Director, Philanthropy
Top Benefits
About the role
University Advancement
Thunder Bay, Orillia
Full-time
Permanent
Overview
About this Job
Lakehead University is Seeking an initiative-taking and organized individual to join our team as the Director, Philanthropy, University Advancement. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting the team in achieving the University's fundraising goals including an innovative Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (in partnership with the Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph University), University expansion in Simcoe County, Gichi Kendaasiwin Constellation (meaning higher knowledge in Ojibway) a bold vision to Indigenize education across both campuses, as well as continuing to ensure equitable education with a strong awards, scholarships and bursary program.
The Director, Philanthropy reports directly to the Associate Vice-President, University Advancement and works with the Vice-President, University Advancement, including Philanthropy, Alumni and Annual Giving, and academic leaders to inspire extraordinary philanthropic giving, through exceptional donor experiences, transformative gifts, and the building of relationships that last a lifetime. As an ambassador for Lakehead University, the Director, Philanthropy, is an important member of the University Advancement Executive Team. This role models a donor centered approach through their actions.
What do We Offer?
This position offers a competitive remuneration package including salary, a comprehensive benefits package, life insurance, CAAT Pension Plan, and tuition waivers.
Lakehead University has a commitment to supporting employees and providing opportunities for flexible and diverse work arrangements. We are proud to share the Alternate Work Arrangement Guideline as a step to creating an innovative and employee-friendly work environment.
Responsibilities
- Leads, inspires, and mentors Development staff to execute, and evaluate multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with university priorities, supporting academic programs, scholarships, capital projects, and other initiatives
- As a Director, Philanthropy, the incumbent will work in a senior capacity to assist in leading a Philanthropic program valued at over $4M+ annually.
- Working with a pan-institutional model the incumbent supports the development of an integrated community engagement plan, containing strategies related to individual, corporate and foundation donors, sponsors, and prospects
- Oversee Major Gifts streams ensuring the effective implementation and successful attainment of revenue goals.
- Confidently and effectively engage with business, social and community leaders (a portfolio of approximately 50 donors and prospects) to create strong bonds and allegiance to Lakehead University. Model good moves management practices while guiding, individualized prospect management plan to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors. Other models of behaviour include call reports, briefing notes and ensuring the donor database is updated in a timeline manner
- Collaborate closely with Donor Experience & Advancement Services and Alumni & Annual to ensure a coordinated approach
- Works with research & analytics to ensure a solid pipeline aligned with University Priorities respecting donors’ interests and how they bridge to University’s needs
- Support the President, Vice-President External Relations, Associate Vice-President & Campaign Director, and Deans as well as key volunteers for donor and prospect calls, events, and visits
- Identifies and supports models that transcend across Alumni, Annual and Major Gifts to present opportunities for all areas to succeed.
- Monitors giving trends, best practices and devises on-going strategies to successfully build strong relations with major and legacy donors.
Qualifications
- Post-secondary degree/diploma in philanthropy, social sciences, business, community development or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least five years’ experience in the non-profit sector with specific experience in securing major gifts at the $25,000 plus level.
- Knowledge of and experience with closing gifts.
- Knowledge of and experience with Windows, Microsoft Office, and Fundraising Software
- Proven progressively responsible experience in a senior role with fundraising duties
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the field of philanthropy
- Proven leadership experience working in high performance, team environment, including experience managing fundraising professionals and supporting high-profile volunteers
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills
- Ability to perform well under pressure and manage competing priorities
- Superlative people skills and ability to effectively serve a broad variety of demanding internal and external clients
- Exceptional communication skills, particularly writing and editing are required
- Strong computing skills, particularly word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
- Time management skills to set priorities and objectives. Develop practical work plans for the achievement of results within the context of competing demands as well as time and financial limitations.
- Management skills to directly supervise fundraising staff.
- Skills to prepare $100,000+ proposals, reports, and memoranda to a broad variety of internal and external markets.
- Budget skills to develop and manage their portion of the Major and Legacy Gifts budget.
- Planning and implementation to put current plans into action as well as to think strategically about the future.
- Ability to participate as a Team member and provide leadership as a director.
Benefit Information
Why Lakehead?
Application Deadline:
Monday, July 14, 2025 - 11:59pm
Salary:
Band 9 ($87,128.13 - $108,909.56)
Working Conditions:
On Site
Contact Information:
humanres@lakeheadu.ca
Reference Number:
SCHII-25-35
Application Deadline:
Monday, July 14, 2025 - 11:59pm
Salary:
Band 9 ($87,128.13 - $108,909.56)
Working Conditions:
On Site
Yes, eligible for benefits
Contact Information:
humanres@lakeheadu.ca
Reference Number:
SCHII-25-35
About Lakehead University
Lakehead University offers an exceptional and unconventional education that can help you become who you want to be.
The University’s focus is nurturing scholarship. Lakehead is an innovative, comprehensive university that values the potential in all its students, giving them the highest chance of success. For every student who knows what they want to achieve and is committed to their own success, we provide an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community.
Over 8,700 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at Lakehead Orillia and Lakehead Thunder Bay, home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years. Lakehead is consistently among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities in Maclean’s Magazine University Rankings), as well as ranking highly in Canada for its innovative research (Re$earch Infosource).
Lakehead Orillia maintains its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) status.
Click the link to take a virtual or an in-person tour - www.lakeheadu.ca/future-students/campus-tours
Click the link to ask questions about Lakehead University - www.lakeheadu.ca/studentcentral/ask-lakehead
For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.
Director, Philanthropy
Top Benefits
About the role
University Advancement
Thunder Bay, Orillia
Full-time
Permanent
Overview
About this Job
Lakehead University is Seeking an initiative-taking and organized individual to join our team as the Director, Philanthropy, University Advancement. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting the team in achieving the University's fundraising goals including an innovative Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (in partnership with the Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph University), University expansion in Simcoe County, Gichi Kendaasiwin Constellation (meaning higher knowledge in Ojibway) a bold vision to Indigenize education across both campuses, as well as continuing to ensure equitable education with a strong awards, scholarships and bursary program.
The Director, Philanthropy reports directly to the Associate Vice-President, University Advancement and works with the Vice-President, University Advancement, including Philanthropy, Alumni and Annual Giving, and academic leaders to inspire extraordinary philanthropic giving, through exceptional donor experiences, transformative gifts, and the building of relationships that last a lifetime. As an ambassador for Lakehead University, the Director, Philanthropy, is an important member of the University Advancement Executive Team. This role models a donor centered approach through their actions.
What do We Offer?
This position offers a competitive remuneration package including salary, a comprehensive benefits package, life insurance, CAAT Pension Plan, and tuition waivers.
Lakehead University has a commitment to supporting employees and providing opportunities for flexible and diverse work arrangements. We are proud to share the Alternate Work Arrangement Guideline as a step to creating an innovative and employee-friendly work environment.
Responsibilities
- Leads, inspires, and mentors Development staff to execute, and evaluate multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with university priorities, supporting academic programs, scholarships, capital projects, and other initiatives
- As a Director, Philanthropy, the incumbent will work in a senior capacity to assist in leading a Philanthropic program valued at over $4M+ annually.
- Working with a pan-institutional model the incumbent supports the development of an integrated community engagement plan, containing strategies related to individual, corporate and foundation donors, sponsors, and prospects
- Oversee Major Gifts streams ensuring the effective implementation and successful attainment of revenue goals.
- Confidently and effectively engage with business, social and community leaders (a portfolio of approximately 50 donors and prospects) to create strong bonds and allegiance to Lakehead University. Model good moves management practices while guiding, individualized prospect management plan to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors. Other models of behaviour include call reports, briefing notes and ensuring the donor database is updated in a timeline manner
- Collaborate closely with Donor Experience & Advancement Services and Alumni & Annual to ensure a coordinated approach
- Works with research & analytics to ensure a solid pipeline aligned with University Priorities respecting donors’ interests and how they bridge to University’s needs
- Support the President, Vice-President External Relations, Associate Vice-President & Campaign Director, and Deans as well as key volunteers for donor and prospect calls, events, and visits
- Identifies and supports models that transcend across Alumni, Annual and Major Gifts to present opportunities for all areas to succeed.
- Monitors giving trends, best practices and devises on-going strategies to successfully build strong relations with major and legacy donors.
Qualifications
- Post-secondary degree/diploma in philanthropy, social sciences, business, community development or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least five years’ experience in the non-profit sector with specific experience in securing major gifts at the $25,000 plus level.
- Knowledge of and experience with closing gifts.
- Knowledge of and experience with Windows, Microsoft Office, and Fundraising Software
- Proven progressively responsible experience in a senior role with fundraising duties
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the field of philanthropy
- Proven leadership experience working in high performance, team environment, including experience managing fundraising professionals and supporting high-profile volunteers
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills
- Ability to perform well under pressure and manage competing priorities
- Superlative people skills and ability to effectively serve a broad variety of demanding internal and external clients
- Exceptional communication skills, particularly writing and editing are required
- Strong computing skills, particularly word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
- Time management skills to set priorities and objectives. Develop practical work plans for the achievement of results within the context of competing demands as well as time and financial limitations.
- Management skills to directly supervise fundraising staff.
- Skills to prepare $100,000+ proposals, reports, and memoranda to a broad variety of internal and external markets.
- Budget skills to develop and manage their portion of the Major and Legacy Gifts budget.
- Planning and implementation to put current plans into action as well as to think strategically about the future.
- Ability to participate as a Team member and provide leadership as a director.
Benefit Information
Why Lakehead?
Application Deadline:
Monday, July 14, 2025 - 11:59pm
Salary:
Band 9 ($87,128.13 - $108,909.56)
Working Conditions:
On Site
Contact Information:
humanres@lakeheadu.ca
Reference Number:
SCHII-25-35
Application Deadline:
Monday, July 14, 2025 - 11:59pm
Salary:
Band 9 ($87,128.13 - $108,909.56)
Working Conditions:
On Site
Yes, eligible for benefits
Contact Information:
humanres@lakeheadu.ca
Reference Number:
SCHII-25-35
About Lakehead University
Lakehead University offers an exceptional and unconventional education that can help you become who you want to be.
The University’s focus is nurturing scholarship. Lakehead is an innovative, comprehensive university that values the potential in all its students, giving them the highest chance of success. For every student who knows what they want to achieve and is committed to their own success, we provide an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community.
Over 8,700 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at Lakehead Orillia and Lakehead Thunder Bay, home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years. Lakehead is consistently among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities in Maclean’s Magazine University Rankings), as well as ranking highly in Canada for its innovative research (Re$earch Infosource).
Lakehead Orillia maintains its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) status.
Click the link to take a virtual or an in-person tour - www.lakeheadu.ca/future-students/campus-tours
Click the link to ask questions about Lakehead University - www.lakeheadu.ca/studentcentral/ask-lakehead
For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.