on the world.

The Office of Advancement’s mission is to deepen the university’s affinity with its alumni, friends, and community through compelling communication and proactive engagement, motivating them to invest in Dalhousie’s vision of the future. It is an exciting time for Dalhousie as it is set to launch the largest fundraising campaign in Atlantic Canadian history in the Spring of 2024. To lead the team’s broad Advancement agenda, including the campaign, Dalhousie is seeking an accomplished leader as their next Vice-President, Advancement.

Reporting directly to the President and Vice-Chancellor and serving as a member of Dalhousie’s senior leadership team, the Vice-President, Advancement provides strategic direction and leadership for the advancement portfolio, which comprises a growing team of more than 105 dedicated staff working in Alumni & External Engagement, Advancement Operations, Development, and the Vice-President’s Office/Administration. As a principal ambassador for the university, the Vice-President is responsible for the university’s robust alumni engagement program and works to support and strengthen relations with a worldwide community of more than 155,000 alumni. Additionally, the Vice-President is accountable for developing and maintaining effective partnerships of benefit to the university and implementing a sustained fundraising program driven by the university’s strategic plan and aligned with academic plans and priorities. The Vice-President will lead revenue generation through philanthropy, particularly through transformative gifts. As the leader of a high-performing team, the Vice-President must encourage collaboration, development, and growth, empowering and celebrating team members to succeed in achieving their goals. As a senior leader at Dalhousie the Vice-President will embody the university’s values, by championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and fostering a safe, healthy, and productive working culture amongst the team.

As the ideal candidate, you are a fundraising expert who has held progressively senior leadership roles within complex multi-stakeholder environments. Your educational background includes a university degree, and you are known for taking organizations to new levels and leading change and innovation. You have experience with comprehensive campaigns, annual campaigns, major gifts, principal giving, and legacy giving and a demonstrated record of success in raising capital. An exceptional and persuasive communicator, you will be able to engage meaningfully with Dalhousie’s wide network of alumni and external partners and develop a reputation as a trusted partner and collaborator. You are an inclusive, empathetic, and authentic people leader who will inspire a team of committed professionals through bold and visionary thinking and support them through the sharing of knowledge, experience, guidance, and ideas. You have a reputation as a champion of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and experience developing and supporting healthy and safe workplaces. Most critically, you will be passionate about Dalhousie’s mission and vision and excited by the opportunity to lead with purpose as a member of the university’s senior leadership team.

The ideal candidate will be expected to demonstrate Dalhousie’s core & leadership competencies as Vice-President. This includes:

For more on Dalhousie’s leadership competencies click here.

For further information and to apply for the role, please contact Nick Chambers, Kathy Rahme, or Kate Ralston at kralston@boyden.com. The search committee will begin reviewing applications in early Fall 2023.

Accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process by contacting Kate Ralston at kralston@boyden.com.

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications in early Fall 2023. For further information and to apply for the role, please contact Nick Chambers, Kathy Rahme, or Kate Ralston at kralston@boyden.com.