Skip to the content of the web site.

Director, Hong Kong Waterloo Foundation

Department: Advancement-Development Effective Date: January 5, 2015
Grade:

USG 13

35 hr/wk

 Reports to: AVP Principal Gifts

General Accountability

Accountable to the AVP Principal Gifts, the Director of the Hong Kong Foundation Office is responsible for representing the University of Waterloo and advancing the mission of the University in Hong Kong and China. The incumbent will lead and manage the Foundation, based out of Hong Kong, and is expected to be capable of representing the University at the highest levels both professionally and socially. The candidate will have the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the University to support the University’s advancement strategies and operations in Hong Kong and China. Primary responsibilities will include:  development (fundraising) and alumni relations as well as related activities (chapter activities, Foundation management, event and visit planning, co-operative job development as well as co-op student oversight).

Nature and Scope

Description of general framework and environment

The University of Waterloo has long been recognized as the most innovative university in Canada and was recently ranked as the #1 Comprehensive University in Canada.  Like many universities, Waterloo advances learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship.  What sets us apart is how we go about accomplishing our mission. 

From the beginning, Waterloo has been an outward-looking university, aware of and responsive to the needs of society.  We have the largest co-operative education program in the world, and our students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to solve today’s complex and pressing problems and to embrace future challenges.

However, producing the leaders of tomorrow is only one part of our mission.  As a research-intensive university, we’re committed to discovering new knowledge and finding ways to use that knowledge for the benefit of all.  We are the national leader in the transfer of ideas and technology to the private sector.  More Canadian high-tech and knowledge-based spin-off companies trace their roots to the University of Waterloo than to any other school.

The University of Waterloo is preparing for a major fundraising initiative and 2015 will be an important year for the University’s fundraising activities internationally, especially in Asia.  The University has 174,429 alumni in 144 countries around the world. Many are actively engaged in supporting and championing Waterloo, and our oldest and most active Alumni Chapter is located in Hong Kong, with over 2186 alumni in HK and China. There are 2671 students from Hong Kong/China at Waterloo (undergraduate and graduate).

The Director will work within the Office of Advancement with over 115 professional colleagues. The Office of Advancement works closely with several business units across campus, including Co-operative Education and Centre for Career Action, the Office of Research, Office of the

President, Office of the Provost, Waterloo International, and Finance.  The Director will also work with these units to effectively advance the development goals of the Hong Kong Office.

The University of Waterloo opened its office in Hong Kong in November 2011. The Foundation is responsible for developing meaningful, long-term relationships with the University’s alumni in Hong Kong and China, and is an important ambassador between Waterloo and the wider international community. Through the development of a sustainable engagement strategy with alumni and the wider community in Hong Kong and China, the Foundation aims to develop significant philanthropic relationships in support of the University and its international programs. In addition, the Office will be responsible for building productive relationships with co-op employers and students that help with the development and retention of jobs and an overall positive work term experience for students and employers.

The duties of the post are set out as they are envisaged at present, but it will be important for the person appointed to be flexible and adaptable, and able to contribute to the development of the above mentioned functions of the University of Waterloo in Hong Kong, China and possibly other areas of East Asia including Singapore and South Korea.

 

 

Significant Internal Relationships

 

Significant External Relationships

Students, Alumni and Parents in Hong Kong, China and East Asia

Alumni Chapter Executives in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and South Korea

Senior Business Executives in Hong Kong/China/East Asia, Co-op Employers

Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Canadian Consulate

Major Industry Sector Associations

Major Hong-Kong and Chinese Universities

Hong-Kong and Chinese government representatives

Statistical Data

2,260 undergraduates and 411 graduate students from China, including Hong Kong; together they represent 41% of Waterloo’s international students. Waterloo’s Strategic Plan goals include growth of the undergraduate international population to 20% and the graduate population to 30%. China is an important component of this goal.  The UWaterloo Hong Kong Alumni Association (HKAA) Chapter is the oldest and most active international alumni chapter.

 

2186 alumni are living in China.

 

50+ agreements exist with Chinese institutions for student exchange programs, joint academic programs, collaborative research and contract training.

 

19 distinct 2+2 undergraduate programs have been created in partnership with more than a dozen Chinese universities.

China is a top country of choice for international work terms outside of North America.

Waterloo Math/Computer Science contests are written by 2000 students in Hong Kong and Beijing annually.

Specific Accountabilities

Engaging donors, alumni and the wider international community (50%)

Work with  Advancement, Faculty and College colleagues to identify major gift prospects; and to create, implement and maintain solicitation strategies to secure private gift support and where appropriate, to support academic champions and volunteers in this process;

Plan and implement annual or special fundraising campaigns as required, working collaboratively with campus colleagues;

Build relationships with alumni, donors and potential donors, to engage them in the work and mission of the University of Waterloo;

Promote the Alumni program within Hong Kong and China; working with and supporting the University of Waterloo alumni chapters and their executives, maintaining the alumni list and organising or providing oversite for alumni events;

Collaborate with campus colleagues to provide outstanding stewardship to donors in Hong Kong, China and East Asia.

Liaise with Alumni Officer, International to help provide volunteer engagement opportunities for the alumni chapters in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

Understand donors’ wishes and aspirations and to identify potential links with key priority projects with the aim of securing major gifts;

Participate in the formulation of new and ongoing international strategy in relation to Advancement activities;

Event and visit planning (15%)

Be the main point of contact for key University visitors to Hong Kong and China and to plan and oversee the itineraries for some of these visits (President, Deans, Senior Staff);

Provide direction and administrative support to the Alumni Chapters in their event planning, and to organize key alumni events where appropriate.

Communication and Promotion (10%)

Represent the University of Waterloo to the wider international community, using press, PR, and other methods as appropriate and in partnership with UWaterloo marketing and Strategic Communications;

Liaise with UWaterloo Marketing and Strategic Communications, develop and maintain links with the press and media in Hong Kong and China;

Develop and maintain connections with government representatives and offices where appropriate or facilitate these connections for University leaders;

Be deeply familiar with the University Strategic Plan and priority projects.

Management and Hong Kong Foundation Administration (20%)

Provide leadership and management to any direct line reports (one administrative assistant or co-op position as planned). This includes effective allocation of projects and workloads, day to day management and longer term team planning, induction, supervision, personal development and training, setting of objectives, performance analysis and appraisal. Ensure the smooth running of the Hong Kong Foundation including the following:  gifts received are appropriately recorded for tax effective purposes, receipts issued and donors thanked in accordance with agreed procedures.  The Director will work effectively with the Alumni Chapter and the Board of the UWaterloo-Hong Kong Foundation and provide administrative resources to its operation

.

Manage the office budget. This includes making the case for resources, monitoring expenditures to ensure that resources are being utilised effectively and within budget, and preparing reports as required.

Manage the operations of the office on a day to day basis and ensure oversight for the facility and management of groups and colleagues who may utilize the office.

Co-operative Education (5%)

In the context of fundraising conversations with companies, seek and develop job opportunities for students. In particular, leverage local alumni networks for job development; once initial contact has been made, CECA will follow up with prospective employers.

Support student employment in Asia: in liaison with the International team in Waterloo, assist students who express an interest in working in Hong Kong / China in their job search;

Help mitigate risk for the University through job verification by contacting employers as required (‘at risk cases’, for employers who have not responded to the International team – 5 to 10% of cases);

Main skills and experience required

A university degree or equivalent education and experience, University of Waterloo degree an asset;

Extensive experience in fundraising, marketing, and/or relationship management, either in a major research University or a similarly complex organisation;

The capability of representing the University at the highest levels, both professionally and socially;

Project management experience and an ability to think, plan and act, both strategically and tactically;

An interest in higher education and in particular an understanding of the University of Waterloo, and its goals in teaching, research, and global prominence;

Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written; demonstrated ability to create promotional materials and proposals;

The ability to communicate in Cantonese and/or Mandarin is desirable;

The ability to promote the University of Waterloo to the wider community and to generate a level of interest which will support the University and its mission;

A combination of the personal sensitivity, creativity and tact that is needed when working with senior academics and prospective major donors to the University;

The ability to be flexible in all senses and prepared to work out of regular hours and to travel.

 

 

 

Qualifications:

University degree (Waterloo preferred) or equivalent education or experience, along with several years of fundraising, marketing and/or relationship management experience.   Proven ability to think strategically and work independently in driving new initiatives or enhancing existing programs and able to effectively articulate these initiatives.  This is a challenging and exciting role that requires a results-oriented and creative individual with demonstrated fund raising ability, relationship building skills, project management experience and communications expertise, including presentation skills. Able to represent the University at the highest levels both professionally and socially. Volunteer management experience is an asset. Excellent time management skills and demonstrated ability to meet competing deadlines in an organized manner.  Must have strong leadership and interpersonal skills; supervisory and mentoring experience is beneficial. Ability to work collaboratively from a distance, with several campus teams within a dynamic and fast paced environment. Understanding of higher education.  Experience fundraising in a university environment and/or complex organization is a strong asset. Travel as well as some evening and week-end work is a requirement of this position. Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office, and experience with Constituent Management Software (i.e. Raiser’s Edge) or similar applications required. The ability to communicate in Cantonese and/or Mandarin is desirable. This position is funded for an initial 1 year period.

Working Conditions