Vice-President, Institutional Advancement & President, OCADU Foundation

Creativity and innovation are transforming cultures and economies worldwide. As Canada’s “university of the imagination”, we have been encouraging and nourishing creativity and innovation for more than 134 years. Members of the OCAD University community – our students, faculty and graduates – are uniquely qualified to act as catalysts for the next advances in culture, technology and quality of life for all Canadians. OCADU has more depth and breadth than any school of its kind in Canada, with a unique learning environment that integrates studio-based education with historical, critical and scientific inquiry. With more than 3600 undergraduate students, close to 100 graduate students, 200 faculty, and an annual operating budget of $45M, OCADU shapes imagination through the delivery of art, design and media education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. OCADU’s twelve undergraduate program majors and its soon to launch interdisciplinary Digital Futures Program lead to either a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) or a Bachelor of Design (BDes) degree, with Bachelors of Arts programs beginning in 2011-2. Our five graduate degree programs offer the next generation of artists, designers, engineers, social scientists, cultural theorists, curators and industry leaders a level of scholarship that is virtually unmatched in Canada. OCADU offers a unique curriculum in Aboriginal Visual Culture at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The OCAD University is seeking an experienced advancement professional to serve as Vice-President, Institutional Advancement. Reporting to and working closely with the President, and working in partnership with the Board of the OCADU Foundation, faculty members, and staff, the Vice-President will lead our development, marketing & communications, and alumni & community engagement strategies, activities, and teams.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Vice-President, Institutional Advancement will work closely with the President, senior leadership, and the Foundation, to strategically gather forces around OCADU and build a culture of philanthropy, brand awareness and alumni engagement that supports the university as our vision grows. Interested in understanding the history and future of OCADU, the new incumbent will be passionate about the transformative power and impact of art, design and media education on society. They will understand the links between these fields and larger social, economic and cultural benefit. A pace-setter with a sense of urgency and initiative, the ideal candidate will create momentum in pursuit of OCADU’s advancement goals.  A skilled and effective communicator with impeccable interpersonal skills, the ideal candidate will possess a quick intelligence and sophistication that combines energy, charisma and gravitas. The new incumbent will be highly emotionally intelligent, and will deftly manage the complexity and challenges of an evolving organization. An extrovert who connects and relates easily to all levels, the Vice-President will create and seize opportunities to build relationships and engage others in OCADU’s future.  A champion for advancement within the University, the Vice-President will advocate for resources and support needed to achieve advancement goals. The ideal candidate will possess a respectful leadership style that cuts through complexity and ambiguity. Calm, composed, and collegial, the Vice-President will contribute to the administration of the University without getting hindered by it.    Employing knowledge gained from previous experience in advancement management within a higher-education setting, the successful candidate will prioritize and align activities to heighten the integration and effectiveness of advancement programs. Able to impart a clear vision and plan, the Vice-President will demonstrate the value and impact of advancement programs on OCADU’s future.  In addition to broad experience in all aspects of advancement, the successful candidate will have a strong and proven record in major gift fundraising, including participation in a significant campaign. A highly organized strategist and synthesizer, the Vice-President, Institutional Advancement will be responsive and relentless in cultivating prospective donors and partners to develop relationships that will benefit OCADU. Fearless about seeking out and connecting with new prospects, the Vice-President will lead the development of a systematic, strategic, and creative approach to prospect identification and donor pipe line development. The ideal candidate will also have experience in recruiting, guiding, and supporting a campaign committee, and will provide direction, encouragement, and support to leverage the involvement and connections of the President, senior volunteers, internal leaders, and faculty.  The Vice-President, Institutional Advancement will oversee and strategically leverage marketing, communications, and public affairs, helping the team to integrate and maximize these efforts to heighten OCADU’s visibility and image locally, nationally, and beyond. Understanding the importance of stakeholder engagement, the successful candidate will foster and strengthen communication and connections with alumni, with students, and with the community.  The new incumbent will help the Advancement team to work collaboratively, efficiently, and effectively with other university departments. A strategic thinker and pragmatic realist, the ideal candidate will understand how to bridge the vision with the operational reality. Constructive in helping the team to find and close the gaps, the Vice-President will clearly communicate strategy, context, expectations and priorities to staff. The successful candidate will freely share information, knowledge, skills and ideas to engage, inspire, and strengthen the team. Respectful, consistent, and trustworthy, the Vice-President, Institutional Advancement will be an excellent mentor and delegator who will identify and amplify the talents of others and support staff in reaching their full potential.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For a copy of the full position profile, interested individuals are invited to contact Tara George, Senior Vice-President & Lead Search Consultant, KCI Ketchum Canada Inc. via email at OCADU@kciphilanthropy.com or via telephone at 416-340-9710 ext. 254. Please note deadline of September 22, 2010. Earlier expressions of interest are appreciated.

All inquiries will be held in strictest confidence.