Executive Director, College Advancement

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Langara College provides University Studies, Career Studies, and Continuing Studies programs and courses to more than 20,000 students from Canada and abroad each year. Langara College is focused on making the academic experience accessible, relevant, affordable, engaging, and rewarding. Our curriculum is based on an integrated and cross-disciplinary approach designed to enhance the learner’s ability to apply and transfer knowledge.

Designed to meet the needs of our diverse community, Langara’s accessible programs of study lead to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, or certificates. To this end, we offer the most comprehensive Arts and Sciences university transfer program of any BC college, as well as 3 baccalaureate programs, 24 outstanding Career programs, and more than 600 unique continuing studies courses and programs. For years, Langara has been British Columbia’s leading undergraduate institution, providing more successful transfer students to BC universities than any other college, regional university, or institute. Langara’s broad selection of career programs, including many co-operative education options, prepare students to be job-ready upon graduation. In addition, our lifelong learning offerings are designed to meet both personal and professional development needs of the community at large.

Dedicated to teaching excellence, and bonded through a common vision of helping people find freedom through knowledge, Langara College attracts award-winning instructors from diverse academic disciplines and backgrounds. We value and are committed to a learning and working environment that is characterized by encouragement, free enquiry, integrity, mutual respect, professionalism, recognition of achievement, and social responsibility.

Langara College was established as an independent public college on April 1, 1994, after offering programs as part of Vancouver Community College for over 29 years. College management has recently engaged members of the College community in the development of a new and vibrant Strategic Plan to identify priorities and goals in the coming years. Approved by the Board in spring 2009, this plan will position Langara College for continued growth to better serve our communities and our learners.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Langara College is seeking an experienced fundraising professional to join our team as Executive Director, College Advancement. Reporting to and working closely with our President, the Executive Director will be responsible for the overall direction and execution of fund development activities which support the College and its students. This position is responsible for administration, financial management, and human resource management of its staff and volunteers within the purview of College Advancement. Through extensive internal and external collaboration, the Executive Director will play an integral role in raising Langara College’s charitable profile to promote and realize philanthropic giving opportunities within the greater community.
 

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
Engaging and confident, the ideal candidate will be highly skilled at building relationships externally and internally. Energetically reaching out to the broader community and beyond, the Executive Director will serve as an ambassador who links potential supporters to the College’s institutional needs and players. An effective collaborator and organizer, the new incumbent will possess a social agility and cultural competency that will permit easy shifting between campus and corporate environments.

The successful candidate will possess broad fundraising experience that encompasses major, annual, and planned giving, campaigns, as well as advancement planning and operations. Able to see opportunities across the college and strategically leverage them, the Executive Director will develop a sustainable strategy, a tactical roadmap, and an action plan for advancement success.

The Executive Director, College Advancement will have a passion for education that is palpable and credible. While previous experience in fundraising in a post-secondary environment would be beneficial, more important is an ability to translate previous experience into the college context, and to appreciate and leverage the differences. Financially and technically literate, the ideal candidate will effectively direct the systems, processes, and reporting that underpin and support advancement efforts. Capable of moving quickly to drive change, but also patient when pace of change is slow, the Executive Director will be comfortable multitasking and managing multiple priorities.

Focused on the possible rather than the impossible, the successful candidate will be a flexible thinker who blends pragmatism with creativity. Respectful of the needs, perspectives, and the roles of others, the Executive Director will ensure that people feel heard, understood, and excited. Enthusiastic and optimistic, the ideal candidate will combine a results-oriented focus and internal personal drive with an ability to motivate others. The Executive Director will serve as a role model and coach to coordinate faculty, staff, and volunteers, and to help them understand their roles in fundraising.

With sound judgment and a capacity to provide sound guidance, the ideal candidate will work collaboratively towards solutions. Personable, relaxed, and able to cope well with change and ambiguity, the Executive Director will be a valued and respected colleague. Politically aware and astute, the successful candidate will thoughtfully navigate the complex environment and processes of the College.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
This executive recruitment is being managed by Ketchum Canada Inc. on behalf of Langara College. Interested professionals are invited to contact Tara George or Jennifer Klarenbach in confidence to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Please contact us by email at langara@kciphilanthropy.com for more information, and for a copy of the full position profile.

Interested candidates should ensure that their resume and cover letter are submitted via email no later than March 17, 2010.