Associate Director, Development

Ivey Business School at Western University; London; Hybrid; CAD 85,309 - 106,636; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Vacation starting at 15 days per year

Supports for professional development

Job summary

A leading business school in Canada is seeking an Associate Director, Development to manage a portfolio of major gift prospects. Responsible for cultivating relationships and executing fundraising strategies, the ideal candidate will have a university degree and over five years of progressive experience in fundraising or related fields. The role offers competitive compensation and a collaborative work culture focused on the development priorities of the school.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressive experience in fundraising work or related experience in sales, marketing, business development or customer relations.
• CFRE designation will be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of assigned major gift prospects, providing strategic direction to the pursuit of projected gift targets.
• Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of Ivey’s activities and priorities.
• Nurture and develop long-term relationships with alumni and key stakeholders.
• Research and analyze the giving potential of major gift prospects.
• Prepare tailored proposals and correspondence for engagement.
• Collaborate on joint fundraising opportunities with University colleagues.

Skills

Exceptional interpersonal skills

Superior listening skills

Excellent communication skills

Resourcefulness

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

University degree in business, communications, arts or related field

Job description

Position: Associate Director, Development

Location: London, ON or Toronto, ON

Hiring Range: $85,309 - $106,636

Application Deadline: Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 11:59PM.

About Ivey Business School

Ivey Business School acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where Western University and Ivey Business School are located. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of the community.

Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University (www.uwo.ca) is Canada’s leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey’s faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today’s leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

The Advancement department plays a pivotal role in nurturing enduring relationships which foster meaningful engagement, financial support, advocacy and leadership among alumni and other stakeholders globally. The development team, within the Advancement department, raises philanthropic and sponsorship support for Ivey, generally raising over $15 million annually.

Position Overview

The Associate Director, Development is responsible for increasing philanthropic revenue for the Ivey Business School by managing a significant personal portfolio of assigned major gift prospects; assuming responsibility for cultivating and soliciting support from them, both individually and/or in collaboration with the Dean, Executive Director, Associate Deans, senior faculty and volunteers. The Associate Director, Development, will manage a portfolio of approximately 80-100 major gift donors with an annual major gift fundraising goal of $1-$3 million.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of assigned major gift prospects, providing strategic and tactical direction to the definition and successful pursuit of projected gift targets. Assume responsibility for identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting support from them, both individually and/or in collaboration with the Dean, Associate Deans, senior faculty and volunteers.
• Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of Ivey’s activities, priorities and needs in teaching, research, and outreach.
• Nurture and develop sustainable long-term relationships with alumni, key stakeholders and members of the Ivey community.
• Research and analyze the giving potential and propensity of major gift prospects. Develop thoughtfully conceived and personally tailored strategies to engage and guide their involvement and eventual investment in the school’s development program.
• Analyze data and prepare written materials including tailored proposals, correspondence, briefing notes, progress reports, and planning documents as appropriate.
• When appropriate, manage ad hoc fundraising programs, such as Ivey Women Investing in Leadership. With the guidance of the Director of Development, this includes being responsible for volunteer management, developing program strategies and achieving financial targets.
• Partner with the Associate Director, Stewardship to engage in stewardship activities as appropriate.
• Collaborate on joint fundraising opportunities with Western University colleagues as appropriate.

Faculty Engagement

• Develop a strong understanding of research expertise through proactive meetings with faculty, attending events and faculty presentations to understand the relevance for potential donors.
• Engage faculty leadership in Centre’s and Institutes to cultivate, solicit and steward support for key fundraising initiatives.
• Analyze data and prepare written materials including tailored proposals, correspondence, briefing notes, progress reports, and planning documents as appropriate and collaborate with appropriate School administrators and faculty in identifying attractive opportunities for donor investment.
• Guide and support the participation of key university administrative leaders and volunteers in the process of cultivating and soliciting major gifts.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee work responsibilities and performance of the Senior Development Officer(s). Provide direction, work with them to develop clear goals, and ensure their success through regular feedback and support.
• Offer mentorship and support to team in navigating challenges or escalated situations.
• Working with the Director, Development to prioritize projects to manage workload for the Senior Development Officer(s) and identify additional projects and opportunities for growth within the role. Support the Senior Development Officer(s) in building their donor pipeline and strengthening relationships with potential donors to meet fundraising metrics and responsibilities, ensuring success in their solicitations.

Education & Experience

• A University degree in business, communications, arts or related field
• Five years of progressive experience in fundraising work or related experience in sales, marketing, business development or customer relations.
• CFRE designation will be considered an asset.

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire confidence and trust in alumni, friends, corporate and foundation stakeholders.
• Superior listening skills and the ability to interpret the concerns and interests of potential stakeholders and translate them into attractive opportunities for investment in the school’s development priorities.
• Ability to organize and manage a diverse range of assignments and projects with high efficiency, yet thorough attention to detail and follow through.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and writing skills, including the expertise to create fundraising materials and proposals.
• Resourceful and independent, but comfortable working within the framework of an integrated development program and team-oriented environment
• Appreciation of the mission, purpose and values of a comprehensive university and, more particularly, a teaching business school and its responsiveness to the educational and research requirements of a sophisticated international business community.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and be self-motivated in a very high pressure, fast paced and demanding work environment is required.
• Political acumen and problem-solving skills are required.

What We Offer

• A collaborative and engaging work culture
• Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
• Market competitive compensation with annual increases available
• Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, Health Care Spending Account, short- and long-term disability programs, no waiting period required.
• Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources.
• Life and AD&D insurance for you and your family.
• Out-of-country travel insurance.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Pregnancy and Parental top-up leave program.
• A generous group retirement savings plan with 7.5% employer contributions.
• Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days.
• Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure.
• Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events.
• Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey’s EDI homepage for more information on Ivey's commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey’s progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey’s EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodation

Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us at [e-mail] to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and/or throughout the recruitment process.

Application

If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

*Please note this is an existing vacancy and only selected candidates will be contacted.

Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Customer Service and Business Development

Industries

Higher Education