Development Assistant

Job summary

The Development Assistant provides comprehensive administrative and coordination support to a team of fundraisers to enable effective donor engagement. Responsibilities include managing donor correspondence, maintaining accurate data, coordinating meetings, and preparing briefing materials.

Job details

Department: Advancement ServicesPosition covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120 Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent. If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) General PurposeThis position is an opportunity to join a highly collaborative and results-focused team of passionate fundraising professionals in Alumni Affairs and Development at one of Canada’s leading comprehensive research-intensive universities. Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D)’s purpose is to maximize philanthropic support for the University of Guelph’s mission of creating unique solutions for the challenges facing our world. We achieve this purpose by building the kind of deep and sustained relationships with our donors, alumni and friends that increase awareness of, engagement with, and investment in the University of Guelph’s work. As a member of this campus-wide team, the Development Assistant epitomizes the department’s shared values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation, and forward focus. The University of Guelph is currently planning to launch its first fundraising campaign since 2014. The campaign aims to expand on the University’s recent fundraising growth so that AA&D becomes a team that consistently raises $ 75 M a year by 2030 (a record $ 55M was raised in FY24/25). By aligning donor passions with the university's ambitious goals, the campaign will boost revenue, elevate the university's global profile, deepen donor relationships, and create a highly developed culture of philanthropy across the University community. Institutional leaders and volunteers will be highly engaged in advocating for the university's global impact and the vital role of philanthropy in achieving this vision. Duties and Responsibilities The Development Assistant (DA) provides comprehensive administrative and coordination support to a team of fundraisers, including Associate Directors, Senior Development Managers and Development Managers. Working across portfolios, the DA plays a key role in enabling the effectiveness and efficiency of fundraising activities by supporting day-to-day operations, maintaining accurate data, and coordinating processes that underpin donor engagement. A core part of the role involves providing logistical and administrative support for donor and prospect activity. This includes coordinating meetings and prospect calls, preparing briefing materials in advance, and managing follow-up actions. The DA also supports general correspondence with donors and prospects, ensuring communications are accurate, timely, and well-coordinated across the team. The DA contributes to the development and maintenance of administrative tools and tracking systems that support the work of fundraisers. This includes maintaining individualized tracking mechanisms for fundraisers, compiling data for fundraising reports, and supporting portfolio management processes that help assess activity levels and outcomes. In addition, the DA supports donor relations and stewardship activities by preparing and coordinating a range of materials, such as acknowledgement letters and recognition pieces. The role also includes contributing to donor-facing and internal initiatives, such as event coordination and reporting processes. Requirements The university recognizes that no one individual will have the following skills/experience in equal measure but the qualifications below will be used to assess the suitability of candidates throughout the process: Two (2) year community college Related experience, preferably in a senior administrative support level in a fundraising Advanced computer skills with excellent demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft spreadsheet, database, internet and word processing applications Self-motivated with a proven ability to work independently Ability to assess priorities in a demanding work environment with tight timelines and multiple origins for work assignments Ability to multi-task Excellent organizational skills and attention to details Highly effective written and oral communication skills Superior interpersonal and client service skills Ability to exercise good judgement, tact and diplomacy; and competencies in the area of problem solving and decision making. Please include a cover letter along with your resume in your application. Why choose the University of Guelph Comprehensive Extended Health Care Benefits: Immediate enrollment in extended health to cover yourself and your family Time off: Strong vacation allocation, floater days, and paid time off during the December closure to ensure that you are at your best Wellness: In addition to extensive wellness programming, the University offers a yearly flexible spending credit that can be allocated to any of the following: Health Spending, Wellness or Professional Development Learning & Development: Learning and development curriculum and other professional growth opportunities On-campus Activities: Discounts on food and apparel, fitness programming, access to networking events and team building opportunities Improve Life: Work that directly impacts a brighter future by turning knowledge into action The university provides a flexible work arrangement. This position is required to be fulfilled both remotely and on-campus (Guelph Campus). Employee Type: Regular Position Number: 10394066 Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 4 USW Local 4120 Wage Grid At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. Posting Date: 09/17/2026 Closing Date: 09/24/2026

What you’ll do

The Development Assistant provides comprehensive administrative and coordination support to a team of fundraisers to enable effective donor engagement. Responsibilities include managing donor correspondence, maintaining accurate data, coordinating meetings, and preparing briefing materials.

Requirements

Candidates must have a two-year community college diploma and related experience, preferably in a senior administrative role within a fundraising environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are required.

Benefits

• Extended health care benefits • Vacation allocation • Paid time off • Wellness programming • Flexible spending credit • Professional development • Discounts on food and apparel • Fitness programming

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Customer service · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Administrative Support · Preferred
• interpersonal skills · Preferred
• Attention to detail · Preferred
• Decision Making · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred
• Data entry · Preferred
• Fundraising · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Administrative support
• Fundraising
• Database management
• Microsoft Office
• Spreadsheet management
• Data entry
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Client service
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Organizational skills
• Time management
• Logistics coordination
• Attention to detail
• Administrative Support
• Tactfulness
• Organizational Skills
• Sales Prospecting
• Diplomacy
• Results Orientation
• Time Off Management
• Reporting Processes
• Advocacy
• Planning
• Self-Motivation
• Research
• Investments
• Spreadsheets
• Decision Making
• Data Compilation
• Computer Literacy
• Event Planning
• Word Processing
• Empowerment
• Problem Solving
• Multitasking
• Operations
• Philanthropy
• Portfolio Management
• Team Building
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Coordinating
• Diversification (Investing)
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Administrative
• Education
• Management & Leadership
• Development Assistant
• Alumni Relations Manager
• Advertising and Public Relations Managers
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary