Senior Manager, Advancement Communications

We are seeking a highly strategic and driven individual for the role of Senior Manager, Advancement Communications who will be responsible to develop and implement marketing and communication plans and campaigns that support UCC’s advancement objectives and its fundraising goals. This is an exciting opportunity for a results-oriented marketing and communications specialist who thrives in a creative environment.

The Senior Manager will have the unique opportunity to work with UCC’s Advancement leadership and creative agency partners to develop and implement a milestone campaign brand that effectively communicates UCC’s case for support and inspires major and annual gifts. With a view across all communication channels and platforms, the Senior Manager will ensure that all advancement marketing and communications products are on-brand and effectively promote the College’s priorities and culture of philanthropy to donors and the school community,

Reporting to the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications, the Senior Manager will be responsible for leading the development, project management (writing, editing and creative design oversight) and implementation of advancement marketing projects including UCC’s annual fund campaign, donor cases for support, presentations, newsletters, and microsite, the Senior Manager will also lead the marketing support for signature UCC donor events. and implementation of alumni communication by inspiring and creating a spirit of pride and engagement with UCC alumni around the world.

Collaborative, and a skilled project manager, the Senior Manager, Advancement Communications will be outcome focused, working in a home office setting and within our offices located at Upper Canada College. UCC is working within a remote/hybrid model, and staff are expected in the office 1-2 days a week and/or as required by project responsibilities.

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000

Posted On: September 8, 2023

Closing On: October 10, 2023

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Employment Type: Full Time

Level: Senior

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000

Website: https://www.ucc.on.ca/

ABOUT UPPER CANADA COLLEGE

Upper Canada College’s mission to deliver transformational learning experiences is supported by expert faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and wide-ranging co-curricular offerings. UCC is an IB Continuum World School with 1,200 students in Senior Kindergarten through Year 12, including 88 boarders from around the world. Located in central Toronto on 35 acres of green space, Upper Canada College was founded in 1829. Our alumni community of more than 12,500 in 80+ countries includes leaders and innovators in politics, finance, arts, athletics, media and beyond. We are proud that approximately 20 percent of UCC students receive financial assistance from the school’s sector-leading program, with $5 million available annually to Canadian students.

Our Vision: UCC values each boy and inspires him to be his best self. A UCC experience reflects the pluralism and promise of Canada and identifies the College as a global leader in the education of boys.

Our Mission: Upper Canada College provides transformational learning experiences that foster the development of head, heart, and humanity and inspire each boy to make a lasting and positive impact on his world.

Our Values

Learning – Learning about oneself and the world is at the heart of a UCC education. Through a rigorous liberal education and programs of personal development, each boy gains an understanding of himself, strong and wide-ranging skills, and knowledge that prepares him for success and responsible citizenship. We strive for excellence and celebrate accomplishment, valuing learning as a journey and not a destination. At UCC, learning is an ongoing pursuit marked by curiosity, collaboration, persistence, and openness to feedback. As a community, we model a culture of learning and growth.

Pluralism – A UCC experience is about more than just an appreciation of diversity; it is about celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives. Through an understanding and appreciation of pluralism we create a more inclusive community, and in turn, create a more just society where we work towards the common good.

Community – UCC’s culture is characterized by teamwork, collaboration, mutual respect and a fundamental belief in our Vision and Mission. We appreciate and value each individual, fostering strong and trusting relationships throughout our community. We stand by each other, offering support and care, and we foster in our boys the very best characteristics of brotherhood.

Service – To honour Sir John Colborne’s founding commitment to public purpose, UCC inspires boys to become service-oriented leaders who understand their unique qualities in relationship to others, have humility and empathy, and recognize their ability to positively influence change. At UCC we embrace the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference in our local and global communities.

Wellbeing – To foster individual and institutional well-being, UCC is committed to a learning and working environment that is safe, healthy, meaningful, engaging, and supportive. A UCC education equips each boy with the capabilities to develop the knowledge, self-awareness and strengths of character that enable lifelong resilience and allow him to flourish.

Strategic Directions: Towards 2029

Strategic Directions: Towards 2029 sets the course for our preferred future, one that is driven by our renewed vision to inspire boys to be their best selves and grounded in our mission to provide transformational learning experiences. Our Strategic Directions reaffirm our foundational focus on educating boys in an exceptional day school and boarding environment, delivering a rigorous liberal education through the International Baccalaureate Programme, and ensuring financial accessibility for boys of the highest potential.

Our history of bold and progressive thinking has inspired UCC’s renewed Strategic Directions— developed in extensive collaboration with our community. Three new goal pillars will guide our commitment to these strategic priorities and initiatives. They are Best Self—nurturing the unique combination of head, heart, and humanity in each boy; Flourishing Community—creating a vibrant school that values lifelong engagement; and Bold Future—embracing a culture of courage, striving for excellence, and advancing the common good.

This is a dynamic new agenda for UCC. It bolsters our commitment to deliver innovative teaching practices and learning outcomes, reflects the promise and pluralism of our global society, and supports the wellbeing of our boys, faculty, and staff. Our goals for the future are ambitious and exciting. We look forward to working with all members of the UCC community to achieve them, culminating in the extraordinary milestone of the College’s bicentennial.

For more details, please visit: https://towards2029.ucc.on.ca/

UCC’s Commitment to Pluralism

Education is critical to building an inclusive, just society. When we equip learners to challenge stereotypes, bias, and fear, and to understand their origins — and when we celebrate and support the identities of all in our community and make it safe for them to be themselves — we create true belonging.

To fully realize UCC’s vision to reflect the pluralism and promise of Canada, and to fully live our pluralism value, we’re implementing a multi-year strategy to foster a transformational learning environment where all students, employees and community members feel valued and that they truly belong.

The course we’re charting is grounded in ongoing consultation, which to June 2021 has included more than 25 sessions involving close to 400 community members, as well as continuous dialogue, and the creation of a strategic planning committee with representation from across the College. Responding to our community’s needs and complex global challenges, the strategy aims to remove barriers and biases that impede belonging and inclusion and to integrate a breadth of voices and experiences.

UCC’s pluralism strategy comprises 56 initiatives and 163 related actions to be implemented over at least the next five years. It addresses eight anti-oppression categories: ableism; anti-racism; antisemitism; homophobia and transphobia; Indigenous reconciliation; anti-Muslim discrimination; sexism; and socio-economic discrimination.

Through our wide-ranging initiatives and actions, we’re paving the way for positive change in seven specific categories across all aspects of college life: curriculum and pedagogy; students, programs, and support; people, organization, and professional development; admission; community; facilities and learning environments; and monitoring and evaluation.

Advancement @ UCC

The Advancement Team at Upper Canada College is collectively responsible for advancing the mission of the College through meaningful philanthropic relationships, community relations and communications.

Every dollar contributed supports the educational mission of UCC, whether by contributing to our sector-leading financial assistance program that enhances the accessibility, diversity and impact of the UCC experience for all students and supporting the ongoing development and excellence of our facilities, programs, and faculty, through to the provision of equipment and resources for teaching and learning, athletics, arts and culture.

The Advancement team is currently comprised of 22 staff organized into four units: Marketing & Communications, Community Relations, Advancement Operations, and Development. We work closely with faculty and staff across the School, and we also work very closely with alumni and parent volunteers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Marketing & Communications

Develop marketing and communication plans that build the case for support at UCC and engage the community in the College’s culture of philanthropy.
Oversee and project manage the implementation of UCC’s campaign brand creative including producing style guides and templates. Develop and produce (writing, layout, editing, briefing) UCC campaign branded materials for donors and community outreach including cases for support, proposals, presentations, event materials, publication content, web elements, newsletters, videos and others.
Develop and implement media/communications plans that share UCC’s campaign journey with the school community and public at various project stages including microsite development, newsletters, reports, and other materials.
Project manage, write, edit, coordinate and produce philanthropic material including cases for support, event materials, photo shoots/videos for programs including legacy giving, reunion giving, annual donor societies, donor stewardship events and more.
Lead the development and implementation of the Common Ties brand, including producing materials for UCC Branch Events, presentations, Alumni Spotlight news stories and an alumni Newsletter.
Work with UCC’s Advancement Team to develop and execute acquisition campaign strategies and tactics, managing campaign rollouts such as personalized donor reports, annual fund campaigns, reunion giving campaigns, and legacy giving campaigns.
Work with Advancement colleagues to develop and produce stewardship material including reports, digital communications and event invitations and materials.
Works with VP Advancement and Executive Director, Marketing and Communications to support donor communication and priorities.

Operational

Analyze relevant data on UCC audience and donor segments to refine communications and marketing strategies and plans in support of continually evolving campaign positioning.
Review campaign communications and marketing materials for consistency of brand and messaging.
Work with Executive Director, Marketing and Communications and AD Content and Creative to direct agency/freelancer involvement (media plans, creative development, design, PR services, etc.) related to campaign and Advancement work.

Knowledge Sharing

Develop relationships that enhance the College’s brand and the effectiveness of its communications and marketing.
Leadership role in supporting communications and marketing team operations and processes; mentor to develop team members.
Develop and maintain “knowledge sharing” relationships with fellow Advancement team members and across the college.

Other

Participate in a variety of initiatives that enhance UCC’s community relationships (students, donors, prospective families, strategic partners, alumni, parents, and volunteers).
Participate in various Advancement cross-functional teams and projects.
Support marketing and communication needs of VP Advancement and Executive Director as required.
Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

Education:

University degree preferred.
Marketing and Communications and/or Project Management education/certification is an asset.
A combination of experience and education will be considered.

Qualifications and Experience:

5+ years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and communications; agency and brand management experience are assets.
Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams on communications and marketing strategies, tactics and plans that leverage the strengths of a brand and position it for future growth.
Experience managing and energizing a range of partners/agencies/freelancers.
Experience invigorating brands and teams with fresh perspectives, ideas, and processes.
A proven track record of strong collaboration with external and internal partners.
A keen understanding of Advancement communications and fundraising are an asset.
A passion for education.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Upper Canada College. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Helena Debnam, Senior Consultant, KCI Search + Talent at KCI Search + Talent via email at UCCAC@kcitalent.com.

To view full position brief, visit www.kcitalent.com.

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Interested candidates should send resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by October 10, 2023.

Please note that the hiring range for this position is $80,000 to $100,000 per annum, plus a wide range of benefits and perquisites that are available to all UCC employees. UCC offers flexible work arrangements based on the needs of the position. There will be some evening and weekend work with this role. This position will work in office on our beautiful campus a minimum of two days per week.

Upper Canada College requires full vaccination for all eligible students and employees who will be accessing the campus for in-person learning and activities. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, exemptions will only be considered for defined medical conditions as determined by a clinician. Candidates are asked to proactively identify if they require more information about policy-accepted exemptions. A Criminal Records Check and a Vulnerable Sector Check will be required for this position.

UCC is proud to be an Employer Partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). This partnership provides our team with learning resources and is one part of our journey to embrace pluralism – celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives.