Lindauer is pleased to partner with KCI Search + Talent in their search for this executive leadership role at Western University.
Combining academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth, Western University has been preparing future leaders for careers of impact in their communities since 1878. Ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide, Western is Canada’s third-largest research-intensive university and is a founding member of the U15 group of Canada’s most distinguished research universities. As one of the region’s largest employers, Western has an operating revenue of nearly $800 million, and more than 11,000 full and part-time staff and faculty.
One of the oldest and most beautiful universities in Canada, Western is located on over 55 hectares (1,120 acres) along the banks of the Thames River providing a unique community feeling. The main campus offers nine student residences, housing either first-year students or upper-year students, plus three on-campus three apartments on campus strictly for upper-year and graduate students.
As Western looks towards its 150th anniversary in 2028, they are energized and ready for greater impact. They will educate, support, and encourage leaders who think and act boldly in response to the grand challenges of our time – to serve the public good. The University’s newly released Strategic Plan, Towards Western at 150, outlines a bold, inclusive vision for Western’s future, and outlines its priorities and aspirations while serving as the cornerstone of its public accountability.
The Opportunity
Western University is seeking an Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations to provide strategic leadership and vision for the planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of alumni engagement strategies. As a member of the University Advancement senior leadership team, the AVP, Alumni Relations will also provide executive leadership and be responsible, in collaboration with colleagues, for the overall strategy of University Advancement. This is a new position at Western, elevated to the AVP level when the previously amalgamated Alumni Relations & Development department was split to ensure continued strategic and operational excellence in both areas.
The new incumbent in this role will lead a strong and committed team of alumni relations professionals who are individually and collectively focused on ensuring the University is successful in its mission to inspire and engage alumni, while fostering meaningful and mutually beneficial life-long relationships between the University and its graduates. The AVP will oversee the successful creation, execution, and evaluation of high-quality engagement initiatives, both centrally and within the faculties and divisions, to ensure that alumni engagement is broadened, deepened, and aligned with Western’s new strategic plan. Reporting to and working closely with the Vice-President (University Advancement), the Associate Vice-President will serve as a member of the University’s leadership group, interacting with leaders at all levels, including the President, Deans, Chairs, Professors, all Vice-Presidents, AVPs and student leaders, on a wide variety of University Advancement initiatives and programs.
The Associate Vice-President will be a catalyst for excellence and innovation and will leverage opportunities to implement change and new initiatives to maximize program delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness within Alumni Relations and University Advancement. A highly visible leader, the Associate Vice-President will make alumni feel engaged and excited and will mobilize their pride and loyalty to encourage philanthropic support and volunteer commitment. This role will provide inspiration to the alumni staff team and volunteers at all levels throughout the University, and while representing Western locally and internationally.
The salary range for this position is $175,000-$200,000 CAD. Applications from international candidates are welcomed and will be considered per Canadian immigration laws.
