Associate Director, Advancement Communications (Term)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 97,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Toronto seeks an Associate Director, Advancement Communications. This role involves crafting compelling fundraising proposals and engaging with key stakeholders to support the faculty's goals. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in advancement communications and a passion for storytelling to inspire philanthropic support. This position is full-time, offering a salary between $97,348 and $124,491, and is term-limited until January 2027.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in an advancement communications role.
• Experience crafting narratives for major gifts proposals over $1,000,000.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Write and develop fundraising proposals and impact reports.
• Lead meetings with senior faculty to develop support cases.
• Oversee the production of all campaign materials.

Skills

Compelling narrative crafting

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in English, communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Date Posted: 10/17/2025
Req ID: 45520
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Department: Office of Advancement
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00057411

Associate Director, Advancement Communications (Term)

About us

The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering is a world-renowned community of researchers and students dedicated to solving some of the world's most pressing challenges through collaborative and multidisciplinary research and experiential education. Through rigorous technical training, and unparalleled extracurricular and professional experience opportunities, we prepare the next generation of engineering leaders and change-makers to unlock the future’s potential.

The Office of Advancement works to sustain and enhance the Faculty’s academic mission, leadership and worldwide impact by engaging alumni and private-sector stakeholders. As part of Defy Gravity: The Campaign for the University of Toronto, we seek to harness the talent, generosity, and compassion of our global community to strengthen the University’s commitment to inclusive excellence and accelerate work on the most complex issues facing our world today.

Your opportunity

Under the direction of the Director of Campaigns and Major Gifts, the Associate Director, Advancement Communications will be responsible for developing compelling principal gift and major gift proposals, and translating the vision of the faculty and compelling fundraising priorities into donor-friendly communications. The incumbent will also support the development of campaign progress materials and updates to key stakeholders.

The role will plan and develop clear and concise content that is both informative and compelling to inspire and generate philanthropic support for projects that align with the goals of the campaign, faculty and the advancement office. The Associate Director, Advancement Communications will play a vital role in enabling the faculty to achieve its fundraising goals and build strong, positive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Your responsibilities will include

• Write, develop and research compelling and persuasive fundraising proposals and impact reports for individual donors, corporations, and foundations, and other writing needs for the major gift team.
• In conjunction with development colleagues, lead meetings with Directors, Chairs and other senior faculty members to translate their ideas into compelling cases for support.
• Overseeing production of all campaign materials from initial concept to final distribution.
• Developing charter, scope, resources and schedule for advancement writing project(s), including liaising with writers outside of Advancement to ensure work is completed on time and correctly.
• Provides support to the advancement team by proof-reading and editing donor communications.
• Provide consistent voice and tone for campaign and fundraising messaging for the team and faculty.
• Work with the Engineering Strategic Communications Office to produce content for publication featuring our donors and significant gifts to the faculty.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, communications or related field or equivalent combination of experience in communications.
• Minimum five years in an advancement communications role.
• Demonstrated experience crafting compelling narratives and writing proposals for major gifts proposals and impact reports at the $1,000,000+ level.
• Experience working with senior program members to elicit compelling stories for a fundraising narrative.
• Working experience with proposal, case development and campaign communications.
• Strong critical thinking and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work independently and as part of team to ensure that projects are completed.
• Ability to conduct focused interviews with constituents to develop content.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Teams.

Assets (Nonessential)

• Highly inquisitive and comfortable working with ambiguity to find clarity.
• Working knowledge of graphic design software.
• Experience crafting STEM communications.
• Strong familiarity with academic culture, including the cultures of research, teaching and student experience.
• Experience working with cross functional teams to complete proposals.

To be successful in this role you will be

Note: This is a term position ending in January 2027.

Closing Date: 10/28/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 15 -- $97,348. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $124,491. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building aculture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectivelyaddress and serve the interests of our global community. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples,Black and racialized persons, women, persons withdisabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment toequity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverseperspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential tostrengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please seehttp://uoft.me/UP .

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please [e-mail] .