Job Description

Staff - Non Union
Job Category M&P - AAPS
Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level C
Job Title Manager, Development Writing and Digital Engagement
Department Senior Leadership | DAE Sauder | UBC Sauder School of Business
Compensation Range $7,622.83 - $11,886.67 CAD Monthly
The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date August 4, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
UBC Sauder School of Business is one of the world's leading business faculties. The school consistently ranks among the top 100 in the world and is recognized internationally for excellence in research and learning, an outstanding faculty and unmatched global partnerships. A collaborative and respectful culture within which all members of our community can thrive is a key principle in our strategic plan, and one that underpins our educational mission.
We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at the Vancouver Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam. We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at UBC Robson Square is situated on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.
The UBC Sauder Development and Alumni Engagement team has a mission to inspire involvement and investment in UBC Sauder to drive innovation, further business knowledge and lead change for a better world. The development team is responsible for leveraging individual philanthropy and business partnerships in support of priority initiatives of the school.
Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE), the Manager, Development Writing and Digital Engagement is responsible for leading and developing integrated communications strategies and initiatives to advance and support UBC Sauder's ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement objectives. The Manager connects the fundraising and alumni engagement experiences and priorities across UBC Sauder's DAE department, ensuring that communications with alumni and donors are aligned with their interests and the school's key priorities.
The Manager works closely with various University stakeholders, including UBC Sauder's Marketing and Communications team, to deliver targeted, relevant, and engaging content, to provide alumni, donors, and community members with meaningful opportunities to engage and invest in key initiatives that will advance the school's mission.
The Manager's expertise will guide how we digitally engage alumni and donors across the school to support donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship and alumni engagement. Their writing and communications skills will ensure a cohesive approach to relationship building, while also working closely with Marketing and Communications team on broad-based communications efforts.
The Manager is at all times expected to be cognizant of the need to liaise appropriately with our colleagues in UBC Sauder Marketing and Communications, alumni UBC and Development and Alumni Engagement's communications teams to deliver an integrated, portfolio-wide communications offering.
Organizational Status
Reports to: Assistant Dean, DAE; Dotted-line accountability to the Assistant Dean, Marketing and Communications, UBC Sauder to ensure integration and coordination with UBC Sauder's overall marketing and communications program.
Works with: UBC DAE, senior administrators, and other stakeholders as required. Liaises with the UBC Sauder's marketing and communications team, DAE's communication team and UBC's central communications team as needed.
Supervises: Communications Coordinator, UBC Sauder DAE.
Work Performed
Leads the design and development of communication materials, including letters, case statements, donor proposals, speeches and other fundraising materials for donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and deepening alumni relations through relevant, content-driven initiatives that align with UBC Sauder's mission.
Designs and executes one-to-one and one-to-few communication strategies specifically for the donor audience, ensuring materials resonate with their interests.
Drives strategic direction and execution of large scale and high visibility donor communications programs; Develops and delivers complex fundraising proposals and case statements for high value donors ($250K-$10M), stewardship materials and cases for support. Drafts and develops donor communications on behalf of UBC Sauder's leadership, including the Dean, focusing on fundraising proposals, impact report letters, and personalized content aimed at deepening donor relationships.
Serves as a key liaison between UBC Sauder's departments of Development and Alumni Engagement and Marketing and Communications. Works closely to ensure content strategies are in sync without duplicating efforts, particularly for multi-channel campaigns such as fundraising campaigns, stewardship communications, and alumni community engagement.
Collaborates closely with the Marketing and Communications team to support online community building activities, including planning, strategy and implementation of a variety of campaigns and communication channels such as email marketing, social media channels, website updates, audio and video production, print pieces (ads, postcards, etc.) and online community engagement platforms.
Liaises with and develops and maintains a coordinated relationship with UBC Sauder Marketing and Communications team, Central DAE communications team, and alumni UBC communications team to build out a more collaborative approach for donor and alumni engagement specific communications.
Supervises and motivates the Alumni Communications Coordinator, ensuring alignment and efficiency across projects.
Oversees a high volume of deliverables, including managing a calendar of donor and alumni engagement communications. Ensures consistency, quality, accuracy, and relevance in all produced materials.
Prepares and manage timelines and work plans on communications projects. Ensures multiple, overlapping deadlines are met. Develops tactical plans to achieve project goals on time and on budget.
Oversees processes, reporting and practices in support of fundraising and alumni engagement communications initiatives, and ensures standards and protocols required for best practice are met.
Creates and manages a budget for all communications-related expenditures.
Problem-solves any concerns regarding communications projects and ad-hoc issues as they arise.
Performs other related duties, as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Initiatives executed by the Manager, Development Writing and Digital Engagement on behalf of the school and the Development and Alumni Engagement portfolio are very public, and are critical to donor and alumni engagement efforts. The Manager is required to develop strong working relationships with employees, faculty, as well as the business community.
Errors in judgment could have far-reaching and long-term serious negative reputational, financial and public relations impacts for the university, the school and their partners. Information provided by this position is used in making managerial and policy decisions at a strategic and senior level.
Poor leadership, or the lack of diplomacy, foresight or sound judgment could have a serious negative impact on the reputation of the University, its senior administrators, the portfolio, faculty and employees. It could also alienate existing and potential donors as well as jeopardize relationships with alumni, resulting in a potential loss of significant donations or critical relationships.
Supervision Received
Reports to the Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Engagement with a dotted-line accountability to the UBC Sauder's Assistant Dean, Marketing and Communications to ensure full integration and coordination of the development and alumni communications with UBC Sauder's overall marketing and communications program. Works independently against broad objectives.
Supervision Given
Manages Communications Coordinator, UBC Sauder DAE. May manage consultants and external service providers.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum six years of related experience, or communication services, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
Background in fundraising and alumni engagement communications is preferred. Knowledge of fundraising and alumni engagement in a university environment. Experience with online alumni and community engagement is an asset.
Ability to coordinate across organizational boundaries and motivate staff outside of their sphere of control. Must have initiative, be a self-starter, and adapt easily to changing priorities as well as the ability to manage multiple initiatives. Flexible and adaptable team player.
Strong leadership, relationship-building and collaboration skills required in liaising with internal and external clients. Excellent coaching, consulting, and negotiating skills.
Proven strategic and creative thinker, innovator and problem-solver, with high attention to detail, along with skills in conflict resolution.
Ability to conceptualize and provide strategic and integrated communications solutions in complex and unique situations and directly link and reflect the University's fundraising missions and goals.
Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills with an exceptional ability to generate enthusiasm and interest in readers.
Ability to work independently and to lead a group to meet deadlines.
Ability to work effectively with all levels of university personnel, including senior personnel.
Variety of software experience (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, InDesign, Email Marketing Systems, Customer Relationship Management Systems).
Experience in print and design coordination is an asset.
Experience in creative direction is an asset.