VP Engagement

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Rwanda, +1 more country.

📋 Description

• Act as the university's chief external representative and oversee the Engagement function.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy that encompasses philanthropy, partnerships, marketing, impact, alumni and community involvement, and stakeholder stewardship.

• Enhance resource mobilization by obtaining funding and strategic backing for the university's mission.

• Foster partnerships that extend ALU’s influence, significance, and contributions throughout Africa and globally.

• Create and maintain a lifelong community of students, alumni, parents, staff, donors, and partners.

• Manage marketing, branding, public relations, media interaction, and reputation management.

• Direct impact reporting and storytelling to showcase institutional outcomes and influence.

• Plan and implement fundraising and business development strategies, including major donations, foundations, corporate contributions, and campaigns.

• Establish and nurture relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, institutional donors, corporations, governments, NGOs, and global entities.

• Collaborate with leadership and the Board to identify and engage strategic donors.

• Formulate funding proposals, donor stewardship systems, reporting, and impact communications.

• Lead significant institutional fundraising campaigns when necessary.

• Develop customer experience, data collection, relationship management, and stewardship systems.

• Direct alumni engagement strategies and programs, including mentorship, career support, investment networks, and community impact initiatives.

• Represent the university at external forums, strategic alliances, and high-level stakeholder engagements.

• Organize high-impact institutional events, summits, gatherings, graduations, and donor events.

• Build and manage a high-performing Stakeholder Engagement department.

• Set strategies, goals, and metrics for fundraising, partnerships, and engagement.

• Collaborate with executives, the CEO's office, and the Board to align stakeholder engagement with institutional objectives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Extensive leadership experience in fundraising, partnerships, external affairs, or stakeholder engagement.

• Demonstrated success in cultivating relationships that result in funding, partnerships, or institutional advancement.

• Experience interacting with senior leaders, boards, donors, and international networks.

• Knowledge of Africa’s development, philanthropic, or innovation ecosystems.

• Experience in higher education is beneficial but not mandatory.

• Strong personal commitment to Africa’s development and ALU’s mission.

• Capacity to inspire and mobilize a diverse range of stakeholders around a common goal.

• Proficiency in establishing and maintaining trust-based, high-value relationships across different sectors, cultures, and regions.

• Strong judgment in engaging, influencing, and managing stakeholders.

• High accountability with the ability to convert ambitious ideas into concrete results.

• Capability to integrate fundraising, partnerships, branding, alumni relations, and impact functions into a unified strategy.

• Proven track record in designing and implementing fundraising strategies, including major gifts, institutional funding, and revenue generation linked to partnerships.

• Expertise in marketing, public relations, impact reporting, and developing institutional narratives.

• Ability to initiate, negotiate, and structure strategic partnerships.

• Experience in building and activating alumni, community, and supporter networks.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

• Engaging work environment focused on collaboration and innovation.

• Access to a diverse network of professionals and thought leaders.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.