Development Officer

Job summary

Develop and manage an assigned faculty or unit fundraising portfolio, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors and planned giving prospects. Create and execute donor strategies with university colleagues, meet annual fundraising and activity targets, and advise faculty or unit leaders on fundraising best practices.

Job details

Mandate Jointly reporting to the hiring Associate Director of Faculty Development, and to the Dean or unit head of an assigned portfolio, or a Senior Development Officer (SDO) if in place, the Development Officer (DO) develops and manages their assigned faculty/unit(s) portfolio by establishing and delivering an effective development and fundraising plan. The DO identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gift donors, and planned giving opportunities through prospecting, one-on-one meetings, and developing meaningful connections with donors, prospects, staff, and faculty members. Objectives Work with Alumni and Development colleagues to build a unit work plan to obtain annually raised major gifts in support of the Faculty/unit’s approved priority fundraising projects and in support of the University's mission and goals. Meet activity metrics outlined annually with supervisor including face to face meetings, qualifications, major gift solicitations, major gifts closed, stewardship actions and collaborative major gift solicitations. Achieve a personal fundraising target as determined annually. Develop detailed solicitation strategies and tactics for each constituent and work with the university colleagues to execute these strategies. Assuming a confident and informed relationship in advising on donor strategy and fundraising best practices. Work Environment The DO works both on and off campus, as appropriate, to attend in-person and virtual meetings and events with the Associate Director, Dean/unit Head, volunteers, faculty members, staff and donors. The DO maintains a working space within their assigned faculty/unit(s). This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience in the post-secondary or non-profit sector. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Include Demonstrated commitment to valuing the principles of truth, reconciliation and respect, equity diversity and inclusion, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment Proven track record achieving fundraising and activity goals Demonstrated maturity, self-confidence and poise to deal appropriately with a wide variety of people and situations from the student level to high-profile community leaders Open to learning and development, and willing to accept new challenges and assignments Proven track record of achieving project goals on time and producing high quality deliverables Effectively administer, organize, plan and manage time Use sound judgment in the wording and the inclusion of pertinent and sensitive information Assuming a confident and informed relationship with the Dean/unit head in advising donor strategy and fundraising best practices Act as a “university community member” who is mindful of work that may be appealing to a donor from other faculties or areas of practice and make connections within the university and community Assets Or Preferences A CFRE designation is preferred Knowledge in Development practices and processes as well as systems used for day-to-day business is an asset Proven experience in project management within a large, complex institution is an asset A strong knowledge and experience of university environment, policies, procedures and core business systems is an asset

What you’ll do

Develop and manage an assigned faculty or unit fundraising portfolio, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors and planned giving prospects. Create and execute donor strategies with university colleagues, meet annual fundraising and activity targets, and advise faculty or unit leaders on fundraising best practices.

Requirements

Requires education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree plus three years of relevant experience in post-secondary education or the nonprofit sector; an equivalent combination may be considered. Candidates should demonstrate fundraising results, strong organizational and communication skills, collaborative ability, sound judgment, and commitment to truth, reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and respectful working and learning environments; CFRE is preferred.

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Organization · Preferred
• Collaboration · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Critical Thinking · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred
• Fundraising · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Fundraising
• Major Gift Solicitation
• Donor Cultivation
• Donor Stewardship
• Prospect Qualification
• Planned Giving
• Solicitation Strategy
• Relationship Building
• Project Management
• Critical Thinking
• Problem-Solving
• Communication
• Organization
• Time Management
• Collaboration
• Judgment

Job areas

• Education
• Sales
• Management & Leadership

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