Development Officer, Faculty of Science

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University seeks a Development Officer to maximize private financial support from alumni and partners. You will manage a portfolio, pursue program-based and prospect-based opportunities, and work with university leadership to grow giving through strategic outreach.

You will develop plans, write proposals, and coordinate with departments to align fundraising with priorities. A strong emphasis on donor relationships, reporting, and ethics guides daily work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (McMaster degree asset).
• Experience developing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders.
• Demonstrated ability to meet individual and team financial and activity goals.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders and potential funders.
• Develop annual and long-range action plans for securing financial support.
• Call on funders and accompany university leadership on calls.
• Communicate with funders to raise revenue at Major Giving level.
• Coordinate campus visits and donor cultivation activities.
• Run detailed fundraising reports and manage portfolio expenses.
• Coordinate volunteers and develop information kits and publications.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Relationship management

Time management

Multi-tasking

Computer skills

Database experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

McMaster degree is an asset

Tools

ADVANCE database

Job description

At McMaster University, we are driven by a shared purpose: advancing human and societal health and wellbeing. Through world-class research, transformative education, and meaningful community impact, we are addressing some of the world's most complex challenges and creating positive change locally and globally.

Consistently ranked among Canada's top universities and recognized internationally for research excellence, innovation, and student success, McMaster is home to more than 37,000 students, over 200,000 alumni worldwide, and a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, learners, and partners. From pioneering discoveries in health sciences and engineering to advancing social innovation and community wellbeing, McMaster's impact extends far beyond our campus.

As we look toward the future, philanthropy will play an increasingly important role in enabling the University's aspirations. Through strategic partnerships with donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, and community leaders, McMaster is creating opportunities to accelerate discovery, enhance student experiences, support breakthrough research, and strengthen its impact on society.

About University Advancement:

University Advancement serves as the bridge between McMaster's mission and the philanthropic community that helps bring that mission to life. Through fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, advancement services, and strategic partnerships, University Advancement fosters meaningful relationships that create lasting impact for the University and the communities it serves.

Guided by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation, University Advancement is building a culture of philanthropy that supports McMaster's strategic priorities and future ambitions. The division is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity as it continues to strengthen fundraising capacity, deepen donor engagement, and position the University for future campaign success.

About the Faculty of Science:

Established as its own Faculty in 1967, McMaster's Faculty of Science has grown into one of the largest and most research-intensive science faculties in the country. Across eight departments and schools—from Biology and Physics & Astronomy to Earth, Environment & Society and Kinesiology—nearly 7,000 undergraduate and 600 graduate students learn alongside more than 200 full-time faculty, 99% of whom hold a PhD, the highest share of any Faculty at McMaster.

This is a Faculty built on research excellence: it is home to 17 Canada Research Chairs, five endowed research chairs, and the University's only Canada 150 Research Chair, with faculty collaborating across more than 30 countries and securing close to $25 million in research funding annually. That research strength shows up in the world, too—from the neutron spectroscopy work that earned McMaster physicist Bertram Brockhouse a Nobel Prize, to a nuclear reactor that remains the only one on a Canadian university campus, to five research institutes and centres advancing work in climate change, biointerfaces, physical activity, the origins of life, and music and the mind.

What distinguishes Science at McMaster, though, is how directly students are drawn into that research culture. Every undergraduate has the opportunity to work in a lab or in the field, and more than 500 students complete a senior thesis each year under faculty and graduate student supervision. It's a Faculty whose more than 33,000 alumni carry that hands-on, discovery-first formation with them — and whose current momentum, from new research institutes to a bold philanthropic vision, makes this an exceptional moment to join the team building its future.

About the role:

The Development Officer will assist in maximizing private financial support to McMaster from alumni, individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources. Development Officers will support a portfolio that will be either program based or prospect based, while following the underlying goals and priorities as directed by team leaders.

In this role, the immediate priority is the identification and qualification accountabilities below, applied at volume across the Faculty's alumni base in support of the new centennial-anchored giving initiative with portfolio management and direct solicitation growing over time as that pipeline matures.

Accountabilities:

• In consultation with the leader and fundraising staff, support the development of strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders and potential funders.
• Support the development of annual and long-range action plans for securing financial support from a portfolio of potential funders, which includes assisting with outlining goals and objectives as well as detailed timelines and strategies, as directed by supervisor.
• Assist with developing advocacy and support by calling on potential funders and accompanying University leadership and key volunteers on corporate and foundation calls, as directed by supervisor.
• In consultation with supervisor, communication with funders to raise new revenue at the Major Giving level in line with targets established by supervisor.
• Maintain a professional and cooperative relationship with funders and other supporters.
• Support the evaluation of gift capacity and funder interest, with assistance from supervisor.
• Act as a first point of contact between funders and other University departments to resolve, or escalation, issues arising from changes in University or government policies which have an impact on the funder's original intentions or expectations.
• Utilizing standardized documents, write detailed proposal and gift documentation to individuals, foundations, corporations and other potential funders aligning their philanthropic interests with University fundraising priorities, as appropriate.
• Utilizing standardized documents, write gift agreements, and stewardship plans geared to accountability, donor recognition and securing ongoing support, as appropriate.
• Write a variety of documents, including but not limited to, correspondence, contact reports, and briefing notes.
• Run detailed reports on fundraising goals and performance.
• Complete and submit development-related expenses within the Development Officer’s portfolio
• Compile and review funder data that is used to contribute to the development of an analysis of a pipeline of potential funders.
• Manage volunteers connected to giving programs. This includes recruitment, orientation, training, recognition and on-going program coordination.
• Coordinate campus visits, contact prospects and participate in other cultivation activities to promote and enhance the University’s fundraising efforts.
• Utilize a sophisticated database to assist in the management of relationships and information.
• Gather and compile information on institutional and faculty fundraising priorities, research, and programs.
• Support visit set up and develop information kits and publications.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. A McMaster degree is an asset

Experience:

• Requires a minimum of 3 years of prior experience
• Experience developing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders and potential funders
• Demonstrated experience meeting individual and team financial and activity goals

Knowledge & Skills:

• Superior interpersonal, communication (both written and verbal), and relationship management skills required to interact with the funders and other internal and external supporters
• Extreme professionalism, excellent judgement and decision making abilities, as well as display tact and sensitivity Strong organizational skills and integrated approach
• Strong computer skills and experience with databases (ADVANCE)
• Excellent customer-service skills and strong service orientation
• Time-management and multi-tasking abilities
• Knowledgeable about McMaster University policies and guidelines; and University Advancement policies and procedures

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in‑person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [e-mail] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third‑party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.