Development Officer

Job Summary

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).

Job Requirements

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