Manager, Campaign Events in Hamilton

About McMaster: At McMaster University, we are driven by a shared purpose: advancing human and societal health and wellbeing. Through world-class research, transformative education, and meaningful community impact, we are addressing some of the world's most complex challenges and creating positive change locally and globally. Consistently ranked among Canada's top universities and recognized internationally for research excellence, innovation, and student success, McMaster is home to more than 37,000 students, over 200,000 alumni worldwide, and a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, learners, and partners.

About University Advancement: University Advancement serves as the bridge between McMaster's mission and the philanthropic community that helps bring that mission to life. Through fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, advancement services, and strategic partnerships, University Advancement fosters meaningful relationships that create lasting impact for the University and the communities it serves.

About the Role: The Advancement Campaign team at McMaster University is expanding as the University is preparing for its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date. Reporting to the Associate Director, Advancement Campaign, the Manager, Campaign Events is responsible for the planning, development, and execution of a comprehensive portfolio of campaign-related events that advance fundraising priorities, deepen donor engagement, and enhance campaign visibility.

Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement integrated event strategies that support campaign priorities, fundraising objectives, donor engagement goals, and institutional visibility.
• Translate campaign priorities and fundraising objectives into impactful engagement opportunities that advance donor cultivation, stewardship, and volunteer engagement.
• Design and execute strategic experiences that move donors and prospects through the fundraising pipeline and strengthen long-term relationships with the University.
• Identify opportunities to leverage existing events as a key opportunity for campaign activation and engagement strategies.
• Ensure all campaign events align with institutional priorities, campaign messaging, and brand standards.

Campaign Event Strategy and Planning:

• Lead the planning and execution of campaign pillar events supporting priority fundraising initiatives.
• Develop and support faculty specific cultivation events in partnership with development leaders, faculty advancement teams, Deans, and academic leadership.
• Coordinate pan-university cultivation and engagement events that showcase McMaster's impact and strategic priorities.
• Support major campaign initiatives, including campaign launch activities, milestone celebrations, recognition events, and volunteer engagement opportunities.
• Create exceptional experiences for donors, prospects, alumni, volunteers, senior leaders, and community partners that foster meaningful engagement and philanthropic support.

Key Interested Party Engagement and Collaboration:

• Serve as a central resource for campaign-related events across faculties, University Advancement, Communications, senior leadership offices, volunteers, and external partners.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues across Advancement, including Development, Donor Relations, Advancement Communications, Alumni Engagement, Bequests & Planned Giving, and Advancement Services.
• Collaborate effectively with multiple key interested party groups to align priorities, manage expectations, and achieve shared campaign objectives.

Project Management and Event Operations:

• Manage all aspects of event planning and execution, including project timelines, budgets, venue selection, production, catering, registration, accessibility requirements, transportation, risk management, logistics, vendor management, and event communications.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive critical paths for multiple concurrent events and initiatives.
• Monitor event budgets and ensure proper use of resources.
• Establish and continually improve processes, tools, and best practices for campaign event planning and delivery.
• Manage external vendors, consultants, and production partners to ensure high-quality event experiences.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement:

• Support the development of metrics and evaluation frameworks to measure event effectiveness and campaign impact.
• Analyze participation, engagement, and event outcomes to inform future strategies and continuous improvement.
• Prepare post-event reports, budget reconciliations, and recommendations for future initiatives.
• Track event outcomes and contribute strategic insights to broader campaign planning and engagement efforts.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and ongoing support to the Advancement Officer, Pan-University Events & Engagement.

Qualifications:

• Education: Undergraduate degree in Event Management, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Fundraising, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum five to seven years of progressive experience managing complex events and engagement programs.
• Knowledge/Skills: Exceptional event planning, logistics, and event execution expertise.