This position is for a Centre Manager at the Alberta Business Family Institute (ABFI), part of the University of Alberta. It is a hybrid role, combining remote work with in-person presence, primarily based at Enterprise Square in Edmonton, Alberta. The initial appointment for this role is for two years.
The Centre Manager leads the operational execution, relationship building, awareness, and program growth for ABFI. This involves balancing external engagement, such as cultivating relationships with business families and advisors and driving program enrolment, with internal execution, including managing program logistics, budgets, and communications. A key aspect of this role is growing ABFI's flagship programs like the Signature Event, Roadmap, and Forum, alongside various promotional and outreach activities. The position provides essential operational support, enabling ABFI leadership to focus on research, program delivery, and thought leadership.
Success in this role requires strong relationship-building skills, business development capabilities, marketing and digital communications experience, project management excellence, financial acumen, and the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously within an entrepreneurial academic environment.
Your Responsibilities
The Centre Manager will develop and implement enrolment strategies rooted in relationship building, conducting meaningful discovery conversations, and cultivating deep connections to achieve participation targets. They will build, nurture, and maintain long-term relationships with business families, advisors, sponsors, alumni, and strategic partners, serving as a trusted representative and ambassador for ABFI at external events and networking opportunities.
Leading the strategic planning and execution of community-centric events, including the annual Signature Event (attracting over 600 attendees in Edmonton and Calgary) and additional workshops, is a core responsibility. Fiscal stewardship involves managing budgets across multiple funding sources, such as endowments, programs, and sponsorships, and collaborating with the ASB Finance Partner to align financial resources with relationship-building initiatives and impact reporting.
Collaboration on impact-focused outreach will involve translating research and program impact into compelling narratives that strengthen community ties, relying on relationship-driven approaches rather than traditional cold marketing campaigns. Overseeing ABFI communication channels, including the website, newsletters, social media, and Table Talk Podcast logistics, will be crucial for community storytelling, ongoing stakeholder education, and sustained engagement.
Identifying and cultivating high-value sponsorship and partnership opportunities, developing collaborative proposals, and managing year-round, mutually beneficial relationships with national partners and sponsors are also key. This role provides guidance, mentorship, performance support, and day-to-day direction to a support team focused on delivering high-quality service to the ABFI community.
Operational support and backup coverage for the Executive Director will ensure seamless organizational leadership and continuity in stakeholder relations. The Centre Manager will also support the management of the family business research portfolio, including translational research, white papers, and teaching cases, to provide valuable insights and continuous learning resources to the ABFI network. Coordination of the research fellowship program involves engaging and maintaining relationships with global experts in family business while facilitating cross-faculty research collaborations. Finally, supporting ABFI Board strategic planning and contributing to advisory board committees will align long-term organizational goals with stakeholder needs.
Qualifications and Experience
Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Event Management, or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred. A minimum of three to five years of relevant work experience in relationship management, community engagement, or business development is required. A proven track record of enrolment or sales success, including responding to inquiries, conducting discovery conversations, and achieving targets, is essential.
Experience in planning and executing large-scale events with 200 or more attendees is necessary. Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, coupled with excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement abilities, are critical. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively.
Familiarity with social media platforms, digital marketing strategies, and content creation is expected. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment is important. Experience working with executives, business owners, or high-net-worth individuals is preferred, and a background in academic, non-profit, or executive education environments is considered an asset.
Salary and Benefits
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package. The annual salary range for this role is $80,772 to $111,086. The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule E of the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.
