Assistant Dean - Development

University of Alberta; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alberta is seeking an Assistant Dean, Development to lead strategic faculty fundraising and donor engagement within the Alberta School of Business. This senior role partners with the Dean and Director, Faculty Development to drive philanthropy and campaigns.

The role requires extensive experience in major gifts, a track record of closing high-value commitments, and strong leadership across communications, alumni relations, and stewardship. Hybrid work is offered.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• Seven or more years experience in major or planned gift fundraising with a track record of closing gifts of $5 million+, preferably in higher education.
• Related experience in sales, financial services and business development will be considered.
• Strategic high-level thinker with an extensive background in managing a high-performing team.
• Ability to coach and brief organizational leaders on fundraising activities including operational planning, objective setting, and fundraising priorities.
• Experience in working with communications, marketing, stewardship and alumni relations teams to build relationships with donors and alumni.

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategic development and execution of faculty fundraising.
• Manages active donor portfolios with complex relationships and multi-interest stakeholders.
• Provides strategic leadership to the faculty’s fundraising team to guide development activities and donor engagement.
• Oversees donor relations with alumni, learners, and donors to build purposeful relationships.
• Plans fundraising priorities, campaigns, and pipelines; ensures effective communications and marketing for fundraising.
• Reports on progress toward annual fundraising targets and conducts quarterly/annual evaluations.
• Guides development initiatives and engagement between donors and faculty leaders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Fundraising experience

Stakeholder management

Donor relations

Communication & marketing coordination

Education

Undergraduate degree

Graduate degree

Tools

Fundraising tools

Job description

Job Description

Reporting jointly to the Dean of the Alberta School of Business and the Director, Faculty Development, the Assistant Dean, Development is responsible for faculty-based and, where appropriate, as a contributor to College and University-wide Development initiatives. Known as a strategic thinker and an aspirational goal setter, they embrace their shared role in sustaining the University of Alberta’s impactful development program and culture which galvanizes support for the University of Alberta’s vision, mission and values through campaigns and ongoing philanthropy. The Assistant Dean, Development holds a senior management position within the Alberta School of Business and must possess a desire to help drive leading fundraising practices in Canada, a commitment to strong fundraising results through developing and delivering on outstanding philanthropic priorities, and to enhancing the University's reputation as a world-class institution. The Assistant Dean, Development works collaboratively with the Dean, the Director, Faculty Development, senior administrators, academic teams, individuals and advisory boards to build and execute a strategic development program in the faculty that fosters strong personal and professional philanthropic relationships that result in contributions from individuals and organizations; and serves as a trusted resource, advocate, and spokesperson for fund-raising efforts. The Assistant Dean, Development works closely with other faculty and university leaders to build strong, supportive relationships with its worldwide community of students, alumni, public and corporate communities.

Location

This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work. Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategic development and execution of faculty fundraising
• As a senior fundraiser with significant experience in a post-secondary environment, the Assistant Dean, Development will be expected to hold an active donor portfolio managing complex relationships with multi-interest stakeholders
• Provides strategic leadership and direction to the faculty’s fundraising team to guide development activity, inspire accountability, success, continuous professional growth and attract philanthropic contributions to the Alberta School of Business
• Manages a high-performing team who are focused on building engaging, purpose-driven relationships with our academic and research leaders; our alumni; our learners; and our community of donors, partners and prospective supporters
• In partnership with the Dean and the Director, Faculty Development leads the planning and development of fundraising priorities and projects, including the development of prospective campaigns, prospect pipelines to support them and ensuring effective communications and marketing requirements are identified and implemented in building compelling cases for support
• Reports regularly to the Dean and the Director, Faculty Development on progress toward annual fundraising targets, including quarterly updates and annual performance evaluations
• Oversees strategy development, plans, activity, and supporting materials to ensure an excellent donor experience, including preparing effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for current and prospective donors
• Provides expert guidance and advice as a member of the faculty’s leadership team in establishing strategic development initiatives, key partnership strategies and goals for the Alberta School of Business, alongside leading the engagement between donors and faculty academic leaders
• Identify and engage volunteers as advisors to faculty fundraising strategies as appropriate
• Represents the faculty on university wide fundraising strategies and joint initiatives with other faculties
• Serves as a key stakeholder alongside Communications and Alumni Relations partners on communication strategies with alumni and donors through various engagement events and publications, and provides advice and appropriate vision and oversight on the implementation of all faculty related development communications
• Provides appropriate briefing materials to the Dean and other faculty academic leaders to execute strategies with donors; creates and executes plans to involve the Dean in face-to-face fundraising visits, ideally with the faculty’s top prospects, also scheduling visits with other faculty leaders as appropriate (e.g. heads of departments)
• Works to match donor interests with institutional and faculty priorities, develops funding proposals and negotiates and structures complex gifts to the faculty
• Works collaboratively with all University Development and other External Relations partners with responsibilities related to the Alberta School of Business, including, but not limited to, the faculty’s Communications partner; Alumni Relations partner; Events partner; Donor Relations and Engagement partners; and colleagues who work in the areas of Corporate and Foundation Relations; Planned Giving; Annual Giving; the Office of the Recording Secretary; Prospect Management and Research; the Scholarships, Awards and Financial Support office; and partners within the Research Services Office

Qualifications

• Undergraduate university degree required, graduate degree preferred.
• Seven or more years experience in major or planned gift fundraising with a track record of closing gifts of $5 million+, preferably in higher education.
• Related experience in sales, financial services and business development will be considered.
• A strategic high-level thinker with an extensive background in managing a high-performing team.
• Ability to coach and brief organizational leaders on fundraising activities including operational planning, objective setting, and establishment of fundraising priorities.
• Experience in working with communications, marketing, stewardship and engagement, and alumni relations teams with a focus on building strong, established and engaging relationships with the philanthropic and alumni community.
• Knowledge of a variety of fundraising tools and strategies for major gift fundraising and demonstrated experience with activities throughout the giving cycle including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the university’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with faculty and academic leaders, volunteers, and representatives from Development.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and commitment to engaging with these initiatives; a track record of success in moving forward these agendas in meaningful and impactful ways.
• Demonstrated high level of political acumen, integrity, discretion, decisiveness, and professional commitment, and the ability to build relationships, communicate, influence, advocate, and negotiate with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Skilled decision-making, including the ability to make decisions with the appropriate level of consultation and transparency expected in an academic institution.
• Ability to meet deadlines and juggle competing priorities in a high-paced environment.
• Travel to visit donors and prospective donors is required.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more .

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

About The Team

A career in Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Alberta positions you as a key player in creating this future. Bring your passion for relationship building and your belief in the power of philanthropy to the University of Alberta, and help deepen our dedication to excellence and extend our record of public leadership by playing a lead role in building a better province, a better Canada, and a better world.