Job Description
POSITION TITLE: Associate Director, Development
(Three (3) year renewable contract)
DEPARTMENT: Advancement & Alumni
SALARY RANGE: $105,776 plus At Risk Incentive Pay
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Associate Director, Development will provide strategic leadership for major, principal, and complex gift fundraising efforts. The incumbent will advance institutional priorities through effective donor engagement, portfolio strategy, and team leadership, overseeing the planning and execution of major and comprehensive gift strategies to achieve annual and campaign revenue goals. This position will also manage a select portfolio of top donors. They will manage, coach, and support advancement staff to foster a high-performing, donor-centered culture, ensuring that all fundraising activities are aligned with the organization's mission, values, and long-term objectives.
Some of the key job functions will include:
• Fundraising and Donor Engagement
o Lead major gift, donor engagement, and campaign strategies to achieve annual fundraising targets of $1-2 million.
o Develop and implement fundraising plans, cultivate and solicit major gifts, and ensure effective donor stewardship.
o Collaborate with university leadership, faculty, and volunteers to advance philanthropic priorities.
• Human Resource Management and Leadership
o Lead, coach, and manage advancement staff, including performance management and professional development.
o Oversee recruitment, employee relations, labour relations, and other staff matters in collaboration with Human Resources.
o Foster an inclusive, collaborative, accountable, and donor-centred work environment.
• Portfolio Strategy and Performance
o Oversee donor portfolios, prospect management, solicitation planning, and fundraising performance.
o Use advancement data and analytics to monitor progress, forecast revenue, and inform strategic decisions.
o Ensure compliance with fundraising best practices, ethical standards, and institutional policies.
• Strategic Planning and Collaboration
o Align fundraising initiatives with university priorities, campaign objectives, and philanthropic trends.
o Partner with academic and administrative leaders to identify funding opportunities and advance institutional fundraising strategies.
o Provide guidance on fundraising policies and governance, represent Advancement and Alumni on institutional initiatives, and act on behalf of the Director as required.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful candidate will:
• University degree or College diploma in a relevant discipline (e.g., business, communications, law, science or nonprofit management)
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressive fundraising experience, with a demonstrated focus on high level fundraising and/or principal gifts and campaign development
• Experience managing high-value donor portfolios with defined annual revenue expectations in excess of a million dollars
• Experience managing and coaching advancement staff with clear performance expectations and revenue metrics
• Ability to work effectively with senior leaders to prepare and execute high-stakes solicitations
• Experience working in campaign or growth-focused fundraising settings
• Proven success initiating and closing significant gifts through direct, proactive solicitation
• Strong relationship-building skills with donors, senior leaders, faculty, and staff
• Demonstrated ability to use advancement databases, CRM systems, and data to inform strategy and decision-making
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated commitment for promoting and imbedding Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the delivery of strategic services
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Fundraising certificates are considered an asset
• Experience with Raisers Edge donor management software or Salesforce CRM software
• Experience supervising employees in a unionized environment
