Position Information

Position Title

Director, Industry Solutions

Position Summary

The Director, Industry Solutions provides strategic leadership for the development and growth of industry-facing initiatives that advance the Polytechnic’s 2030 Strategic Plan: Productivity & Social Impact. The role is responsible for cultivating strategic relationships and partnerships that generate revenue and broaden institutional impact across fund development, applied research, corporate training, and investment activity.

Reporting to the Vice President, Development & Partnerships, the Director leads the design, development, and delivery of responsive, partner-informed solutions for industry, community, and key stakeholders. Working collaboratively across academic and administrative portfolios, the role identifies emerging opportunities, aligns internal expertise with external needs, and ensures the delivery of high-quality services that strengthen institutional reputation, generate sustainable growth, and create measurable impact.

The Director is responsible for leading a team that proactively engages the Polytechnic’s external stakeholder community and aligns their values and business interests with RDP’s educational programs and applied research initiatives with the goal of elevating fundraising and investment opportunities.

The Director also provides strategic leadership and management of fund development and partnership initiatives with a primary focus on major investments ($100k – $999k) and leadership partnership opportunities ($1 million and greater). This role requires active involvement in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, volunteers, and partners, including individuals, foundations, corporations, and government, to strengthen the Polytechnic’s partnerships and deliver transformational value for the students, businesses, and communities it serves (see Strategic Driver #6).

The Director, Industry Solutions will lead a team of professionals in the following areas:

• Partnership Development

• Business Development

• Operation and Administration Services

Position Responsibilities

Partnership and Development & Industry Relations

• Develop and execute the strategic direction and annual operating business plan for Industry Solutions in alignment with institutional priorities and market opportunities.
• Lead the development and stewardship of strategic partnerships that expand institutional reach, generate revenue, and support innovation and workforce development.
• Oversee the development of customized solutions, including contract training, applied research, consulting, and other partner-focused services.
• Build strong relationships with employers, industry associations, government granting agencies, and community partners to identify needs and develop high-value opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal leaders, faculty, and service units to ensure solutions are aligned, feasible, and delivered to a high standard.
• Lead business development activities, including partner engagement, opportunity assessment, proposal development, and key account stewardship.
• Monitor and report on performance measures related to revenue, partner satisfaction, project outcomes, and strategic impact.
• Prepare business cases, reports, and recommendations for senior leadership on opportunities, risks, partnerships, and portfolio performance.
• Oversee the financial, contractual, and operational management of projects and services, including budgeting, compliance, and risk management.
• Lead and support team performance while fostering a culture of collaboration, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Develop, implement, and assess fundraising/investment plans and targets on a regular basis to ensure achievement of revenue objectives (donation, investment & sponsorship) derived from leadership and major gifts, corporation, foundations, and the community.
• Manage RDP’s customized pipeline management system within the Raiser’s Edge Prospect Module to track donor asks, cultivation activity, stewardship commitments, prospect rating, revenue projection, financial reporting, etc.
• Act as a champion for the development of best practices, programs, and new innovative initiatives that contribute to increase revenues and investment into Red Deer Polytechnic, its programs, applied research initiatives and its students.
• Play a key role in ensuring RDP is recognized as leading and responsive partner for business, industry, organizations and individuals.
• Contribute to the success of the Polytechnic through proactive engagement and stewardship practices.

Alumni Relations and Partnership Development

• Provide strategic leadership that will contribute to increased engagement with the Polytechnic’s 80,000 alumni. Creating and implementing programming that celebrates their achievements and strengthen their connection with the Polytechnic – as volunteers, returning students, employees, advocates, donors and mentors.
• Build and cultivate the organization’s relationships with various stakeholder groups including business and industry, donors, sponsors, and investors.
• Act as an ambassador to ensure that the organization’s public image and reputation strengthens its ability to generate the revenue and investment needed to successfully achieve the Polytechnic’s 2030 Strategic Plan: Productivity & Social Impact.

Strategic and Operational Planning

• Demonstrate the ability to think strategically while exhibiting strength in the execution of transformative change and operational effectiveness.
• Lead and contribute to the development of annual operating business plans and other institutional plans that require external partnership and fund development revenue and/or investment support, including all campaign planning (i.e. HCALI; Rural & Remote Health and Wellness Centre of Excellence; CIM-TAC; Trades Expansion; etc.).
• Ensure operational plans are integrated and contributes effectively to the realization of RDP’s strategic plan, understanding risk management, integrated planning, data analytics, and institutional measures and targets.
• Work with other senior leaders to contribute to the reduction/mitigation of organizational risk by ensuring compliance across the organization with corporate policies, collective agreements, legislative requirements.

Division Leadership

• Build, develop, and lead a strong team of professionals by creating a culture of excellence and innovation, and implementing effective fund development and stakeholder engagement practices.

• Provide and encourage open, effective, and positive communication among employees.

• Act as a role model and foster key values of collaboration and customer service throughout the division.

• Act as a coach/mentor for direct reports.

• Facilitate a culture that attracts and retains key talent including clear and supporting performance planning and management for direct reports.

• Provides leadership in the strategic allocation of resources, creation of financially viable partnerships, promotion of revenue generating programs/initiatives and the effective pursuit of funding for new programs/initiatives impacting the financial and academic success of RDP.

Required Qualifications

• An appropriate combination of relevant education and experience is required with a strong preference for graduate credentials.

• Professional certification or designation within the field of expertise or relevant professional development (i.e. CFRE, CFP, PFP) would be beneficial.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in a leadership position, preferably in fund development, business development, and/or sales.

• Demonstrated experience and a solid track record of success in generating revenues, ideally through various partnership, sales and/or fund development initiatives.

• A strategic thinker with a background and accomplishments in brand management and reputation awareness.

• A coach that cares about people and their wellness. One that creates positive, high performing environments with strong, cohesive team of professionals focused on common goals and objectives.

• A team player with excellent interpersonal skills, high energy, entrepreneurial thinking, optimism, and enthusiasm for polytechnic education and what it offers learners and our external partners.

• A solid understanding of the post-secondary sector and the Alberta fundraising landscape would be desirable.

• Proven ability to achieve results by leading a team to achieve revenue targets.

• Experience working collaboratively and strategically with senior executives in a large complex organization.

• Proven ability to cultivate strong relationships and build a network of influence.

• Proven experience initiating and effectively leading change.

Salary or Hourly?

Salary

Salary

$133,671 to $162,478 Annually

Benefits and Compensation Information

Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee & Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to Institution closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays.

• Eligibility to access the above mentioned benefits is dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and Conditions of Employment and related RDP policies.

About Red Deer Polytechnic

Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic(RDP) provides more than 100 industry-relevant credit and non-credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non-credit and apprenticeship students. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community**.**

Posting Detail Information

Competition Number

2026-E-009

Employment Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

07/02/2026

Position End Date (if term-certain)

FTE

1.0

Hours of Work

Open Date

05/25/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Note to Applicant

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

At RDP, we are committed to a merit-based hiring process, and we believe in an inclusive workplace that is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. We recognize, value, and leverage differences in identities, abilities, background, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our practices are guided by the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. If you believe you have the skills and equivalent experience and potential to contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact Peopleandculture@rdpolytech.ca.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Resume

Optional Documents

• References Names and Contact Information