Director, Community Relations

Full-Time Continuing (35 hours per week) OOS Pay Band 8: $110,204 to $144,643 per annum September 25, 2023 About Us MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton’s diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.

Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 59 programs to more than 18,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world. MacEwan University is seeking a Director, Community Relations for a full-time continuing opportunity with our University Relations (UR) department.

Reporting to the Vice-President, University Relations, you will be responsible for developing, directing, and leading the Community Relations strategy and building strong partnerships between the community and MacEwan University. You will develop engagement plans, work across local, provincial, national, and international platforms, and ensure MacEwan’s focus on community-building is at the forefront of their work. Key responsibilities include: Leading and managing staff in Community Relations, including assigning and monitoring workload, preparing schedules, responding to emerging issues, and approving timesheets; Managing staff resources through effective recruitment, selection, training, coaching, leadership, supervision, professional development, conflict management and discipline, while also promoting and contributing to a positive UR culture; Attending industry functions and participating in professional associations to keep current with industry trends, competitive environment, benchmarks, opportunities, and challenges, ensuring a strong network of industry colleagues and resources; Consulting with the VP, University Relations on plans and forecasts, and managing the Community Relations’ annual budget; Strategically developing, implementing, and successfully executing community relations initiatives across local, regional, provincial and national stakeholders and markets, in collaboration with the VP University Relations and other senior leaders; Developing and implementing a plan that encourages, measures, and celebrates community engagement within MacEwan; Building and maintaining strong relationships with community influencers and key constituencies on behalf of the University, to support university priorities and key pillars of the strategic plan; Preparing briefings, reports and related materials to inform and advise the Senior Leadership Team on key community interests and relevant developments related to higher education; Partnering with the Office of Communications and Marketing on the development of key messages, correspondence, reports, stories and profiles of excellence and impact; Advising on MacEwan’s participation at external stakeholder events and sponsorships; Developing a partnership toolkit for MacEwan University; Identifying non-traditional sources of government funding for initiatives; Determining the type of partnership model appropriate for projects and facilitating the assessment of and/or procurement of resources to ensure the success of partnerships; Overseeing the Community Access Fund to support stakeholders’ presence on campus and foster continued strong relationships; Advising on the development and implementation of community outreach activities and projects; Working closely with the AVP, Research to establish effective community relations and engagement efforts, and identify research opportunities; and Proactively contributing to university publication materials and relevant messaging via print, web and social media that promote MacEwan and reflect the university’s commitment to building stronger communities locally, provincially, and nationally. Skills As a strong problem-solver, you enjoy complex challenges and collaboratively working with others to bring resolution to any issues.

You also have: The ability to maintain confidentiality and successfully navigate sensitive situations, with a commitment to integrity, flexibility, tact, and perseverance; Strategic thinking, creativity, analytical, and decision-making skills, with keen attention to detail; Current and comprehensive knowledge on political issues and trends, and demographics; The ability to gather data, compile information, prepare reports, investigate and analyze the information and draw conclusions; Strong and effective written and verbal communication skills; Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, to work with an extensive array of individuals both internal and external to the University; The ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented collaborative environment; The ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including upper management, clients and other departments; Excellent organizational and time management skills; The ability to work on multiple ongoing projects, adapt to changing priorities, and deliver on a variety of commitments and deadlines; and Knowledge of change management and process management techniques. Qualifications A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, Arts, Social Sciences, Sciences, or a related field. A minimum of ten years’ experience in a leadership capacity, including a minimum of three years of experience working in a post-secondary institution and/or a community engagement environment. Pre-existing relationships with corporate and community leaders across Edmonton and Alberta is considered a strong asset.

Experience, training or certification in Project Management, or ProSci is considered an asset. Change management certification is considered an asset. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. When you become part of the MacEwan University team, you will enjoy a competitive salary.

Our total compensation package includes: All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. This position is included under the Out of Scope employee policy (D1015). Applications sourced through this process may be considered for similar opportunities within MacEwan University. MacEwan University is committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community, and we are dedicated to removing barriers that have been historically encountered and are currently experienced by some members of our society.

We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and members of all equity-deserving groups. We believe that the diversity of our students, staff, and faculty serve as a strength of our institution and benefit to society. We are committed to ensuring full and inclusive participation for all in our community. Accessibility Statement We strive to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process.

If you require accommodation, we want to ensure you have the support you need to showcase your abilities. Please contact humanresourcesmacewan.ca and we will support you to the best of our ability. Personal Information Collection Notification Personal information is being collected to determine your qualifications for employment. This information is collected, used and protected under the authority of and in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

It may be provided to non-HR members of a hiring and interview panel if your application advances to that stage of the hiring process. If you have any questions about these arrangements, please contact: Human Resources, University Services Centre, Rm. 10-600, 10700-104 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4S2 or phone (780) 497-5434.

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