Senior Development Officer

Location

Waterloo, ON | Canada

Job description

As a key member of the Faculty of Science Advancement team, the Senior Development Officer (SDO) is responsible for the full scope of development activities related to the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of a portfolio of prospects, donors, and volunteers to the Faculty of Science and collaboratively with the greater University of Waterloo community.

The SDO will primarily focus on major gift development but actively use planned giving, donor relations and stewardship, annual and leadership giving, and information system based systems to advance the Faculty of Science and interdisciplinary projects and priorities.

Portfolio Management

• Initiates contact with potential donors; develops appropriate engagement strategies including working with senior university administration, the central office of Advancement and volunteers to maximize opportunities to support the Faculty through philanthropic giving; makes solicitations; and maintains stewardship contacts with donors
• Develops and maintains a good working knowledge of the faculty, and the University of Waterloo’s activities, priorities and needs in both teaching, research and student support
• Engages existing and potential donors; develops appropriate engagement strategies including working with senior university administration, Faculty of Science leadership, central office of Advancement leaders and volunteers to maximize their opportunities to support the Faculty through philanthropic giving; makes solicitations and maintains after gift stewardship contact with donors
• Using this knowledge, and in consultation with the Associate Director and other advancement professionals, creates strategies for each potential donor in their personal portfolio with specific responsibility to develop and implement a written donor strategy and relationship record of all interactions for corporate, foundation and individual sectors
• With a focus on major gift donors identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 120 individuals/corporations and foundations with the capacity to make gifts over $100,000
• Conducts 100-150 donor meetings per year
• Involve and oversee faculty, staff and volunteers in development activities, as appropriate
• Incorporates planned giving and annual/leadership giving into proposals and strategies, with support from the central advancement and support units
• Plans and executes event activities in support of Science advancement and individual priorities and strategies

Communications & Coordination

• Coordinates communication strategies to support donor strategies
• Creates fundraising materials suitable for presentation to prospective contributors by soliciting technical content from faculty members and working with the Advancement Communications Officer, Creative Services and University Relations as required
• Engages the Office of the President, academic support units, and other Faculty advancement teams to support donor strategies
• Develops proposals for projects tailored to the specific interests of prospective donors, in conjunction with faculty
• Maintains and updates databases to ensure meeting notes are recorded and significant moves are tracked
• Prepares follow-up correspondence, briefings and updates to prospects, donors and internal stakeholders
• Co-ordinates special projects and campaigns, as assigned
• Provides functional direction to staff and volunteers in advancement activities, where applicable
• Ensures effective team communication and coordination with key participants including colleagues
• Actively strengthens the University of Waterloo and Faculty of Science brand through the active integration of, and adherence to messaging, strategies and processes

Major Gift Fundraising

• Creates and directs the development of cultivation and solicitation plan, gift proposals for specific projects, including written proposals, gift agreements, oral presentations, volunteer management and ultimately stewardship and recognition plans and activities
• Organizes and trains volunteers to assist and promote the Faculty in all aspects of the advancement program including major gifts, alumni relations, co-op activities, government relations and communications
• Activities are focused at the major gift level but activities may include leadership and principal giving prospects and donors
• Participate in activities to develop and share new ideas that will result in better work practices and collective, team based success to achieve increased fundraising results. Provides input into the Faculty’s priority activities and projects

• University degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, as well as appropriate fundraising experience
• 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience in securing major gifts, including the full scope of development activities at the major gift level
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement development strategies for major gifts
• Successful record of accomplishment of developing and implementing strategies for major gifts solicitations with demonstrated success in personally securing and closing major gifts
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management
• Experience in an academic environment is an asset
• Excellence in computing skills; and knowledge of and proficiency with Constituent Management Software (i.e. Raiser’s Edge) or similar applications. This position must operate in both virtual and in-person advancement activities
• Knowledge of giving vehicles
• Proven competence in project management, multi-tasking, planning, analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal), public speaking and presentation (both virtual and in person), facilitation, and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently and effectively as part of a team with a broad mandate in a fast paced, highly computerized and challenging environment
• Willingness and ability to travel and work extended hours as required (some evenings and weekends)
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle required
• Valid passport required and availability for occasional national travel
• CFRE designation, or experience in academic settings, is an asset but not required

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations .

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at  [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

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