Manager, Public Engagement & Alumni

Location: Ottawa/ Toronto / Montreal 

Reports to: Director, Engagement  

Status: Temporary 1 year, Full Time

Classification: Management

Salary range: CAD $74,909 - $93,636 per annum

Language requirements: English essential; bilingualism (French & English) will be considered a strong asset

Job posting: External

ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL 

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Cuso presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Find out more at www.cusointernational.org  

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Director of Engagement, the Manager, Public Engagement & Alumni plays a key leadership role in enhancing the visibility and awareness of Cuso International’s mission and impact. This position is responsible for developing and executing public engagement strategies that mobilize Canadians, inspire support for international cooperation, and nurture Cuso International’s global community of alumni, partners, and donors.

The Manager leads a small team, including a Public Engagement Administrator/Researcher and a Data & Alumni Specialist, and ensures their work contributes to building meaningful connections, amplifying Cuso’s storytelling culture, and supporting fundraising and partnership goals.

In addition to overseeing public engagement outcomes under Cuso’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) framework, the Manager contributes to organizational strategy and planning alongside the Director of Engagement and Engagement Managers. A core function of this role is to contribute to the strategic building of the Cuso’s alumni network as advocates, donors, and ambassadors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Team Management:

Supervise, mentor, and support the Public Engagement Administrator/Researcher and Data & Alumni Specialist, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

Translate organizational goals into team priorities, ensuring deliverables are met with high quality and on time.

Encourage innovation and creativity within the team, leveraging limited resources for maximum impact.

Public Engagement & Outreach:

Develop and execute a public engagement strategy, including virtual and in-person events, to engage alumni, volunteers, donors, and Canadians at large.

Represent Cuso at sector events, forums, and conferences, and secure strategic speaking opportunities for organizational leaders.

Maintain and build sector partnerships by actively participating in working groups and coalitions (OCIC, CanWaCH, AQOCI, Cooperation Canada, etc.).

Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing team to champion a culture of storytelling and philanthropy across the organization.

Support diaspora engagement to showcase Cuso’s impact, strengthen inclusion, and foster transnational philanthropy.

Alumni Engagement:

Contribute to the development of a national alumni engagement strategy that positions alumni as vital ambassadors, advocates, and supporters of Cuso.

Work with the Data & Alumni Specialist to analyze trends, identify opportunities, and grow alumni participation in events, campaigns, and fundraising initiatives.

Help design opportunities for alumni to contribute to Cuso’s thought leadership, advocacy, and recruitment efforts.

Resource Development & Stewardship Support

Partner with the Fundraising team to integrate public engagement and alumni outreach into stewardship activities.

Advise and contribute to the timely, accurate, and personalized alumni & donor communication.

Advise and support the development of capacity statements, cases for support, and GAC narratives.

Strategy, MEAL & Reporting

Provide leadership for public engagement outcomes within the MEAL framework, ensuring accurate tracking and timely reporting to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and other funders.

Set up and oversee a PE project database to track performance and impact.

Actively participate in annual work planning, strategic discussions, and cross-departmental decision-making.

Produce reports, presentations, and insights to inform leadership on public engagement progress and impact.

Other Responsibilities

Provide cover for other team members as needed.

Undertake additional duties as assigned by the Director of Engagement.

Contribute to discussions on Cuso International’s strategic directions and future opportunities.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS 

Essential:

University degree in communications, international development, public relations, or related discipline.

Minimum 7 years’ experience in public engagement, marketing, or communications, including at least 2 years of team management experience.

Proven ability to supervise, coach, and inspire direct reports, supporting their growth and success.

Demonstrated success in developing and executing public engagement initiatives, including virtual and in-person events.

Strong understanding of alumni engagement strategies and experience building community networks.

Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to adapt messages for diverse audiences.

Strong project management skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Experience with Results-Based Management (RBM), outcome mapping, or similar frameworks.

Excellent facilitation, stakeholder consultation, and partnership-building skills.

Significant knowledge of public engagement MEAL frameworks and experience reporting to funders such as GAC.

Tech-savvy, with strong knowledge of digital engagement and CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge preferred).

Proven commitment to gender equality, inclusion, and anti-oppression principles.

Cross-cultural interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and sustain relationships with a range of stakeholders.

Fluency in English and one of French or Spanish.

Ability to travel within Canada and internationally.

 Assets:

Experience engaging alumni or volunteer networks in an international development context.

Experience working with governments, donors, corporations, and international organizations.

Professional designations in project management, communications, or fundraising.

Bilingualism (French & English)

HOW TO APPLY 

Cuso is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation, personal days, and sick days, and more.  

Please click the “Apply for This Job” button to submit your application no later than March 31, 2026, at 4:00 PM (EST). Expressions of interest should be sent in English. Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet all the essential and any desirable qualifications. Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox. 

Cuso International is committed to the integrity of our volunteers, interns, staff, managers, board members and subcontractors in preventing sexual violence in the way we operate. This is done through a defined framework, code of conduct, values and guiding principles, as well as Cooperation Canada’s Leaders’ Pledge.