The University of British Columbia

Development Officer, Athletics & Recreation

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

Qualifications

  • University degree in a relevant discipline
  • 3+ years of fundraising experience or equivalent education
  • Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Thorough knowledge of university environment and academic structure preferred
  • Experience with fundraising systems and Microsoft Office required
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Administer fundraising programs, including strategy development and donor stewardship
  • Identify and cultivate major gift prospects and donors
  • Develop and implement strategies for closing major gifts
  • Manage a portfolio of 75-125 major gift prospects with face-to-face visits annually
  • Create proposals and solicitation materials for priority projects
  • Ensure appropriate donor recognition and stewardship programs are in place

Benefits

  • Collaboration with a hard-working team
  • Opportunity to influence sports and student-athlete experiences
  • Possibility of personal growth within the organization
  • Work within a supportive environment focused on relationship-building
Full Job Description
Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

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

Job Title
Development Officer, Athletics & Recreation

Department
Operations 3 | Athletics & Recreation | Development & Alumni Engagement

Compensation Range
$7,502.25 - $10,788.33 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 20, 2026

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

 

Are you a fundraiser with a passion for sport who wants to build your career with a collaborative, hardworking team? We're looking for a Development Officer to join UBC Athletics & Recreation's Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE) team. We build engagement and connection between UBC Athletics & Recreation and our network of alumni, donors and the sport community, supporting priorities across our varsity and recreation programs, from awards and student-athlete experience to facilities and program excellence. A personal connection to sport (particularly varsity), as a player, coach or fan, is an asset. This position will focus on our mid-level giving and sponsorship pipeline help ensure that our varsity programs, marquee events, and donors feel connected to their area of impact. We welcome your relationship-building, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to our supportive team of development professionals.

Job Description Summary

Responsible for administering fundraising programs, including research, developing strategy, preparing proposals, stewardship and moving fundraising accounts through the donor cycle and raising an average minimum of $.75-1.5M annually; or responsible for supporting development related activities of senior university administration by managing complex relationship with multi-unit stakeholders. Participates in comprehensive plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors. Assists in developing strategies for closing gifts.

Annual targets to be set by workplan goals and objectives. If position has direct donor contact, metrics are included. If no direct donor contact, annual targets to be set by workplan goals and objectives.

Organizational Status

Reports to: One of: Manager, Senior Associate Director, Director/Assistant Dean, or Executive Director of Development.

Works with: UBC faculty and staff involved in fundraising.

Contacts: Donors and outside community groups and organizations.

Supervises: May supervise Development Coordinators, Development Associates and support staff.

Work Performed

- Works in partnership with senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support for the unit;
- Develops and implements a plan for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors;
- Develops and implements strategies for closing major gift solicitations and coordinates staffing for major gift solicitations;
- Develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects (75-125) making face-to-face visits (100-125 annually) for the purpose of discovery, cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gift prospects (a major gift is defined as a donation of $50,000 or more); or is responsible for supporting development related activities of senior university administration by managing complex relationships with multi-unit stakeholders;
- Develops proposals and works with donors to generate gifts for priority projects, with an expectation to make solicitations (20-25 annually) at the major gift level; or administering fundraising programs, conducting research, developing strategies and preparing proposals;
- Ensures that appropriate donor recognition, acknowledgment and stewardship programs are in place;
- Generates donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence;
- Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The position is a critical point of contact for donors and university staff in relation to development 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 significant donations.

The position shares responsibility for ensuring proper interpretation and implementation of academic and fiscal policies. If inappropriate advice is given, policies are interpreted incorrectly, or erroneous financial information is provided, the University could be in direct violation of stewardship and trusteeship obligations to donors.

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

Works independently with general direction from manager to achieve objectives. Difficult technical problems and matters non-conforming to UBC policy can be referred to manager.

Supervision Given

May supervise Development Coordinators, Development Associates, and support staff.

Minimum Qualifications
University degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of 3 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
- 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
A degree in commerce, marketing or economics would be an asset. Requires UBC wide knowledge and understanding of priorities, projects and opportunities. Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is preferred. Ability to work independently while exercising good judgement at all times. Computer experience required; 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.
Learn more about The University of British Columbia
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