Position: Associate Director, Stewardship
Location: London, ON(on-site)
Position Type: Full-time, 3-year renewable contract.
Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy on-site at Ivey Business School.
Hiring Range: $85,309 - $106,636
Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Position Overview:Reporting to the Director of Development, the Associate Director, Stewardship, is responsible for building and executing a comprehensive donor relations strategy to steward significant philanthropic gifts from alumni and donors in support of the Ivey Business School. The Associate Director, Stewardship, will oversee the process of gift accountability with internal and external stakeholders and collaborate with front-line fundraisers and Ivey faculty and staff including Directors and staff of Centre's & Institutes to ensure that donors are being properly stewarded and gift agreements are adhered to, with an ultimate goal of deepening the interest and commitment of the School's donors. The successful candidate will be a champion of innovation and new ideas to further build donor engagement.
Qualifications: - Stewardship Management
- Develop and manage stewardship programs and activities designed to communicate the impact and value to donors, while deepening their engagement and providing incentive for future giving. This includes developing donor agreements, recognition systems, and ongoing comprehensive customized stewardship reports for assigned donors and groups of donors.
- Track and report on expenditures from all donor funds in collaboration with Ivey faculty and staff leadership.
- Manage all activity related to establishing Professorships, Faculty Fellowships and Chairs, and all other designations, regarding appropriate approvals from Ivey and UWO and provisions to ensure the donor's wishes are adhered to.
- Manage all activity related to infrastructure regarding appropriate approvals from Ivey and UWO and provisions to ensure the donor's wishes are adhered to. This also includes maintaining a tracking list of available naming opportunities and the development of signage and recognition strategies that align with Ivey, UWO and the donor's visions.
- Prepares briefing notes for the Dean, Associate Deans, faculty, and senior staff to support them in acknowledging and stewarding major gifts.
- Develop, in conjunction with prospect managers, personalized stewardship plans for significant major gift donors.
- Stakeholder Communications & Donor Activity
- Develop and manage an annual communications strategy for informing donors about the role of private gift support in advancing the Ivey Business School mission and to further relationships with major donor constituents.
- Manage a portfolio of assigned donors in the stewardship cycle with the expectation to meet with donors on an annual basis.
- Manage tours of the Ivey building for prospective donors and alumni.
- Write comprehensive stewardship reports on all award-based gifts, faculty-funded positions, special gifts and major gifts of $500,000 or more.
- Report to major gift donors and key constituents on the status of their investment, the uses of their gift, and state of the school.
- Oversee gift acknowledgment letters process, including message, tone, style, and policies to determine when acknowledgements are required.
- Write customized acknowledgement letters from the Dean.
- Gift Management
- Implement annual strategies and plans for the gift management and recognition systems to ensure appropriate, timely and highly professional responses in a manner consistent with the expectations of donors.
- Lead quarterly financial review meetings to ensure proper designation and use of donor funds, liaising within Ivey, and with Western University on donor funds.
- Ability to manipulate, analyze and manage data and gift information with key stakeholder partners.
- Management Responsibilities
- Provide oversight and supervision to the Stewardship Officer in the execution of stewardship reports, gift agreements, fund management and stewardship events.
- Evaluation and assessment of the stewardship portfolio on an on-going basis and the development of alternate and additional strategies as appropriate.
- Recognition Programs
- Manage Ivey's Donor Recognition Program which includes recommending and developing new strategies and policies when appropriate.
- Manage budget and provide oversight of the annual installation and updates to Ivey's physical Donor Wall.
- Education & Experience
- University degree with 5 years related work experience; experience in a fundraising environment preferred.
- Thorough understanding of corporate structures and knowledge of the Canadian business environment. Customer service experience in a professional environment.
- Skills & Abilities
- Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills, attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Extremely effective interpersonal skills with a professional presence and manner; capable of exercising independent judgment and flexibility.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write effectively and persuasively and to converse easily with alumni, major gift donors, faculty and other stakeholders of the school.
- Good computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite; demonstrated aptitude to quickly adapt to new technologies; demonstrated ability to enhance the professional presentation of materials produced.
- Knowledge of the administrative procedures of University and the Richard Ivey School of Business are an asset.
- Ability to work in teams or independently with minimal administrative support.
- Ability to understand and interpret information concerning financial returns on donor investments.
- A public relations orientation; tact, diplomacy, a well-developed sense of style and a strong instinct for social protocol.
- Event management experience is an asset.
- What We Offer:
- A collaborative and engaging work culture
- Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
- Market competitive compensation with annual increases available
- Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, Health Care Spending Account, short- and long-term disability programs, no waiting period required.
- Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources.
- Life and AD&D insurance for you and your family.
- Out-of-country travel insurance.
- Employee and Family Assistance Program.
- Pregnancy and Parental top-up leave program.
- A generous group retirement savings plan with 7.5% employer contributions.
- Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days.
- Paid time off during the School's December holiday closure.
- Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events.
- Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities.
Application:
If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.
*Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.
