The University of British Columbia

Advancement Officer, Applied Science

Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
  • Minimum 2 years of related experience or equivalent education.
  • Experience in university project management or supporting senior executives.
  • Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
  • Willingness to respect diverse perspectives and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

  • Lead administrative and operational functions within the Development unit.
  • Manage the unit's budget and financial planning processes.
  • Advise senior leadership on policies and administrative guidelines.
  • Facilitate relationships with stakeholders to maximize support for the university.
  • Oversee donor recognition and stewardship programs.
  • Manage the prospect pipeline and ensure accurate donor records.
  • Supervise and train Development Coordinators and support staff.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and skills enhancement.
  • Collaborative work environment with diverse teams.
  • Access to university resources and networking opportunities.
  • Engagement in meaningful donor stewardship and recognition activities.
Full Job Description
Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Development & Alumni Engagement, Level B

Job Title
Advancement Officer, Applied Science

Department
Development App Sci Operations | Development & Alumni Engagement 2

Compensation Range
$6,949.92 - $9,992.50 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.


Posting End Date
July 14, 2026

Note:Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

 

Are you passionate about donor stewardship strategies and demonstrating meaningful donor impact? The Faculty of Applied Science is seeking an Advancement Officer to support and elevate stewardship and recognition practices across a diverse and growing portfolio. Working closely with our senior leadership and fundraising team, the Advancement Officer will deliver thoughtful and impactful stewardship across a complex faculty environment. This includes the planning and execution of events and recognition activities as well as developing tailored engagement and cultivation plans to enhance the donor experience and support long-term relationships. The role also supports key operational priorities, including maintaining accurate records and ensuring effective tracking and reporting of donor activity.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, detail-oriented professional with strong communication skills, a background in stewardship or advancement, and event planning experience.

JOB SUMMARY

The Advancement Officer plays a key role in managing the administrative functions for the unit. The incumbent is responsible for managing the ongoing operations of the development program within the Development unit. The incumbent develops and implements comprehensive administrative policies, procedures and systems that have a broad impact across the unit as well as being responsible for supporting development related activities of senior university administration by managing complex relationship with multi-unit stakeholders. The Advancement Officer is responsible for managing much of the liaison with other Development and Alumni Engagement portfolio units; responsible for managing the prospect pipeline as well as for delivering accurate and meaningful reporting.


ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS


Reporting directly to one of the Director of Development, Senior Director Development, Assistant Dean, or Executive Director, and working closely with UBC faculty and staff involved in fundraising, operations, finance and administration. In addition, is responsible for developing strong working relationships with key stakeholders, strategic partners, donors, outside community groups and organizations as required.


WORK PERFORMED


- Leads the administrative and operational functions within the DAE unit, including strategic and day-to-day needs, administrative and operational planning, overall workflow and information flow, including donations reporting and records while ensuring seamless and effective delivery of administrative and operational processes;
- Manages the unit's budget, and leads the financial planning process for the unit administration and operations, finding budgetary efficiencies and recommending and implementing savings and cost-reduction measures;
- Acts as an advisor to the Director of Development/Senior Director, Development/Assistant Dean/Executive Director, on administrative and operational guidelines, policies, procedures and proposals that have a significant impact across the unit;
- Works closely with the Director/Senior Director, Development/Assistant Dean/Executive Director of Development, and senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support for the University;
- Responsible for fostering complex relationships impacting donors, other campus units, other DAE units and colleagues and maintaining communications that are critical to the success of the fundraising program;
- Manages the liaison between the unit and other development and alumni engagement portfolio units (i.e. Research, Prospect Management);
- Oversees implementation of appropriate donor recognition; ensuring acknowledgement and stewardship programs are in place;
- May oversee and/or develop proposals and may work with donors to generate gifts for priority projects;
- Manages the donor pipeline, ensuring that donor records are up to date, and is expected to be an expert user of the Blackbaud relationship management system
- Manages and motivates staff, and is responsible for hiring, training and terminating staff, conducts annual staff evaluations, performance reviews, ensuring benchmarks and performance goals are achieved;
- Responds to donor enquiries concerning their gifts, endowment performance, expenditures and other general questions;
Remains informed of donor relations/development best practices across industries;
- Performs other related duties as required.


CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR


The position is a critical point of contact for university staff in relation to development and alumni engagement activities. Incorrect interpretation or communication of university policy and procedures or lack of tact, diplomacy or sensitivity in dealing with major donors and senior administrators could potentially result in damaged relationships and credibility, leading to the potential loss of these donations.


The nature of the work involves a high level of judgement and decision-making. The incumbent participates in decisions concerning the planning, organization and utilization of staff, providing input into staff selection and job performance reviews.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED


The incumbent works under general direction according to broad objectives. Works independently with discretion relation to policy administration and interpretation and administrative responsibility.


SUPERVISION GIVEN


Supervise Development Coordinators and support staff.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of 2 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant experience would be in a university setting providing project management support or decision making support to senior executives.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS


Knowledge of University policies and procedures, administrative management, fundraising and alumni engagement is desirable. Ability to think systemically about the multiple interrelations that take place within the University as well as with the external community, and how they affect positively or negatively the performance of the organization. Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail. Ability to obtain and disseminate information effectively and tactfully with individuals from all levels of the University and the external community. Ability to take initiative, analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve them. Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment, and to bring energy, motivation and enthusiasm to the job. Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities under pressure to meet deadlines in a hectic environment, exercising confidentiality, sensitivity, tact and discretion. Ability to work independently while exercising good judgement at all times. Ability to effectively use word processing, spreadsheet, scheduling, mail and presentation applications at an advanced level (MS Office preferred). MS Windows environment, Microsoft Office preferred. Experience working with a centralized fundraising system an asset. Ability to plan, co-ordinate and supervise the work of others, execute a variety of complex projects, and meet imposed deadlines. Strong verbal and written communication skills, both verbal and written, having the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with donors, co-workers and other campus departments.


About The University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, UBC is British Columbia's oldest university. The university is ranked among the top 20 public universities worldwide and among the top three in Canada. UBC is a research-intensive university and has an annual research budget of over $600 million. The university offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of academic fields. UBC has a diverse student population, with over 65,000 students from over 160 countries.
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