Advancement Officer

uwaterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Waterloo is seeking an Advancement Officer focused on alumni engagement to drive philanthropic support for Faculty priorities.

You will cultivate relationships with alumni and other stakeholders, manage targeted outreach, and develop strategies from annual gifts to major donations. This role requires collaboration with campus partners and a track record of successful donor stewardship.

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5 years of progressive fundraising experience in post-secondary education preferred.
• Experience in advancement, alumni relations, or donor engagement is an asset.
• Proven success in building and managing donor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement alumni engagement strategies to support fundraising goals.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni and stakeholders to secure financial contributions.
• Coordinate outreach, events, and programs to deepen donor commitment.
• Prepare proposals and solicit gifts ranging from annual gifts to major donations.
• Collaborate with campus partners to align fundraising with faculty priorities.
• Maintain accurate donor records and reporting in advancement systems.

Skills

Relationship management

Fundraising

Alumni relations

Communication

Strategic planning

Education

University degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID: 2026-03050

Time Type: Full time

Employee Group: Staff

Job Category: Advancement and Alumni Engagement

Employment Type: Permanent

Department: Faculty of Arts - Dean of Arts Office - Advancement

Hiring Range: $80,248.28 - $100,310.35

Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. The internal posting deadline for this position is October 22, 2026 at 11:59PM

Primary Purpose

This fundraising-focused position leverages alumni engagement as a strategic tool to drive philanthropic support for faculty priorities. The Advancement Officer is responsible for cultivating relationships with alumni and other stakeholders with the explicit goal of securing financial contributions-from annual gifts to major donations. Through targeted outreach, tailored programming, and strategic relationship-building, the Officer develops and executes fundraising strategies that inspire giving and deepen donor commitment. The Advancement Officer plays a critical role in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects, ensuring that engagement activities are aligned with fundraising objectives and contribute directly to the Faculty's advancement goals.

Key Accountabilities

Integrated Alumni Engagement & Fundraising

• Develop and implement specific strategies that build alumni affinity and support fundraising goals, including managing micro-campaigns, class giving and targeted alumni programming.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni through personalized outreach, one-on-one meetings, and targeted engagement opportunities that will strengthen their connection to the University and inspire support.
• Support alumni giving at all levels passing on prospects to colleagues to manage relationships, where appropriate.
• Build and maintain a portfolio of prospects with giving potential of $10,000 - $25,000, using Alumni Donor Experience relationship building strategies where possible.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to develop tailored solicitation strategies, gift proposals, and stewardship plans
• In collaboration with the Arts Alumni Engagement Officer and relevant Faculty colleagues, strategically mobilizes volunteers to enhance donor cultivation, stewardship, and advocacy efforts. These volunteers may serve as peer influencers, event hosts, fundraising ambassadors, or connectors-helping to expand the Faculty's reach and deepen relationships that lead to philanthropic support.
• Ensure engagement activities are designed to foster long-term relationships that lead to financial support, volunteerism, and advocacy.

Strategic Planning & Collaboration

• Participate in the development of annual advancement plans, contributing ideas for integrated engagement and fundraising.
• Work closely with faculty members to understand priorities and translate them into compelling cases for support and/or proposals.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues and teams across the campus (Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Alumni Relations, etc.) to align efforts and share insights.

Data Management and Reporting

• Ensure correspondence and reporting related to relationships with alumni, prospects and donors are managed and recorded in accordance with the Office of Advancement systems and standards
• Complete follow up correspondence, briefings and updates to alumni, prospects, donors and internal stakeholders.

Communication

• Create effective alumni and friends' engagement and fundraising materials for presentation to prospects/donors by coordinating content from Arts staff and faculty and working with Central Advancement and other university departments, as required.
• Develop solicitation proposals for projects tailored to the specific interests of prospects.
• Actively strengthen the uWaterloo and Arts brand through active integration of, and adherence to messaging, strategies and processes.
• Use social media as required to communicate and engage with target audiences.
• Proactively and consistently communicates with internal and external stakeholders

Required Qualifications

Education

• University degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, preferably in a post-secondary environment.
• Experience in advancement or alumni relations is considered an asset
• Demonstrated success in relationship management.
• Experience with the full scope of development activities including identification, cultivating, solicitation, recognition and stewardship is required.
• So