Director of Advancement, Humanities, Social Sciences and Campaign

Is This You?

You are a collaborative fundraising leader who enjoys working with exceptional academic leaders to achieve fundraising success. You are excited by the prospect of leading the fundraising priorities for two complementary – yet distinct – faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences. You have an engaging and inquisitive nature and are personally interested in the disciplines of both faculties. Outside of your professional expertise, you are motivated by having a front-row seat to the brightest minds in Social Sciences and Humanities in Canada. To learn and then turn around and identify and motivate prospective donors would energize you.

You are an excellent connector – you can weave the thread across projects and priorities that share commonalities. You do this with the mindset that a rising tide lifts all boats. You can think on your feet and explore deep impact opportunities because you are prepared, you are a listener and have analyzed relevant data to make informed decisions to maximize impact. Working with two collaborative and respectful Deans does not intimidate you. You see your relationship with academic leadership as a partnership – and your role is to unlock their faculties’ potential by accessing philanthropic support. You see the full picture and know what it takes to provide a best-in-class donor experience, regardless of the gift amount, though you thrive in the strategy and planning that goes into major gifts at the $1M+ level. Building a prospect pipeline and working with a dedicated advancement team to do so is a welcome challenge. You enjoy working alongside highly capable advancement team members who under your guidance and coaching can continue to drive philanthropic support.

Lastly, representing a vital pillar for an upcoming campaign currently in the planning phases excites you. You have campaign experience and would add value to McMaster’s advancement leadership team to ensure the successful execution of the campaign. If this sounds like you, read on.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Advancement Leadership

• Lead fundraising strategy on behalf of two faculties – Humanities and Social Sciences, inheriting a team that is embedded within each faculty and implementing fundraising plans, pipeline development, stewardship plans and initiatives, and strategies to increase revenue for each faculty
• Lead fundraiser for the civic pillar of the upcoming McMaster University campaign. The civic pillar is linked deeply within both faculties
• Foster a culture of collaboration, integration, and service
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity through leadership, encouraging inclusive behaviour and practices
• Work alongside both Deans to translate their strategic plans into clear funding priorities
• Collaborate with senior faculty leadership and the Associate Vice President, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties & Units) to create advancement plans that align with academic priorities, building a compelling vision and case for support for major and principal gifts.
• Partner with University Advancement’s senior leaders to set goals and objectives, including annual professional development plans for continuous improvement and change readiness.
• Work with both Deans to establish volunteer support who can champion advancement among their networks
• Develop and implement plans with clear short- and long-term priorities for university revenue- generating campaigns
• Provide expertise and guidance as part of the senior administration/operational leaders group as required.
• Manage both faculty’s Advancement budget allocation, ensuring resources are prioritized to meet university objectives and outcomes.
• Work with University Advancement and faculty Advancement teams on prospect identification – with an emphasis on alumni and on prospective donors outside of the McMaster ‘ecosystem’ who would be interested in supporting research objectives of each faculty, e.g., housing policy, arts and culture, digital impacts on society and culture, etc.
• Monitor campaign and fundraising progress, recommending changes as needed, and reviewing solicitation strategies.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of each faculty’s research and teaching activities, needs, and priorities, matching them with potential supporters’ interests.
• Collaborate with University Advancement to support major gift announcements, events, stewardship requirements and related activities.
• Represent the faculties at relevant community and University events, locally, nationally and internationally.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy.

Team Leadership

• Oversee human resources activities for direct reports, including recruiting, onboarding, goal setting, performance management, development, and engagement initiatives.
• Motivate and mentor a team of development professionals, and be a collegial and collaborative colleague, offering leadership and support to colleagues across University Advancement, faculties and units.
• Attend University Advancement meetings to provide updates on individual and team activities and stay informed on development activities.
• Work with University Advancement to plan and execute McMaster’s next comprehensive Fundraising Campaign. Play the lead role in executing campaign strategies for the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences and the civic pillar by designing, implementing, and managing development activities related to the campaign.

Relationship Development

• Assist University Advancement’s senior leaders in engaging the President, Vice Presidents, senior university leadership, and volunteers in cultivating and soliciting principal gift supporters, ensuring appropriate briefings and follow-up actions.
• Collaborate with McMaster’s Vice-Presidents, Deans, University Advancement and volunteer leaders to identify and qualify new major gift supporters and develop engagement strategies.
• Liaise with the Vice-President of University Advancement, academic leadership, and advancement leaders on fundraising initiatives, including joint solicitation strategies and shared gifts.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit support from a portfolio of prospects, donors and alumni, collaborating with senior academic leaders, senior Advancement leadership, and key volunteers to increase engagement and financial investment.

Administrative

• Ensure compliance with fundraising and revenue generation policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the allocation of the advancement budget within the faculty and accountable for ensuring resources are allocated and prioritized to meet University objectives and short- and long-term outcomes.
• Timely update and report activities on the donor database (Ellucian Advance Web).

Qualifications & Competencies

• Proven track record in securing and closing $1M+ and complex donations and partnerships.
• Successful experience in major giving fundraising, preferably in post-secondary or complex organizations.
• Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity, applying this lens to fundraising leadership, strategy, and tactics.
• Experience leading and managing high-performing, donor-centred development professionals.
• Expertise in attracting and maintaining donor and supporter relationships.
• Donor-centred, goal-oriented, with a reputation for integrity and transparency.
• Comfortable and credible working with senior academic leaders, donors, and volunteers.
• Competent in understanding Canadian tax legislation and the philanthropic landscape.
• Able to work at high strategic levels, gaining and maintaining trust, and translating strategy into action.
• Experienced in staffing, supporting, and partnering with senior leaders on fundraising visits.
• Superior skills in critical analysis, judgment, decision-making, and relationship-building.
• Visionary with strategic thinking and a creative, entrepreneurial mindset.
• High initiative, tact, and diplomacy.
• Effective in a complex organization valuing collaboration, individuality, and creativity.
• Quickly develops a deep understanding of a research-intensive University’s mission.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills; skilled in writing proposals and development materials.
• Strong administrative skills in human resources, volunteer, and budget management, with financial acumen and comfort with data analytics.
• Proficient with computers and relational donor databases (Advance).

Application Instructions

If you would like to apply, please send your CV and cover letter to Lindsay Preston ([email protected]). Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require any accommodation, please notify Lindsay Preston.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, email your application to Lindsay Preston ([email protected])