Associate Director, Philanthropy
About the role
Union (USW Local 1998) Current Vacancy - Alumni Affairs & Advancement
**Posting Date:**March 11, 2026
**Closing Date:**March 27, 2026
**Position Title:**Associate Director, Philanthropy
**Department:**Alumni Affairs & Advancement
**Pay Scale Group:**USW Pay Band 17
Salary:$106,257 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $135,881
**Type of Appointment:**Continuing, Full-time
Victoria University is committed to equity in access to employment and a diverse and inclusive workplace. The University encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department vic.hr@utoronto.ca.
Position Summary: Under the direction of the Director of Philanthropy, the Associate Director, Philanthropy will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting leadership annual gifts ($20,000 to $50,000) and major gifts ($50,000+). This will be achieved through a highly efficient process of coordination, administration and support for fundraising activity. The incumbent will assess the needs and contribute to the development and implementation of plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition, as well as determine the appropriate involvement of members of the university community and volunteers in the fundraising process. The incumbent will work closely with the Executive Director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement and with other members of the advancement team, in particular with the Senior Development Officer, Annual Giving & Stewardship.
Conducts the identification and solicitation of donors by:
- Cultivating and soliciting current and prospective Major Gift and LAG donors through tailored initiatives and campaigns
- Meeting face-to-face with current and potential donors to discuss giving interests and opportunities
- Developing and implementing strategic prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans using existing technologies
- Determining the appropriate involvement of members of the university community and volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation and recognition process
- Evaluating a prospective donor’s giving capacity and readiness to give
- Identifying, evaluating and recommending the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University
- Writing sensitive and complex donor-specific stewardship reports
- Conducting advanced research and analysis from a variety of sources to provide detailed background data regarding donors
- Writing briefing notes, solicitation plans and call reports to track donor interaction
Supports donor relations by:
- Providing innovative approaches to developing new programs and elements to the University’s advancement and fundraising programs and activities
- Preparing projects and plans that require a rigorous approach and attention to very fine detail
- Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
- Developing and implementing donor management and stewardship plans that support strategic objectives
- Interpreting gift agreement terms to ensure they comply with University policies and guidelines
- Drafting presentation materials
- Delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities and/or initiatives
- Handling sensitive and/or confidential information
- Drafting donor acknowledgment and recognition communications, donor gift agreements and presentation materials
- Interpreting and applying policies and procedures when making independent decisions
- Developing marketing/communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns and programs.
Supports records and data management by:
- Producing complex donor reports
- Generating reports to track fundraising progress against campaign goals
- Analyzing complex giving and donor trends/patterns and making strategic recommendations to senior advancement leaders
Qualifications Required: Education
Undergraduate degree and knowledge of development principles and practices, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience
- Minimum seven years of related and recent experience in fundraising
- Experience working with Arbor or a similar donor database management system
- Experience in conducting development-related research
- Experience creating donor correspondence from non-template documents
- Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Exceptional inter-personal and communications (written and verbal) skills
- Strong computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), and Internet
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Evidence of leadership, initiative, and creativity
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality
- Ability to set priorities and targets and to meet deadlines in relation to frequently changing demands
- Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment
To be successful in this role you will be:
- Accountable
- Courteous
- Efficient
- Possess a positive attitude
- Problem solver
- Team player
To Apply: **Internal Candidates:**Please submit applications online by logging into Dayforce. Visit https://www.vicu.utoronto.ca/careers/ and click Internal Opportunities to proceed.
**External Candidates:**Please proceed by clicking "Apply ".
Victoria University thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
About Victoria University
Victoria University prides itself on being excellent and inclusive. We are ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide, and we actively support students to reach their full individual potential. We are delivering the unique VU Block Model – a first in Australia.
After two years, this progressive, smarter way to undertake tertiary study has resulted in soaring pass rates, an increase in grade averages, and recognition from the International Education Association of Australia Excellence Awards for innovation and excellence in education.
VU is a university with strong ties to industry, with access to workplace learning opportunities that will give our students real-world experience, ensuring that they are work-ready upon graduation.
With 15 research disciplines ranked at or above world standard in the latest Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) assessments, VU Research offers preeminent research opportunities in sport, health and active living, and sustainable industries and liveable cities.
VU is also a global leader in sports science education. Its world-renowned Institute for Health & Sport fosters close relationships with over 350 sport-related partners including elite sporting organisations.
VU has more than 40,000 students from over 90 countries studying onshore and 5400 studying at VU’s partner institutions in the People’s Republic of China, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
VU continues to offer its diverse student body an accessible, flexible, internationally engaged and industry-focused education that produces job-ready graduates.
Find out more about the VU Block Model: http://www.vu.edu.au Search career opportunities at VU: http://www.vu.edu.au/careers
CRICOS Provider No. 00124K (Melbourne) / 02475D (Sydney) / RTO Code: 3113
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Associate Director, Philanthropy
About the role
Union (USW Local 1998) Current Vacancy - Alumni Affairs & Advancement
**Posting Date:**March 11, 2026
**Closing Date:**March 27, 2026
**Position Title:**Associate Director, Philanthropy
**Department:**Alumni Affairs & Advancement
**Pay Scale Group:**USW Pay Band 17
Salary:$106,257 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $135,881
**Type of Appointment:**Continuing, Full-time
Victoria University is committed to equity in access to employment and a diverse and inclusive workplace. The University encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department vic.hr@utoronto.ca.
Position Summary: Under the direction of the Director of Philanthropy, the Associate Director, Philanthropy will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting leadership annual gifts ($20,000 to $50,000) and major gifts ($50,000+). This will be achieved through a highly efficient process of coordination, administration and support for fundraising activity. The incumbent will assess the needs and contribute to the development and implementation of plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition, as well as determine the appropriate involvement of members of the university community and volunteers in the fundraising process. The incumbent will work closely with the Executive Director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement and with other members of the advancement team, in particular with the Senior Development Officer, Annual Giving & Stewardship.
Conducts the identification and solicitation of donors by:
- Cultivating and soliciting current and prospective Major Gift and LAG donors through tailored initiatives and campaigns
- Meeting face-to-face with current and potential donors to discuss giving interests and opportunities
- Developing and implementing strategic prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans using existing technologies
- Determining the appropriate involvement of members of the university community and volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation and recognition process
- Evaluating a prospective donor’s giving capacity and readiness to give
- Identifying, evaluating and recommending the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University
- Writing sensitive and complex donor-specific stewardship reports
- Conducting advanced research and analysis from a variety of sources to provide detailed background data regarding donors
- Writing briefing notes, solicitation plans and call reports to track donor interaction
Supports donor relations by:
- Providing innovative approaches to developing new programs and elements to the University’s advancement and fundraising programs and activities
- Preparing projects and plans that require a rigorous approach and attention to very fine detail
- Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
- Developing and implementing donor management and stewardship plans that support strategic objectives
- Interpreting gift agreement terms to ensure they comply with University policies and guidelines
- Drafting presentation materials
- Delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities and/or initiatives
- Handling sensitive and/or confidential information
- Drafting donor acknowledgment and recognition communications, donor gift agreements and presentation materials
- Interpreting and applying policies and procedures when making independent decisions
- Developing marketing/communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns and programs.
Supports records and data management by:
- Producing complex donor reports
- Generating reports to track fundraising progress against campaign goals
- Analyzing complex giving and donor trends/patterns and making strategic recommendations to senior advancement leaders
Qualifications Required: Education
Undergraduate degree and knowledge of development principles and practices, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience
- Minimum seven years of related and recent experience in fundraising
- Experience working with Arbor or a similar donor database management system
- Experience in conducting development-related research
- Experience creating donor correspondence from non-template documents
- Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Exceptional inter-personal and communications (written and verbal) skills
- Strong computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), and Internet
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Evidence of leadership, initiative, and creativity
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality
- Ability to set priorities and targets and to meet deadlines in relation to frequently changing demands
- Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment
To be successful in this role you will be:
- Accountable
- Courteous
- Efficient
- Possess a positive attitude
- Problem solver
- Team player
To Apply: **Internal Candidates:**Please submit applications online by logging into Dayforce. Visit https://www.vicu.utoronto.ca/careers/ and click Internal Opportunities to proceed.
**External Candidates:**Please proceed by clicking "Apply ".
Victoria University thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
About Victoria University
Victoria University prides itself on being excellent and inclusive. We are ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide, and we actively support students to reach their full individual potential. We are delivering the unique VU Block Model – a first in Australia.
After two years, this progressive, smarter way to undertake tertiary study has resulted in soaring pass rates, an increase in grade averages, and recognition from the International Education Association of Australia Excellence Awards for innovation and excellence in education.
VU is a university with strong ties to industry, with access to workplace learning opportunities that will give our students real-world experience, ensuring that they are work-ready upon graduation.
With 15 research disciplines ranked at or above world standard in the latest Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) assessments, VU Research offers preeminent research opportunities in sport, health and active living, and sustainable industries and liveable cities.
VU is also a global leader in sports science education. Its world-renowned Institute for Health & Sport fosters close relationships with over 350 sport-related partners including elite sporting organisations.
VU has more than 40,000 students from over 90 countries studying onshore and 5400 studying at VU’s partner institutions in the People’s Republic of China, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
VU continues to offer its diverse student body an accessible, flexible, internationally engaged and industry-focused education that produces job-ready graduates.
Find out more about the VU Block Model: http://www.vu.edu.au Search career opportunities at VU: http://www.vu.edu.au/careers
CRICOS Provider No. 00124K (Melbourne) / 02475D (Sydney) / RTO Code: 3113