Engagement Manager

Engagement Manager Permanent, full-time position Guelph, ON Are you a strategic relationship-builder who thrives on bringing people together through creative

programming and meaningful experiences? Do you have a passion for alumni engagement, event

strategy, and fostering lasting connections that strengthen institutional pride?

The University of Guelph is seeking an Engagement Manager, university-wide, to lead signature alumni

events, build innovative engagement programs, and develop initiatives that connect thousands of

graduates and friends with the university’s mission and impact. Reporting to the Associate Director,

Alumni Advancement, you will manage high-profile programs such as Homecoming, Frosty Mug, and the

Alumni Awards of Excellence, while shaping alumni benefits, promotions, and reunions that create

lifelong connections with the university community.

In this role, you’ll serve as both a strategic leader and a hands-on project manager, collaborating across

departments and with volunteers to deliver inclusive, impactful engagement opportunities. From

designing campaigns that reach broad audiences to tailoring initiatives for targeted groups, you’ll

balance creativity with data-driven insights to evaluate success and refine strategies.

The ideal candidate brings experience in alumni relations, communications, events, or volunteer

management, with the ability to oversee complex projects, manage large budgets, and engage diverse

stakeholders. You will also bring fresh ideas and digital savvy to ensure U of G’s alumni programming

remains dynamic, relevant, and inspiring.

This is a unique opportunity to join a collaborative team within Alumni Affairs & Development at a

pivotal moment as the university prepares for its first fundraising campaign in over a decade. Your work

will play a vital role in advancing U of G’s culture of philanthropy, deepening alumni relationships, and

supporting the university’s bold ambitions for the future.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading a portfolio of high-profile programs and initiatives, from signature events like Homecoming, Frosty Mug, and the Alumni Awards of Excellence to a growing suite of alumni benefits, promotions, and affinity programs, and supporting our reunions program.

• Serving as both a strategic lead and hands-on project manager, working across departments such as Ceremonies and Events, Hospitality, Communications and Marketing, Experiential Learning, and the Registrar’s Office, as well as within Alumni Affairs & Development teams, to deliver seamless and inclusive engagement experiences.

• Leading the strategy and engagement planning on high-profile signature events.

• Shaping and executing large-scale alumni engagement programs and reunions.

• Developing and promoting alumni benefits and services that drive loyalty.

• Evaluating program impact using data and scaling what works.

• Exploring new engagement opportunities that balance broad reach with targeted outreach.

• Supporting and stewarding volunteers are connected to central engagement efforts.

Requirements The university recognizes that no one individual will have the following skills/experience in equal measure, but the qualifications below will be used to assess the suitability of candidates throughout the process

• An undergraduate degree and 3 years of progressive experience in alumni relations, communications, engagement programming, volunteer coordination, events, or partnership development. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• Proven ability to design, deliver, and evaluate multi-channel outreach programs (digital platforms, benefits and affinity initiatives, alumni travel, high-profile campaigns).

• Knowledge of alumni relations best practices, relationship management, privacy regulations, budgeting, and research.

• Experience managing budgets of $100,000+ with strategic resource allocation.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder

environment (post-secondary experience preferred).
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint) and experience

with CRM or advancement databases.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Thinks strategically and plans thoughtfully.
• Communicates clearly and persuasively, in writing and in person.
• Collaborates naturally and energizes teams around a direction.
• Enjoys exploring and leveraging new digital tools.
• Uses data to inform decisions and measure success.

The University of Guelph (www.uoguelph.ca) is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive comprehensive institutions, with a record of outstanding scholarship in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical and engineering sciences, agriculture, and veterinary sciences. This is your chance to join us in our endeavor to improve life. To view a detailed posting for the role of Engagement Manager, please go to our website at https://careers.uoguelph.ca/. At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

https://www.uoguelph.ca/ https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ https://www.uoguelph.ca/diversity-human-rights/sites/uoguelph.ca.dhr/files/public/Inclusion%20Framework%20Endorsed%20April%202017.pdf