Manager, External Relations, Marketing and Advancement at Northern Lakes College

Status:

Ongoing Position

Location:

Slave Lake

Competition #:

NLC-2235R

Open To:

All Applicants

Date Posted:

November 5, 2025

Closing Date:

November 26, 2025 - 11:59am

Job Start Date:

December 10, 2025

Compensation Rate:

$100,024 to $129,026 per year

Hours Per Week:

36.25

Additional Information:

For over 50 years, the Northern Lakes College vision has been to increase accessibility to educational opportunities. With 25 locations across northern Alberta, program sites throughout Alberta, and a unique Supported Distance Learning model, students can access quality educational opportunities without leaving their community. Students can study from the comforts of home, work, on the road, or from one of the many College locations. Northern Lakes College offers a variety of university transfer, diploma, and certificate programs, including Academic Upgrading, Business & Administrative Studies, Health & Human Service Careers, Pre-Employment & Apprenticeship Trades, Resource Technology, University Studies, and Continuing Education & Corporate Training certificates and courses. We support and promote professional development and wellness opportunities, and provide our employees with an attractive benefits plan and competitive salaries. The College service region offers numerous recreational activities for the entire family to enjoy!

Northern Lakes College has the following ongoing position available:

Manager, External Relations, Marketing and Advancement Reference #NLC-2235R

Salary: $100,024 to $129,026 per year

Location: Slave Lake

December 10, 2025 to Ongoing

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in communications, marketing, public relations, nonprofit management or a related field;
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in advancement, marketing, external relations or fundraising, preferably in a community college or nonprofit environment;
• Ability to establish and cultivate strong relationships with peers, across different levels of the organization, with the public, industry, government, and others;
• Demonstrated success in relationship management, community engagement, and fundraising;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively connect with diverse audiences;
• Experience managing teams, budgets, and complex projects with multiple stakeholders;
• A high level of integrity, confidentiality and accountability;
• Ability to travel (Class 5 license), work flexible hours, and thrive in a fast-paced environment; and
• A combination of work experience, training, and education may be considered.

Preferred:

• Masters in a related field
• Extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with academic programs, budgets, staffing and business planning, and day-to-day management of professional resources.

Successful candidate must provide College or University transcripts and a clean Criminal Record Check to Human Resources prior to commencement.

For complete details on this employment opportunity, visit us online at: www.northernlakescollege.ca click on Careers at NLC. Please submit a resume quoting the reference number NLC-2235R to: Northern Lakes College, Human Resources, 1201 Main Street SE, Slave Lake, AB T0G 2A3 or alternatively Fax: 780-849-5881

Closing Date: November 26, 2025

Note: Northern Lakes College thanks all applicants for their interest in employment; however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Manager, External Relations, Marketing and Advancement

Nature and Scope of Work:

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Manager is responsible for the administration and management of the External Relations portfolio, including oversight for a team of up to six positions within the department. The Manager holds primary responsibility for advancing the mission and visibility of the College through strategic communication, community engagement, marketing, merchandising, fundraising, alumni relations and grant procurement. The College’s Mission and Vision statements guide the direction of the External Relations portfolio.

The Manager is connected to the wider college community and will be skilled in strengthening existing relationships and fostering new ones, to the benefit of the College. The Manager will consult and work with all College departments, including academics and other groups within the wider college community to strengthen collaboration and community engagement locally, regionally, and provincially.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Community External Relations:

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships for the purpose of College advancement;
• Represent the College at civic, educational, and industry events, when necessary, to build awareness and support for programs, initiatives, and institutional goals; and
• Serve as public ambassador for the college to enhance its reputation, promote student success stories, and support regional economic and social development.

Marketing and Communications:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to increase student enrollment, program awareness, and community engagement;
• Oversee and support content creation for digital platforms, print materials, social media, advertising and external communication;
• Ensure consistent branding and messaging that reflects the college’s mission, values, and diverse student population; and
• Manage media relations and press releases.

Advancement and Fundraising:

• Plan, direct, and implement fundraising initiatives including annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and planned giving to support scholarships, academic programs, and capital improvements;
• Collaborate with academic departments and college leadership to identify funding priorities aligned with the college’s strategic plan;
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, and community leaders to cultivate ongoing support; and
• Oversee stewardship and donor recognition programs to strengthen donor engagement and retention.

Alumni and Donor Engagement:

• Lead alumni outreach efforts to grow alumni engagement, volunteerism, and giving;
• Develop targeted strategies for alumni communications, networking events, and mentoring opportunities; and
• Maintain and leverage alumni and donor databases to inform relationship-building and fundraising efforts.

Leadership and Operational Management:

• Supervise department staff;
• Develop and manage department budgets, goals, and performance metrics;
• Monitor the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives through data analysis and reporting;
• Collaborate closely with admissions, academics, and student services to align messaging and outreach efforts;
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on issues related to external relations, public affairs, advancement, stewardship, community engagement, marketing, and communications; and
• Lead and support various groups and committees as required.

In addition to other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and will be a relationship builder;
• Self-directed, tactful, and diplomatic;
• Strong strategic development skills and ability to implement a strategic plan linked to institutional priorities;
• Effective leadership skills recognized within the institution;
• The ability to create and sustain institutional advocacy; and
• Advanced skills in the use of software applications.

Contacts (Internal and External)

• Entire College community
• External, Internal -staff, students, and departments.