Associate Director of Development, Special Projects (Prospect Research)

Toronto Metropolitan University; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 79,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Toronto Metropolitan University invites applications for the Associate Director of Development, Special Projects. This role coordinates the Prospect Management System, analyses fundraising portfolios, and guides data-driven decisions to optimize prospect distribution and portfolio health.

The successful candidate will partner with frontline fundraisers, develop analytics dashboards, and support campaign planning and fundraising projections with a commitment to equity and inclusion and to

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in a relevant discipline.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible fundraising and development management experience.
• Experience with prospect management systems and monitoring advancement pipeline activities.
• Identification of targeted engagement pathways to advance TMU prospect pipelines.
• Excellent relationship-building and guidance of donor/prospect pipelines.
• Ability to build effective relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience with database administration, governance and standardizing workflows.
• Strong persuasive writing for reports and proposals.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and equity & inclusion initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Receives, analyzes and makes decisions on Prospect Management requests and updates the database accordingly.
• Partners with frontline fundraisers to optimize portfolios and tailor affinities and reassignments.
• Provides data-driven recommendations to align capacity with portfolios.
• Develops and maintains prospect pipeline analytics tracking giving and activity.
• Consults on prospect dashboards and reporting tools to analyze distribution and performance.
• Champions ethical use of prospect data and promotes best practices through training.
• Drives data and process improvements to strengthen data organization and accessibility.
• Supports long-term planning, goals, and forecasting through collaboration and analysis.
• Translates complex data into clear insights and actionable recommendations.

Skills

Prospect management

Donor relationships

Data analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

Persuasive writing

Education

Post-secondary degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Windows-based database

CRM

Job description

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world. For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada. In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

About University Advancement

University Advancement (UA)

is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise serving the priorities of TMU’s academic plan. Our mission is to build lifelong relationships, engaging alumni and friends, faculty and staff, and corporations and foundations, and matching their interests with the needs and priorities of the university. University Advancement at TMU is a dedicated team of professionals, committed to collaboration, diversity, and integrity, and to being trustworthy stewards of our donors’ investments. University Advancement especially welcomes applications from individuals who self identify as women, Black, Indigenous or a racialized person, who will be integral towards serving our highly diverse student population. If you identify as a member of one of these groups, we encourage you to let us know in your cover letter. We are building a culture of recognizing and celebrating diversity and welcome you to join us.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Director, Prospect Development, the Associate Director of Development, Special Projects will be responsible to coordinate the Prospect Management System. This role will analyze fundraising portfolios and pipelines to assess capacity alignment, coverage gaps, prospect movement, and overall health, using data modeling and screening results, and internal & external datasets. They will also provide advice to the Senior Director and the Prospect Development team on findings to support the delivery of new prospects to support optimizing all fundraising portfolios; and directs – through day-to-day prospect management activities – the movement of prospects to portfolios to better align prospects with fundraising projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Receives, analyzes and makes decisions on Prospect Management requests submitted to the department; and makes the necessary adjustments and approvals in our database regarding prospect assignments and their status in the database.
• Partners with frontline fundraisers to optimize portfolios by prioritizing high-value prospects and recommending strategic additions, removals, and reassignments aligned with capacity, inclination, and fundraising stage.
• Provides data-driven recommendations to support strategic prospect assignment and reassignment, ensuring effective alignment between prospect capacity and fundraiser portfolios.
• Develops and maintains prospect pipeline analytics that track giving, activity, and movement across our major gift stages.
• Consults on prospect intelligence dashboards and reporting tools to support analysis of prospect distribution, capacity alignment, pipeline growth, and fundraising performance.
• Champions strategic, high-integrity use of prospect data, incorporating emerging philanthropic trends, leveraging external data sources, assessing data reliability, and promoting best practices through database training and guidance.
• Drives data and process improvements to strengthen data organization, accessibility, and use in support of evolving fundraising objectives.
• Supports long-term strategic initiatives such as campaign planning, goal setting, pipeline integrity, and fundraising projections through collaboration and analysis.
• Translates complex data into clear insights and recommendations.

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in a relevant discipline;
• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience of progressively responsible fundraising and development management experience preferably in an educational environment.
• Proven experience in prospect management systems and monitoring advancement pipeline activities; and recommending actions to help ensure the flow of prospects is successfully moving towards cultivation is a strong asset.
• Well-developed expertise in identifying and recommending targeted engagement pathways—such as solicitations, events, and volunteer roles—to advance TMU prospect pipelines and support institutional goals.
• Expert relationship builder and speaker with a track record of guiding teams in donor/prospect pipeline and database workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Expertise in database administration, governance, and standardizing team workflows.
• Strong persuasive writing skills, specifically in the area of report writing; Demonstrated analytical and research skills to review and analyze and develop complex proposals and reports;
• A commitment to ongoing learning and implementing of initiatives centring equity and inclusion; Proficiency using: Google Workspace and applications (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Meet, Docs, Sheets and Slides) and a Windows based database, CRM and Zoom.
• Working knowledge of complex information systems, prospect tracking, research, charitable giving laws, basic financial planning and deferred giving programs.

Leadership Competencies

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

Additional Information (MAC)

Position Number(s) 20003301Reports To Senior Director, Prospect Development Department University AdvancementEmployee Group MACVacancy Type TermThis is a new vacancy.Work Location HybridStart Date ASAPEnd Date One year from start dateHours of Work 36.25Grade C51Salary Scale $78,550 - $125,475Hiring Salary Range 78,550 - $102,012TA Specialist -Posting Date October 19, 2026Application Close Date October 29, 2026

• Equivalent experience or a combination of equivalent experience and education may be accepted in place of education.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.