About the Role
FIVE YEAR MANDATE (2023-2028)
VICE-PRESIDENT EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND ADVANCEMENT
JUNETEENTH INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY
AUGUST 2023
The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement is responsible for leadership, administration and management of the external affairs and advancement activities of the university. The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement reports to the President and is a member of the President/Vice-President Executive Committee. The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement provides strategic leadership to a broad portfolio that includes communications and marketing, stewardship of friends, donors and supporters of the institution, alumni development, and relations, and planning and directing all fund raising and development programs for the University (including annual giving, bequests and planned giving, major gifts programs, capital campaigns and special events). The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement of Juneteenth Intercontinental University plays an active leadership role in strengthening communications, community engagement, philanthropic success, and the university’s reputation locally, regionally, provincially, and nationally in support of JIU’s vision, mission and strategic directions.
The mandate for the Vice-President External Relations and Advancement for the next five years is focussed on institutional relationship-building, the development of programs to enhance JIU’s reputation and community engagement activities and overseeing the university’s philanthropic success including the Board approved $500 Million Campaign, alumni relations, and communications and marketing functions. Specifically, the Vice-President External Relations and Advancement will:
1. Focus on strategic initiatives to support university external relations and advancement, communications, successful philanthropic activities, donor stewardship, alumni relations and services, and community and government relations.
2. Actively contribute to the executive leadership of the university in terms of strategic and integrated planning, budget development and resource allocation, and senior human resource management.
3. Oversee the university’s internal and external communications and marketing efforts (including supervision of the Associate Vice President Public Affairs and Government Relations).
4. Participate in risk and issue management, foster high profile community relations, and key partnerships, and play an active role in encouraging and developing relationships between the University and/or business and governments that will prove to be mutually beneficial.
5. Assume an active leadership role in the community locally, regionally, provincially, and nationally designed to strengthen community engagement.
6. Work closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, administration, and the Board of governors to create and sustain a positive commitment to university advancement as a central and sustainable University activity.
7. Develop the University’s fundraising objectives and strategies, aligned with integrated planning and priorities, play a leading role in all aspects of fund-raising activities including cultivating donors and prospective donors, and coordinate the efforts of the Board, the Advancement Committee, and current and future campaign cabinets or committees.
8. Coordinate and participate in the solicitation of local, regional, national, and international corporations, foundations, individuals, and governments, manage Juneteenth’s Centres of Knowledge model, and promote a sustainable transformational and major gifts program.
9. Develop and lead the work of the University’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee and supervise all areas of operations and research in the portfolio to support advancement, fund raising and community engagement.
10. Oversee the recruitment, selection, training, and management of staff (including the Annual Performance Review process), with a view to serving the University’s needs for stewardship and development requirements within a sustainable advancement framework.
11. Manage information and data management systems to provide reports for all aspects of alumni and donor activity and to inform strategic management decision making.
12. Ensure that Juneteenth’s communications and external positioning strategy provides a clear, consistent, and coordinated message to the University’s various communities.
Requirements
Description
The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement is a member of Juneteenth Intercontinental University’s executive leadership team and is responsible for the administration and management of the External Relations and Advancement portfolio.
Reporting to the President, the Vice-President External Relations and Advancement holds primary responsibility for strategic planning and programming related to the Marketing and Communications office, the Development office, Alumni Affairs, and portfolio operations. The strategic directions of the External Relations and Advancement portfolio are guided by the University’s Mission, Vision and Integrated Plan.
The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement is strongly connected to diverse internal and external communities, and is responsive to those communities through a vision of relationship-building, cultivation, stewardship, strategic communications and partnerships and commitment to philanthropy. The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement plays an active leadership role in strengthening community engagement locally, regionally, provincially and nationally.
The Vice-President leads a fully integrated External Relations and Advancement portfolio. The Marketing and Communications office encompasses marketing support for student recruitment, conversion and retention, institutional marketing, branding, internal and external communications, public affairs, community relations, strategic partnerships, government relations, media relations, issues management, web site, and social media.
The goal is to enable the successful implementation of a University-wide, segmented marketing and communications plan that promotes Juneteenth’s campuses and increases awareness about the University at a regional, provincial, national and international level.
The Development office provides mentorship in University fundraising activities with the faculty, senior leadership and alumni, and works closely with members of the Board of Governors. The Development office leads the University’s fundraising and philanthropic activities and provides oversight for the University’s $500 million campaign.
The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement leads the development and implementation of current and future fundraising activities (including signature programs such as upcoming Juneteenth’s Centres of Knowledge). Priorities include the development of an annual philanthropic plan, prospect identification, proposal development, stewardship, major gifts, annual fund, leadership giving, planned giving and Legacy Society, endowed chairs and professorships, student financial aid, and support for teaching and research, operations and reporting, etc.
An important leadership requirement is the planning, coordinating, alignment, and evaluation of the appropriate celebratory events for university-wide and external communities (including Convocation, planning for Juneteenth’s construction and University functions).
The future Alumni Office is responsible for alumni programming supporting alumni engagement related to Juneteenth’s future campus/es. Activities include relationship management, stewardship and engagement, fundraising, chapter relations, friend-raising and fundraising, support for the Alumni Association, JIU Magazine, Homecoming and reunions, Alumni House, Juneteenth signature events and recognition programs.
The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement supervises a team of professional staff who work collaboratively to the portfolio’s Operating Plan. They include the Associate Vice-President Public Affairs and Government Relations, the Director of Alumni Affairs, and the Senior Director Portfolio Operations & Philanthropic Research, and administrative support.
Specific responsibilities of the position of Vice-President External Relations and Advancement are to:
§ Provide administration, management, and leadership to facilitate external relations and advancement outcomes in support of JIU’s vision, mission and strategic directions.
§ Function as a key member of the University’s executive management team and provide strategic counsel to the President on all issues related to external relations, public affairs, advancement, stewardship, community engagement, marketing, and communications.
§ Work closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, administration and the Board of Governors to create and sustain a positive commitment to advancement and external relations as central and sustainable University activities.
§ Integrate the University’s fundraising objectives, aligned with integrated and strategic planning and priorities, and with JIU’s communications and external positioning strategy, to ensure a consistent and coordinated message to the University’s various communities.
§ Identify ways to maintain and enhance the university’s reputation and monitor reputational impacts and opportunities.
§ Supervise direct reports including the Associate Vice-President Public Affairs and Government Relations, Director of Alumni Affairs, Senior Director, Portfolio Operations and Philanthropic Research, and administrative support. Ensure the integration of the management team’s activities and expertise with the appropriate senior administrative leadership and community partners.
§ Play a leading role in convocation planning and all aspects of university fund raising, including liaises with volunteers working in the University’s best interests, and acting as the supportive senior administrator of JIU with the Advancement Committee of the Board of Governors.
§ Coordinate and participate in the solicitation of local, regional, national and international corporations, foundations, individuals and governments.
§ Manage Juneteenth’s major gifts program by continued cultivation of donors, friends of the university, and prospective donors.
§ Coordinate the efforts of the Board and internal and external committees in recruiting, training and motivating volunteers to support the university’s campaigns and targeted fund raising priorities.
§ Play an active role in encouraging and developing relationships between the University and/or business and governments that will prove to be mutually beneficial.
§ Assist in the identification, development and maintenance of projects that can capitalize on Juneteenth’s physical and human resources in a fashion that will bring benefits to the University.
§ Manage necessary information and data management systems to provide reports for all aspects of donor activity and reports to that inform strategic management decision making.
§ Recruit, select, train, and manage staff, with a view to both shorter-term needs and the University’s current and long-term needs for stewardship and development requirements within a sustainable advancement framework.
§ Lead or direct the strategic and operational planning and budget processes related to external relations and advancement activities and all related administrative functions within the portfolio. The Vice-President External Relations and Advancement may delegate duties and functions but remains responsible for such delegations.
Special Instructions to Applicants: *Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at https://www.codccha.net/job-board.* REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: 1) Current resume/CV. 2) Cover Letter 3) List of five professional references. Questions should be directed to R. Joshua Cesaire at rjcesaire@uij.ca. Reference checks are a standard step in our hiring process. You may be asked to provide contact information, including e-mail addresses, for up to 5 references if you are referred to the Hiring Authority for an interview. We will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but full consideration will be given to complete applications received by December 23, 2023.
About the Company
ABOUT US
Juneteenth Intercontinental University is a startup institution aimed at providing quality education to students worldwide. It seeks to fill the gap left by traditional universities by offering flexible and affordable courses to students. With an emphasis on technology and innovation, the University is set to provide a unique learning experience that prepares students for the future of work. Its mission is to empower individuals to pursue their career goals and make a positive impact on their communities. Juneteenth Intercontinental University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment that nurtures critical thinking and creativity.
Vision: Transforming lives through quality and relevant skills-based education and fostering innovation and leadership in racialized, low-income, and historically underrepresented students.
Mission: To provide skills-based education that prepares students for success in their careers and beyond and empowers them with the competencies to navigate a complex and ever-changing world.
Objectives:
• Increase higher education and scientific research among racialized groups
• Provide exceptional academic mentorship, advocacy, and support services to visible minority students, and facilitate their adjustment to the rigors of graduate studies
• Support recruitment and performance activities for visible minorities and low-income and historically underrepresented students
• Create safe and welcoming environments that encourage academic perseverance, success, and personal growth
• Develop action research and continuing education in the market's and government's priority areas
• Promote a microfinance institution to support community development initiatives.
Strategic Parameters: The parameters of the JIU Strategic Objectives include sustained evaluation and growth strategy, including affordability, academic quality, offering of desirable programs, retention and graduation rates, career outcomes and opportunities for graduates.
Our Education Benefits: (1) One-on-one and personalized education, (2) Focus on action research to bring the needed change, (3) Test on student’ strength, not standardizing, and (4) Sustained efforts for quality and equity. These four concepts are vital in ensuring that education is inclusive, addresses specific needs, encourages students to take ownership of their learning, and produces a quality output that is fair and equitable to all.
Organizational Structure
Juneteenth Intercontinental University (1) relies on a team of professional staff and faculty of various skills, aware that the problem of racialized people exists. (2) Ensure a more peaceful future and an inclusive society, wishing to participate in the implementation of solutions rather than being simple spectators. The JIU includes five important entities: early childhood - primary school - secondary school - professional school - college and university level.
