Development Officer - (992857.2)

University of Victoria; Victoria; Hybrid; CAD 84,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Victoria (UVic) seeks a Development Officer to join Alumni and Development to advance major and principal gifts ($50,000+; $1,000,000+). The role collaborates with faculty, drafts proposals, and manages confidential donor files across campus and community partners.

This two-year term role offers hybrid work and requires a bachelor’s degree with several years in fundraising, plus a track record of meeting targets in a post-secondary or nonprofit setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of fundraising or related experience.
• Proven ability to identify, cultivate and solicit donors at major gift levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate major and principal gift prospects.
• Draft proposals, case statements and donor communications.
• Coordinate with faculty and leadership on fundraising strategies.
• Maintain confidential files and donor information systems.
• Meet annual fundraising targets and manage stewardship activities.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Relationship building

Proposal writing

Project management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Database management

Job description

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Organizational Unit

University of Victoria -> VP External Relations -> Development

Location

University of Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 CA (Primary)

Posting Close Date

Please note that positions will close at 4 p.m. on the closing date.

FTE

1.0

Salary Grade

$84,211.00 - $109,532.00

Additional Posting Information

N/A

Salary posted will be pro-rated based on FTE and achieved as per the collective agreement, if applicable.

Classification

SG12

Start Date

10/19/2026

End Date

10/20/2028

Employee Group:

PEA - Term

# of Hires Needed

1

Category

About this Opportunity

The world is changing. It needs our critical thinking to address today’s complex challenges. And the University of Victoria (UVic) is ready. Inspired by and honouring place, we are a community-minded, globally engaged university where we transform ideas into meaningful impact. The University of Victoria is seeking a Development Officer (DO) to join the Alumni and Development team and help connect alumni and community to UVic’s vision as outlined in the university’s 2023 strategic plan: Distinctly UVic.

The DO works with Alumni and Development colleagues and academic leadership to inspire major gift ($50,000 +) and principal gift ($1,000,000+) -level donations through authentic, trust-based relationships across campus and within the broader community. A typical day might include but not be limited to advising Faculty and unit leaders on philanthropic strategies, soliciting donors and qualifying prospects, drafting and editing correspondence, case statements, proposals and other communication pieces; research and stewardship activities; operations and project management; community relations; maintaining and updating confidential files and information systems, and liaising with all areas of Alumni and Development. This role provides the incumbent the chance to learn about and share initiatives that aim to address real-world societal challenges in collaboration with a diverse group of subject matter experts. The DO seeks to inspire transformational gifts in partnership with donors whose values and goals align with those of UVic.

The DO will work both on and off campus, as appropriate, to attend in-person and virtual meetings and events. They will maintain a working space within the Alumni and Development office and may also have touch-down spots within the various units they partner with. UVic seeks to provide a vibrant on-campus experience and responsive suite of services for our students, faculty, staff and community. Connections to campus, students, clients and colleagues are necessary to some degree in all roles.

About Alumni and Development:

Alumni Relations and Development is the division of the university responsible for creating strong relationships and building philanthropic commitment between the University of Victoria and its alumni, friends and community members with the goal of increasing personal involvement and commitment to the philanthropic support of the university’s academic mission and priorities. Development provides fundraising expertise and assistance and coordinates and integrates fundraising initiatives for the university community to achieve optimal long-term results with donors.

About the position

The Development Officer, Faculty of Science is a two-year term position responsible for developing and advancing philanthropic fundraising initiatives that cultivate major and principal gifts, such as:

• Identifying potential individual, corporate, or foundation major and principal gift donors.
• Developing a strategy to move potential donors toward making a gift to a faculty or other projects in which the prospect expresses a preference and interest.
• Working with the Dean/unit leader, Director and other appropriate individuals to develop and cultivate relationships with potential donors.
• Researching and preparing proposals and case for support material; drafting and editing correspondence, case documents and other communication pieces.
• Collaborating with senior leadership and Alumni and Development team members.
• Achieving a personal fundraising target as determined annually.
• Working within UVic and Development Office procedures, guidelines and policies.
• Adhering to national standards of ethical fundraising as set out by AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) and CAGP (Canadian Association of Gift Planners).
• Managing related administration, including maintaining and updating confidential files and information systems; creating briefing notes for faculty and university leadership for donor meetings.

*This position is eligible for a hybrid flex arrangement*

*Posting is ongoing until filled, but application review will commence on October 7, 2026”

The salary range for this position is:

• Recruitment range: $84,211 to $92,849. Starting salary is determined in accordance with the PEA Collective Agreement.
• Performance range: Up to $109,532. Progression beyond the recruitment range is available through annual performance increases, in accordance with the PEA Collective Agreement.

Job Summary

Mandate:
Jointly reporting to the hiring Associate Director of Faculty Development, and to the Dean or unit head of an assigned portfolio, or a Senior Development Officer (SDO) if in place, the Development Officer (DO) develops and manages their assigned faculty/unit(s) portfolio by establishing and delivering an effective development and fundraising plan. The DO identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gift donors, and planned giving opportunities through prospecting, one-on-one meetings, and developing meaningful connections with donors, prospects, staff, and faculty members.

Objectives:

• Work with Alumni and Development colleagues to build a unit work plan to obtain annually raised major gifts in support of the Faculty/unit’s approved priority fundraising projects and in support of the University's mission and goals.
• Meet activity metrics outlined annually with supervisor including face to face meetings, qualifications, major gift solicitations, major gifts closed, stewardship actions and collaborative major gift solicitations.
• Achieve a personal fundraising target as determined annually.
• Develop detailed solicitation strategies and tactics for each constituent and work with the university colleagues to execute these strategies.
• Assuming a confident and informed relationship in advising on donor strategy and fundraising best practices.

Work Environment:

The DO works both on and off campus, as appropriate, to attend in-person and virtual meetings and events with the Associate Director, Dean/unit Head, volunteers, faculty members, staff and donors. The DO maintains a working space within their assigned faculty/unit(s).

Job Requirements

This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience in the post‑secondary or non‑profit sector. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing the principles of truth, reconciliation and respect, equity diversity and inclusion, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Proven track record achieving fundraising and activity goals
• Demonstrated maturity, self-confidence and poise to deal appropriately with a wide variety of people and situations from the student level to high‑profile community leaders
• Open to learning and development, and willing to accept new challenges and assignments
• Proven track record of achieving project goals on time and producing high quality deliverables
• Effectively administer, organize, plan and manage time
• Use sound judgment in the wording and the inclusion of pertinent and sensitive information
• Assuming a confident and informed relationship with the Dean/unit head in advising donor strategy and fundraising best practices
• Act as a “university community member” who is mindful of work that may be appealing to a donor from other faculties or areas of practice and make connections within the university and community

Assets or Preferences:

• A CFRE designation is preferred
• Knowledge in Development practices and processes as well as systems used for day‑to‑day business is an asset
• Proven experience in project management within a large, complex institution is an asset
• A strong knowledge and experience of university environment, policies, procedures and core business systems is an asset

Territory Acknowledgement:

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Equity Statement:

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups .

Accessibility Statement:

If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact: [e-mail] Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.