Vice-President (External Relations)

Location -  This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The Opportunity

The Vice-President (External Relations) develops and leads strategies and initiatives that strengthen the University of Alberta’s reputation and deepen its relationships with the public, government, key partners, and communities, while advancing the university’s fundraising and development priorities. The portfolio fosters understanding and engagement through government and community relations, storytelling, advocacy, community partnerships, and signature events, working in close collaboration with academic faculties and administrative units. The Vice-President also serves as a senior ambassador for the university, building and sustaining relationships with key partners and communities, including government, donors, alumni, deans, community members, faculty, staff, and students across the university’s five campuses.

The University of Alberta is committed to being a university that is admired, trusted, and respected by those it serves—in Alberta, across Canada, and around the world.

Reporting directly to the President, the VP External Relations (ER) at the University of Alberta advances and enhances the institution's reputation, brand awareness, and value proposition. This is achieved by clearly communicating the University’s role in its community to external stakeholders (locally, nationally, and internationally) and supporting internal stakeholders with initiatives and actions that will elevate the University’s overall status. The VP ER also has a close relationship with the President, serving as a trusted advisor and providing strategic counsel on any issues that may arise. This role requires being continually on crisis alert and proactively identifying potential challenges that could pose a reputational risk to the institution.

The significant overlap among key partners and communities demands a fully integrated external relations strategy that moves beyond communication to genuine engagement: helping partners and communities understand how the University of Alberta is linked with their lives, culture, and society.

Leading a total team of approximately 300, the Vice-President (External Relations) portfolio encompasses a vibrant and diverse team of strategic institutional areas:

Relationship Building 

Builds and maintains trusting relationships and partnerships with a broad range of interest holders, including Indigenous communities. Builds and maintains trusting relationships and partnerships with a broad range of interest holders, as well as municipal, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments. Utilizes accessible and realistic communications that navigate the needs and priorities of a broad range of audiences, advancing shared priorities and strengthening the university's role as a trusted partner 

Government Relations

Builds and maintains trusted relationships and partnerships with municipal, provincial, federal and Indigenous governments, and coordinates institutional interface with all orders of government. Possess a deep understanding of the government’s needs so that the University can be responsive and in a strong position to influence when needed.

Trusted Advisor

Acts as an advisor to the President on all matters related to the University’s Brand and Reputation (both internally and externally). They enable the President to be a strong public figure by equipping them with the information that is required to effectively manage crises and de-escalate situations.

Issues Management

Expertly navigates both anticipated and unanticipated challenges that arise on a daily basis in order to minimize risks to the University. They prioritize their efforts, as well as those of the team, based on limited funding and resources.

Marketing and Strategic Communications

Shepherds the university’s brand by leading institutional strategic communications through external media to build awareness and reputation. Increases understanding and engagement among the university’s internal and external communities.

Advancement 

Provides vision and leadership to a full-scale institutional advancement program, including the development and execution of programs that produce measurable results for the University, including major gift and planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, donor relations, research, gift processing and other fundraising support.

Alumni Relations

Creates and maintains successful programs to develop and cultivate lasting relationships with the university’s local, national and international alumni population