Donor Experience Officer

McGill University

$73K — $110K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • 3 years of related experience in fundraising or business development
  • Direct fundraising experience with a strong track record in securing gifts
  • Bilingual in English and French, both spoken and written
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Proficiency with MS Office and client-server database software
  • Experience with cold calling is an asset

Responsibilities

  • Manage a portfolio of 500+ AFL donors and solicit gifts of $1,000-$24,999
  • Develop and implement strategies for donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship
  • Identify and assess donor interests to create tailored engagement opportunities
  • Promote McGill's key fundraising priorities effectively to AFL donors
  • Upgrade donor contributions from under $1,000 to leadership levels
  • Conduct qualification meetings and manage hand-offs to Development Officers
  • Collaborate with the Bequest & Planned Gifts office on Legacy gift prospects
  • Actively participate in McGill events to enhance donor engagement
  • Utilize Prospect Management System for activity reports and assessments
  • Lead special projects aligned with strategic initiatives in alumni engagement and fundraising

Benefits

  • Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance)
  • Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%)
  • Group RRSP and TFSA options
  • Generous vacation policy including 9 'Summer Fridays'
  • Tuition waiver for employees and their dependents
  • Remote work flexibility up to 2 days per week
  • Paid time off over the December holiday period
  • Personal days and floating holidays
Full Job Description
Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.

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Position Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Director, Annual Giving, the Donor Experience Officer performs a wide range of activities to meaningfully engage members of the McGill community in order to maximize philanthropic support for the University. The incumbent is responsible for securing Annual Fund Leadership (AFL) gifts for the University in the $1,000 -$24,999 range, developing and managing a portfolio of AFL donors, developing and building relationships within the McGill community, with a focus on pipeline development.

Main duties and responsibilities:
  • Manage a portfolio of 500+ AFL donors. Encourage and seek philanthropic support for McGill. Formulate and implement cultivation, engagement, solicitation and stewardship strategies to secure $1,000+ gifts.
  • Focus on securing AFL Gifts through identifying, assessing and engaging with donors. Leveraging an established best practice outreach strategy, actively engage with donors on a daily basis.
  • Leverage donor interests to build an effective case for support and suggested engagement opportunities for each donor.
  • Develop a detailed understanding of McGill's key fundraising priorities and promote these priorities effectively to AFL donors.
  • Leverage existing strategies to upgrade donors giving less than $1,000 to the Leadership level or higher, and meet with key donors to facilitate this process.
  • Engage in qualification meetings with key AFL-donors and ensure proper hand-off to Development Officers for further Major Gift conversations.
  • Work closely with the Bequest & Planned Gifts office to ensure effective collaboration on donors capable of making a Legacy gift, and handoff prospects where appropriate.
  • Participate actively in McGill events as part of an integrated approach to donor identification, cultivation and stewardship.
  • Participate in Prospect Management System; file timely and appropriate activity reports, assessment forms, etc.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of new initiatives that support the strategic direction of the University by keeping abreast of new developments and trends in the field of alumni engagement and fundraising, with a specific focus on digital outreach.
  • Meet goals and KPIs associated with growth and expansion of AFL pool.
  • Undertake special projects as assigned.


Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities
  • Direct fundraising experience with a proven track-track record of success in the solicitation and closing of gifts preferably in an academic/higher education or in business development in the private sector. Cold calling experience is an asset.
  • Results-driven, a self-starter, and highly motivated with a demonstrated ability to build constructive and effective relationships with internal and external partners.
  • Client-focused, with strong skills in listening, negotiating, planning, organizing, priority setting, analyzing, and problem-solving.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with strong presentation and written communications skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment autonomously and as part of a team.
  • Demonstrates discretion and judgment in his/her decisions concerning the sharing of privileged information.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of software solutions, including MS Office and client-server database software.
  • Ability to travel to key regions to meet with donors if relevant engagement opportunities create the business need to do so.
  • English, spoken and written; French, spoken and written.


As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:
  • Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
  • Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
  • Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
  • Competitive vacation policy
  • Two (2) personal days
  • Two (2) floating holidays
  • Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
  • Paid time off over the December holiday period
  • Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
  • Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits


Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree 3 Years Related Experience /

Annual Salary:

(MPEX Grade 05) $73,470.00 - $91,840.00 - $110,210.00

Job Profile:
MPEX-COM2C - Development & Alumni Relations - Professional 2

Hours per Week:

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Associate Director Annual Giving

Position End Date (If applicable):

Deadline to Apply:

2026-09-02

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