Executive Search

Appointing a Senior Director, Alumni, Stakeholder Engagement and Operations to a leading Victorian University

Date Posted:21 January 2025
Consultant:Sharyn Gowans

Conducting an Executive Search for a Senior Director, Alumni, Stakeholder Engagement and Operations to lead the University’s Alumni Engagement plan and key stakeholder strategies.

Leadership Development Program for Group of 8 University

The Brief

Future Leadership™ was engaged by a leading Victorian University to appoint a Senior Director, Alumni, Stakeholder Engagement and Operations.

Leading a team of 29, including staff based in Indonesia and the USA, the Senior Director is a senior member of the External Relations, Development and Alumni team and is responsible for leading the University’s Alumni Engagement plan and key stakeholder engagement strategies including developing, implementing and measuring initiatives that include best practice governance, operational planning and alumni and stakeholder engagement strategies, programs and projects to increase engagement with the University, and in doing so, deliver benefits to both alumni and the University.

The Senior Director works directly with the Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Advancement), together with other members of the University’s senior leadership team including Provost, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Faculty Deans and Chief Marketing Officer on the development and implementation of alumni and stakeholder engagement activities for priority projects.

9.19.1

Candidate net Promote Score

Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.

10,000+10,000+

Candidates supported every year

We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.

50.5%50.5%

Senior Women Appointed since 2002

Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.

98%98%

Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002

Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!

The Process

Future Leadership™, represented by Sharyn Gowans, Partner, undertook a comprehensive international search process tailored to the University’s needs.

Key steps included:

  • Briefing and Strategy Development: Engaged with Key Stakeholders to understand the role’s strategic priorities and challenges.
  • Targeted Candidate Search: Leveraging Future Leadership™ extensive networks and database, the search was supported by an online advertising campaign to identify candidates with extensive experience in relationship management, both in Australia and internationally, as well as an ability to develop and sustain relationships across a range of cultures and countries.
  • Candidate Assessment: A Shortlist of four exceptional candidates was presented to the University including candidates from the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
  • Final Evaluation: Two top candidates were selected for interview which included a presentation to the panel.

This rigorous process resulted in the appointment of a candidate with an impressive track record and proven experience delivering exceptional outcomes.

Emerging Capabilities

01.

Strategy and Purpose

Develops and leads strategy for the function/organisation, taking a broad and long-term perspective. Communicates and gains buy-in to organisational goals and vision, promoting change initiatives.

02.

Culture and Engagement

Fosters a positive culture, creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Creates an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and facilitates a psychologically safe environment.

03.

Governance and Compliance

Establishes, champions, and measures the effectiveness of an organisation’s regulatory and reporting systems. Identifies and evaluates risks and develops strategies to mitigate risk.

04.

Stakeholder Relations

Establishes rapport with stakeholders, builds and sustains trusted and collaborative relationships. Identifies and draws on relevant and diverse perspectives and integrates them to support productive interactions.

05.

Communication and Influence

Communicates with clarity and impact to facilitate individual and collective understanding, inspire action and enable information exchange. Leverages human-centric communication and storytelling to effectively influence stakeholders across the physical and virtual realms.

The Outcome

A highly experienced Alumni Engagement and Advancement leader was successfully appointed to the position.

Formerly, the Director, Alumni Relations at University of Cambridge, the candidate brought a strong background in strategic planning; alumni engagement/events; philanthropic communications; donor relations and operational management.

Consultant

Sharyn Gowans

Partner, Executive Search View Profile
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