Job Description
The Opportunity
Competition #2526-MA-MP-15
Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is looking for a Manager, Development and Engagement to provide oversight for the University’s strategic external engagement, including fund and business development, alumni and community engagement.
Reporting to the Executive Director, External Relations, this role strengthens and stewards relationships with community and industry, alumni, donors, and the public to enhance the university’s reputation, support financial sustainability, and advance institutional priorities.
As a member of the leadership team, this role is responsible for advancing the institution’s mission by building, managing, and sustaining meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, partners, collaborators and external organizations. This role leads alumni and development initiatives, oversees key operational processes related to fund and business development, manages alumni engagement practices and provides people leadership within the unit. The position works closely with internal colleagues and external constituents to enhance engagement, foster stewardship, and increase institutional visibility.
This is a full-time permanent management position starting as soon as possible. Hours of work are 35 hours per week, 7 hours per day.
Key Responsibilities:
Alumni and Community Engagement
Build, manage, and steward relationships with alumni, champions, and community and industry, identifying and advancing both existing and new opportunities for engagement and support.
Collaborate with internal colleagues to recognize and celebrate alumni and advance alumni engagement at AUArts, through communications, coordination with other portfolios initiatives and engaged alumni.
Lead initiatives, including the design and delivery of alumni-led or alumni-centric engagement activities, including events, programs, volunteerism, recognition, benefits and services.
Oversee engagement-based evaluation, decision-making and reporting, including measures of alumni engagement and ongoing effectiveness in presence and relationships with community and industry.
Support the management and practices with community-based sponsorships, aligned to AUArts’ priorities and relationships.
Support and coordinate relationships, memberships and involvement with industry, community and civic organizations that align and advance AUArts’ reputation, profile and priorities.
Business and Fund Development
Maintain, develop, and steward external relationships with industry and foundations to cultivate philanthropic, sponsorship or partnership opportunities.
Advise and support the Executive Director and AUArts’ leadership and management with fund and business development priorities, including opportunity identification, proposals and cases, evaluation and reporting.
Lead the engagement and stewardship of current and prospective individual donors and partners in collaboration with colleagues, including communications, recognition and engagement opportunities.
Provide oversight to the operations and practices associated with relationship management, stewardship and engagement, including list management, monitoring and constituent records.
Lead efforts to create and maintain relationships and partnerships that generate revenue and recover costs independently and in collaboration with colleagues.
Manage 1:1 relationships with donors or prospective donors, and provide support to the Executive Director, members of the team, and members of AUArts’ leadership and management in cultivating and stewarding individuals.
Oversee the adherence of guidelines within business and fund development in collaboration with internal portfolios and team members, including sponsorships, partnerships, awards, and sponsorships.
Events and External Relationships
Provide support for institutional and other initiatives, including supporting event preparedness, advising on external engagement and guest experience.
Manage and steward opportunities for and with alumni, donors and external partners at events and initiatives at AUArts.
Represent AUArts at external events and initiatives, attending strategic opportunities and supporting leadership and management with strategic external presence.
Management & Administration
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance support for AUPE direct report(s).
Act as a member of the unit’s management team, contributing to planning and decision-making and providing leadership support to AUPE staff and contractors by leading meetings, establishing effective practices, and supporting consistent processes.
Manage and oversee project-based budgets, including use of restricted external funds, managing event or initiative budgets.
Support the Executive Director and other colleagues internally with strategic and operational management and usage of project-based budgets, in alignment with AUArts’ priorities.
Provide support and guidance to the Executive Director and other colleagues regarding legislative and operational requirements in external engagement information, external funds and non-profit and philanthropic guidelines.
Qualifications:
The following qualifications have been determined to promote the likelihood of
success in the role. In alignment with the principles of inclusion, individuals with an alternative equivalent qualification may be considered.
Mandatory
A four-year diploma, or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business, communications, marketing, arts or humanities, nonprofit management, event management, political science, international development or a related field
A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, business development, fundraising, sponsorship, alumni relations, donor engagement, partnerships or a related field.
Demonstrated experience managing alumni, donor, partner and other external relationships, including one-to-one and group relationship management.
Experience planning and managing projects, initiatives, events, programs, or campaigns focused on engagement and stewardship with external constituents.
Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and track budgets for internal or external requirements.
Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems and related tools, including the ability to manage data, synthesize qualitative information, and use insights to inform decision-making.
Preferential
Understanding of post-secondary institutional processes, practices, and guidelines.
Experience with external constituent CRM systems and related tools for events, communications and other forms of engagement.
Knowledge of CRA charitable guidelines and nonprofit governance, fundraising regulations, and related practices.
Competencies:
AUArts has established five common competencies to promote unity of vision and action in the organization. Responsibilities of leaders include the following:
Healthy Spaces
Create and maintain a respectful working environment.
Lead by example creating respectful dialogue standards.
Champion expectations related to physical and mental health, safety, and wellness.
Active Inclusion
Create and maintain an environment of active inclusion.
Lead by example implementing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility principles.
Champion Indigenous strategies, equity, diversity and inclusion programs, policies, and communications.
Creative Innovation
Evaluate current practices and propose innovative solutions.
Lead implementation of projects with a change management focus.
Champion change and actively support new initiatives.
Collaborative Practice
Create and maintain active collaboration within and between teams.
Lead by example cultivating effective communication throughout the organization.
Cultivate strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
Strategic Leadership
Create and implement operational plans, reviews, and projects.
Ensure policy, budgetary and legislative compliance within department.
Champion employee engagement by establishing and expanding best practices, employee development and continuous learning.
What We Offer
Comprehensive benefits package including pension and health spending account
Annual vacation accrual starting at 24 days, * Flex days, Personal days, and other types of leave
Paid time off over the University closure from December 24 – 31
Flexible / hybrid work arrangements
The starting annual salary will be dependent upon skills, education and experience.
How to Apply
Applications must include a Cover Letter and Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV). It is preferred that your application package be submitted as a single PDF document.
Please visit our Application FAQ's page to ensure your application is complete prior to submission. Upload your single PDF to the “Resume” section of the application portal. If you are unable to combine your documents into one file, you may upload them separately under the “Additional Documents” section.
If you are an active AUArts employee, please submit your application through your Dayforce account. From the menu, select Careers > Search Jobs to view open positions.
The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Competition #2526-MA-MP-15
Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is looking for a Manager, Development and Engagement to provide oversight for the University’s strategic external engagement, including fund and business development, alumni and community engagement.
Reporting to the Executive Director, External Relations, this role strengthens and stewards relationships with community and industry, alumni, donors, and the public to enhance the university’s reputation, support financial sustainability, and advance institutional priorities.
As a member of the leadership team, this role is responsible for advancing the institution’s mission by building, managing, and sustaining meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, partners, collaborators and external organizations. This role leads alumni and development initiatives, oversees key operational processes related to fund and business development, manages alumni engagement practices and provides people leadership within the unit. The position works closely with internal colleagues and external constituents to enhance engagement, foster stewardship, and increase institutional visibility.
This is a full-time permanent management position starting as soon as possible. Hours of work are 35 hours per week, 7 hours per day.
Key Responsibilities:
Alumni and Community Engagement
Build, manage, and steward relationships with alumni, champions, and community and industry, identifying and advancing both existing and new opportunities for engagement and support.
Collaborate with internal colleagues to recognize and celebrate alumni and advance alumni engagement at AUArts, through communications, coordination with other portfolios initiatives and engaged alumni.
Lead initiatives, including the design and delivery of alumni-led or alumni-centric engagement activities, including events, programs, volunteerism, recognition, benefits and services.
Oversee engagement-based evaluation, decision-making and reporting, including measures of alumni engagement and ongoing effectiveness in presence and relationships with community and industry.
Support the management and practices with community-based sponsorships, aligned to AUArts’ priorities and relationships.
Support and coordinate relationships, memberships and involvement with industry, community and civic organizations that align and advance AUArts’ reputation, profile and priorities.
Business and Fund Development
Maintain, develop, and steward external relationships with industry and foundations to cultivate philanthropic, sponsorship or partnership opportunities.
Advise and support the Executive Director and AUArts’ leadership and management with fund and business development priorities, including opportunity identification, proposals and cases, evaluation and reporting.
Lead the engagement and stewardship of current and prospective individual donors and partners in collaboration with colleagues, including communications, recognition and engagement opportunities.
Provide oversight to the operations and practices associated with relationship management, stewardship and engagement, including list management, monitoring and constituent records.
Lead efforts to create and maintain relationships and partnerships that generate revenue and recover costs independently and in collaboration with colleagues.
Manage 1:1 relationships with donors or prospective donors, and provide support to the Executive Director, members of the team, and members of AUArts’ leadership and management in cultivating and stewarding individuals.
Oversee the adherence of guidelines within business and fund development in collaboration with internal portfolios and team members, including sponsorships, partnerships, awards, and sponsorships.
Events and External Relationships
Provide support for institutional and other initiatives, including supporting event preparedness, advising on external engagement and guest experience.
Manage and steward opportunities for and with alumni, donors and external partners at events and initiatives at AUArts.
Represent AUArts at external events and initiatives, attending strategic opportunities and supporting leadership and management with strategic external presence.
Management & Administration
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance support for AUPE direct report(s).
Act as a member of the unit’s management team, contributing to planning and decision-making and providing leadership support to AUPE staff and contractors by leading meetings, establishing effective practices, and supporting consistent processes.
Manage and oversee project-based budgets, including use of restricted external funds, managing event or initiative budgets.
Support the Executive Director and other colleagues internally with strategic and operational management and usage of project-based budgets, in alignment with AUArts’ priorities.
Provide support and guidance to the Executive Director and other colleagues regarding legislative and operational requirements in external engagement information, external funds and non-profit and philanthropic guidelines.
Qualifications:
The following qualifications have been determined to promote the likelihood of
success in the role. In alignment with the principles of inclusion, individuals with an alternative equivalent qualification may be considered.
Mandatory
A four-year diploma, or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business, communications, marketing, arts or humanities, nonprofit management, event management, political science, international development or a related field
A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, business development, fundraising, sponsorship, alumni relations, donor engagement, partnerships or a related field.
Demonstrated experience managing alumni, donor, partner and other external relationships, including one-to-one and group relationship management.
Experience planning and managing projects, initiatives, events, programs, or campaigns focused on engagement and stewardship with external constituents.
Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and track budgets for internal or external requirements.
Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems and related tools, including the ability to manage data, synthesize qualitative information, and use insights to inform decision-making.
Preferential
Understanding of post-secondary institutional processes, practices, and guidelines.
Experience with external constituent CRM systems and related tools for events, communications and other forms of engagement.
Knowledge of CRA charitable guidelines and nonprofit governance, fundraising regulations, and related practices.
Competencies:
AUArts has established five common competencies to promote unity of vision and action in the organization. Responsibilities of leaders include the following:
Healthy Spaces
Create and maintain a respectful working environment.
Lead by example creating respectful dialogue standards.
Champion expectations related to physical and mental health, safety, and wellness.
Active Inclusion
Create and maintain an environment of active inclusion.
Lead by example implementing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility principles.
Champion Indigenous strategies, equity, diversity and inclusion programs, policies, and communications.
Creative Innovation
Evaluate current practices and propose innovative solutions.
Lead implementation of projects with a change management focus.
Champion change and actively support new initiatives.
Collaborative Practice
Create and maintain active collaboration within and between teams.
Lead by example cultivating effective communication throughout the organization.
Cultivate strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
Strategic Leadership
Create and implement operational plans, reviews, and projects.
Ensure policy, budgetary and legislative compliance within department.
Champion employee engagement by establishing and expanding best practices, employee development and continuous learning.
What We Offer
Comprehensive benefits package including pension and health spending account
Annual vacation accrual starting at 24 days, * Flex days, Personal days, and other types of leave
Paid time off over the University closure from December 24 – 31
Flexible / hybrid work arrangements
The starting annual salary will be dependent upon skills, education and experience.
How to Apply
Applications must include a Cover Letter and Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV). It is preferred that your application package be submitted as a single PDF document.
Please visit our Application FAQ's page to ensure your application is complete prior to submission. Upload your single PDF to the “Resume” section of the application portal. If you are unable to combine your documents into one file, you may upload them separately under the “Additional Documents” section.
If you are an active AUArts employee, please submit your application through your Dayforce account. From the menu, select Careers > Search Jobs to view open positions.
The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Manager, Development and Engagement position is now open for candidates interested in the Operations Executive Jobs sector. This role in Calgary offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Operations Executive Jobs is a plus.
