Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

The University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 98,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia seeks an Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, to lead a major gifts program in Vancouver. You will manage a defined portfolio and drive donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities to meet annual fundraising goals.

In collaboration with senior leadership, you will craft strategies, coordinate proposals, and oversee donor communications, ensuring alignment with university priorities and donor recognition standards.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of five years of related job experience including experience in fundraising alumni relations, advancement experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects (75-150) making face-to-face visits (100-200 annually) for discovery, cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Develops proposals and works with donors to generate gifts for priority projects and strategies for closing major gift solicitations (20-25 annually).
• Works with senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support; creates comprehensive plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift prospects.
• Ensures donor recognition, acknowledgment and stewardship programs; generates donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence.

Education

University degree

Undergraduate degree

Graduate degree

Job description

Job Title

Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Job Title

Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Development & Alumni Engagement, Level D

Job Family Group

Staff - Non Union

Department

Corporate and Foundation Relations | Development | Development & Alumni Engagement

Compensation Range

$8,810.92 - $13,202.50 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Job End Date

Ongoing

Posting End Date

November 10, 2026

Note

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

This fundraiser position is responsible for generating strategic prospect contact at the major gift level. The Associate Director is responsible for managing a defined development program at an average $1.5+ million level, or resource development activity at an average $1+ million annually as well as for providing technical expertise and specialized knowledge to all development units, requiring specialized expertise in a particular area of development work. Responsible for managing a minimum of 75-150 prospects, making 20-25 solicitations and raising a minimum average of $1+ M annually.

The Associate Director works in partnerships with senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support; develops and implements comprehensive and complex plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift prospects and donors and develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and meets potential prospects on a one-on one basis. The position will ensure appropriate donor recognition, acknowledgement and stewardship programs are in place and oversees the generation of donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence, and will have some administrative responsibilities.

Organizational Status

Reports to: One of: Senior Director, Director/Assistant Dean or Executive Director of Development

Works with: UBC faculty and staff involved in fundraising including the VP, Development and Alumni Engagement, the President of the University and other senior administrators as appropriate.

Contacts: Donors and outside community groups and organizations.

Supervises: Normally Associate Directors do not have direct supervisory responsibilities, but will mentor junior development staff.

Work Performed

• Works in partnership with senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support for the University, with a Faculty/unit specific individual annual dollar goal;
• Develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects (75-150) making face-to-face visits (100-200 annually) for the purposes of discovery, cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects at the major gift level (defined as $50,000 and up). Responsible for coordinating and attending face-to-face prospect/donor meetings, with an expectation to meet annual benchmarks for these meetings;
• Develops and implements a comprehensive plan for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors. Responsible for management of a portfolio of relationships;
• Develops proposals and works with donors to generate gifts for priority projects. Develops and implements strategies for closing major gift solicitations, with an expectation to make solicitations (20-25 annually) at the major gift level;
• Ensures that appropriate donor recognition, acknowledgment and stewardship programs take place;
• Generates donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The position is a critical point of contact for donors and university staff in relation to development activities. The Associate Director is expected to make decisions and recommendations impacting a total development goal. Incorrect interpretation or communication of university policy and procedures or lack of tact, diplomacy or sensitivity in dealing with major donors and senior administrators could potentially result in damaged relationships and credibility, leading to the potential loss of these donations.

This position is also critical in advising and ensuring proper interpretation and implementation of academic and fiscal policies for fundraising, senior administrators, and development staff. The Associate Director is responsible for a portfolio of donors and prospects, as well as for an individual goal per annum. If inappropriate advice, incorrect interpretation or improper financial analysis were conveyed to major donors or senior university administrators, millions of dollars could be incorrectly administered or unavailable for disbursement. UBC could be in direct violation of stewardship and trusteeship obligations to donors and for funds received through bequests.

The incumbent participates in decisions concerning the planning, organization and utilization of staff, staff selection and job performance reviews.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works under general direction according to broad objectives. Works independently with discretion relating to donor negotiations, policy administration and interpretation, and administrative responsibilities. Overall strategic planning on global fund-raising initiatives is executed in consultation with the manager.

Supervision Given

May have direct supervisory responsibilities, and will mentor junior development staff.

Minimum Qualifications

University degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five years of related job experience including experience in fundraising alumni relations, advancement experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. A graduate degree and/or an undergraduate degree in commerce, marketing or economics is preferred. A minimum of seven plus years experience in their field of expertise, combined with post-graduate and/or specialized training, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Proven experience in Major-Gift fundraising and skilled in strategy development. Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is preferred. Experience working with a centralized fundraising system an asset. Strong conceptual abilities combined with high attention to detail. Effective communication skills, verbal and written. Ability to work independently while exercising good judgement at all times. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills required in liaising with major donors, corporate executives and senior university administration. Tact, diplomacy, discretion and sound judgment required. The incumbent should have the ability to plan, coordinate and supervise the work of others, in order to execute a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines .Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines. Proven ability to work with the University s senior-most donors to advance the University s mission. Computer experience required; MS Windows environment, Microsoft Office preferred. Ability to formulate strategic plans. Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills are required, along with strategic thinking and skills in conflict resolution.