Development Officer, College of Dentistry

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Saskatchewan's College of Dentistry seeks a Development Officer to grow major gift philanthropy, engage donors, and diversify revenue aligned with strategic priorities. The role reports to University Relations leadership and partners across colleges to secure investments that advance patient care, education, and research.

The position emphasizes proactive donor engagement, strategic plans, and collaboration with clinicians and alumni networks to maximize impact on oral health

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent; CFRE accreditation is an asset.
• Experience in fundraising, preferably in higher education, healthcare, or complex organizations.
• Proven ability to meet revenue targets and manage donor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors for major gifts.
• Achieve annual philanthropic revenue targets of $400,000 in year one and $1,000,000 subsequently.
• Collaborate with University Relations and College leadership to align activities with priorities.
• Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans for clinical, student, research, and capital initiatives.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Relationship-building

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Undergraduate degree

CFRE accreditation asset

Tools

Donor database software

Job description

Development Officer, College of Dentistry

Primary Purpose: The USask College of Dentistry is one of the fastest-growing dental colleges in North America, with expanding academic programs, a strengthened research portfolio, and state-of-the‑art clinical and pre‑clinical infrastructure. This momentum creates significant opportunities to engage companies, industry partners, alumni, dental professionals, donors, and community stakeholders in meaningful partnerships that support student learning, clinical innovation, patient care, research advancement, and capital priorities. By connecting external partners with the College’s vision and impact, this role will help diversify revenue, strengthen relationships, and position the College as a leading hub for oral health education, innovation, and community engagement.

The Development Officer is responsible for increasing and diversifying philanthropic revenue in support of the College of Dentistry and the University of Saskatchewan. Working with donors, alumni, and community partners, the incumbent will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors to secure significant philanthropic investments.

The Development Officer will manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects and develop strategies to maximize support for the college’s strategic priorities, including student success, research, clinical programs, equipment, and capital initiatives. Through effective relationship-building and donor engagement, the incumbent will advance fundraising objectives and strengthen the culture of philanthropy within the College of Dentistry and the University.

Performance Requirement

The position carries significant fundraising responsibilities, with expected annual philanthropic revenue targets of approximately $400,000 in the first year and $1,000,000 in subsequent years, reflecting the growth and maturation of the donor portfolio over time.

Nature of Work

The Development Officer reports jointly to the Interim Associate Vice-President, University Relations, and the Dean of the College of Dentistry. In this role, the Development Officer works closely with colleagues across University Relations, as well as college leadership, faculty, clinicians, and staff, to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospective donors. Success in the position requires a collaborative approach to building and strengthening strategic relationships that advance the fundraising priorities of the College of Dentistry and the University of Saskatchewan.

This role engages donors in key initiatives; including clinical education, patient care programs, research advancement, and student support, articulating the opportunities and tangible impact of their financial investment in oral health and community care.

The Development Officer must develop an in depth understanding of College of Dentistry priorities, including clinical service delivery, infrastructure, and academic programming, and build relationships that advance leadership and major gift programs.

The work requires a proactive approach in a complex environment and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including alumni, dental professionals, patients, industry partners, and community stakeholders. Strong relationship-building and sound judgment are critical.

In University Relations, the nature of our work centers on our guiding principles of being:

• Inspiring: We are confident in ourselves and our goals. We instill confidence and excitement in others to bring them along with us.
• Committed to each other’s success: We look for opportunities to make all our teams and the University successful.
• Collaborative and integrated: We work together toward shared goals.
• Solutions- and action-oriented: We continuously seek a path forward, and we get things done.
• Brave and courageous: We expect to encounter obstacles. We face these challenges head‑on.
• Respectful: We demonstrate our regard for others through listening, understanding, and acknowledging the contributions of all.

Accountabilities

• Actively manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors, focusing on individuals capable of making major gifts to support dentistry priorities and campaigns;
• Achieve and sustain the required annual revenue targets ($400,000 in year one; $1,000,000 in subsequent years);
• Work collaboratively with University Relations and College of Dentistry leadership to align activities with institutional priorities and policies;
• Promote the College of Dentistry as a leader in donor‑centered development, oral health innovation, and community impact;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, alumni, dental professionals, and community partners;
• Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans tied to clinical programs, student support, research, and capital initiatives;
• Support college leadership, faculty, and clinicians in donor engagement activities, including preparing briefing materials and coordinating meetings;
• Prepare compelling donor communications including proposals, stewardship reports, and impact stories related to dentistry programs and patient care outcomes.

Education

An undergraduate degree and/or appropriate training and experience in a related field. Experience in a health science, clinical, or academic environment is an asset. CFRE accreditation is considered an asset.

Experience

Minimum of 2 years of progressive experience in fundraising or a related discipline, preferably in higher education, healthcare, or a complex organizational setting. Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding revenue targets is required. Demonstrated success in goal and priority setting, success in building and managing collaborative relationships, managing multiple projects, identifying target audiences, and managing prospect relationships and strategies through successful solicitation.

Working with and managing volunteers and an interest in community/stakeholder engagement would be preferred. Experience utilizing a computerized database to manage donor records for research and solicitation purposes, as well as knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan and an understanding of strategic planning, sales, events management and/or alumni relations would be an asset.

Experience working with healthcare professionals, alumni networks, or community stakeholders is an asset.

Skills/Competencies

Proven ability to meet ambitious revenue targets and fundraising goals; strong relationship‑building skills with diverse stakeholders; strategic thinking with the ability to align fundraising with clinical and academic priorities; excellent communication and storytelling skills, particularly in healthcare or community impact contexts; high level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion; ability to work independently and collaboratively; strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills; proficiency in donor databases and computer applications.

Department: University Relations
State: Permanent 10 months
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 8/13/2026
Closing Date: 9/3/2026 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity‑deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.

The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us for assistance.