Vice-President, Advancement

Brock University

We acknowledge the land on which Brock University was built is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples and acknowledging reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.

Brock University is one of Canada’s top post-secondary institutions. Brock is a comprehensive university with expansive undergraduate program offerings as well as advanced research, post-graduate and doctoral programs. Situated in the heart of the Niagara region, putting you in the centre of a vibrant and cultural area, Brock offers all the benefits of a modern university in a safe, community-minded region with beautiful natural surroundings. There are many reasons people choose Brock, including our wide range of top-ranked programs, our many co-op, placement and experiential opportunities, our cutting-edge research enterprise, our dedication to innovative teaching and learning, and our location along the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Our commitment to applied and impactful research that advances our community is a cornerstone to our institution. This is evidenced by our award winning CCOVI centre linking local industry to research, our world-class athletics facilities, and our linkages to community organizations to advance research in all aspects of health, physical activity, and sports.

With more than 19,000 students in seven diverse Faculties (Applied Health Sciences; Education; Humanities; Mathematics and Science; Social Sciences; Graduate Studies; and the Goodman School of Business), Brock offers an academic experience that is second to none. You will find a community that celebrates distinctive voices, intellectual curiosity, and student wellness. Life is more than just the time spent in classrooms. For three years in a row, Brock has ranked #1 in Canada for Mental Health services because we have resources and people committed to ensuring our students are supported and empowered everyday. Brock offers one of the most extensive recognition programs in Ontario, with guaranteed scholarships beginning at 80%. Students come from across Canada and more than 100 countries around the world, bringing a wide range of perspectives, lifestyles, and experiences to campus. Brock is more than a school — it’s a community.

Brock University is seeking an ambitious and collaborative leader to join the President’s executive leadership team as Vice-President, Advancement. Working with the university community, this pivotal position will be responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive institutional fund development, alumni, marketing, and communications to increase overall engagement and fundraising levels. In this newly expanded role, the Vice-President, Advancement will inspire 100,000+ alumni and members of the community to engage with Brock as ambassadors and partners to create mutually beneficial connections. They will develop and guide a skilled team in visioning and delivering an integrated fundraising and engagement strategy that will, in collaboration with others on campus, increase positive and meaningful interactions between Brock and its communities locally, provincially, nationally, and globally.

The ideal candidate is a visible community leader who possesses a university degree in a relevant discipline and over 10 years of progressive strategic leadership experience of a significant development portfolio that has included major and individual gifts, in-kind, annual, capital, corporate, legacy and planned gift programs and campaigns. A Master's degree and accreditation or credentials in the fundraising field will be considered an asset. Strong candidates will demonstrate experience effectively engaging alumni, donor, community, and stakeholder groups, identifying and implementing new and innovative revenue generation streams, and integrating engagement and stewardship initiatives with fundraising strategies and goals. The successful candidate will be goal driven and have highly effective networking, presentation, and public speaking skills with experience in a large and complex multi-stakeholder organization such as a postsecondary institution, healthcare, a substantial foundation, or the broader not-for-profit sector. The Vice-President, Advancement will leverage existing strengths and create new opportunities to strengthen the Brock’s visibility, reputation, and impact.

Brock University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Explore Niagara

Brock University is located in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula, home of natural beauty, amazing history, and world-famous attractions. Niagara is one of Canada’s most unique regions, a diverse collection of communities, connected by rural landscapes and unspoiled nature, and bordered by two Great Lakes, the mighty Niagara River, and New York State. In September 2023, Brock will relocate its Hamilton Campus to more modern facilities in Burlington.

Niagara is wine country, craft breweries, arts, music, theatre, sports, beaches, hiking, biking, recreational trails, festivals, attractions, night clubs, pubs, and renowned farm-to-table culinary destinations, all only an hour from Toronto, and just across the border from Buffalo.
From the thriving downtown St Catharines arts scene, including Brock's own Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, to the culture of Niagara-on-the-Lake, to vineyards and farmers markets, to the mighty Niagara Falls, one the natural wonders of the world, the Niagara experience is like no other.

An amazing place to live, work, and play, and an amazing home for Brock University.

Janet Soles and Associates has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Brock University. For more information about this opportunity or to apply, please send your curriculum vitae and letter of interest in confidence, with the subject line “Brock VP Advancement” to apply@jssearch.ca.