Director, Advancement

University of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 89,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Toronto invites applications for the Director, Advancement at University College to lead fundraising, alumni relations and advancement communications. This role focuses on major gifts above $100,000, donor stewardship, and campaign leadership.

You will mentor staff and volunteers, develop major gift programs, and collaborate with senior leadership to secure financial support aligning with UC’s priorities. This is a full-time, senior leadership position.

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent; CFRE preferred.
• Seven+ years in senior advancement roles, with donor cultivation and major gifts focus.
• Experience leading staff and volunteers in a competitive fundraising environment.
• Proven ability in major gifts, gift planning, annual giving, and proposal/presentation to donors.
• Experience with strategic fundraising planning, moves management, and data management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead major gift, annual, and leadership campaigns.
• Develop and implement fundraising programs at UC.
• Cultivate and solicit donors at levels above $100,000.
• Direct stewardship and engagement of alumni and friends after gifts.
• Mentor staff and volunteers; oversee training in cultivation and solicitation.

Skills

Relationship building and donor Cultiv

Negotiation

Oral and written communication

Strategic fundraising planning

Leadership and supervision

Volunteer management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

CFRE certification preferred

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Database systems

Job description

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Date Posted: 09/08/2026
Req ID: 50072
Faculty/Division: University College
Department: Alumni Office
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

About us

The University College (UC) in the Faculty of Arts and Science (A&S) is the founding college of the University of Toronto and provides a vibrant community for undergraduate students, staff, and faculty, who are deeply committed to UC’s values of diversity, equity, and access. UC’s Office of Advancementis responsible forprivate-sectorrevenue generation and stakeholder relationship building efforts on behalf of UC. The partnerships undertaken with our generousdonors andfriendsbuildsrobust support for our academic priorities.

Position summary

Reporting jointly to the Principal of University College (UC) and to the Senior Director, Advancement College Relations, Faculty of Arts & Science and as a member of the UC Senior Management Team, the Director, Advancement leads and provides strategic direction in all aspects of fundraising, alumni relations and advancement communications for UC. The Director, Advancement is responsible for the identification and cultivation of donors at levels above the $100,000 threshold and provides leadership in the development and implementation of major gift fundraising programs at UC. As part of the Senior Management Team, the Director’s main responsibilities are to develop, plan and conduct major gift, annual and leadership campaigns, to obtain donations for UC’s fundraising priorities from individuals, corporations, and foundations; to assist the UC Principal in developing initiatives to enhance financial support of UC; to direct the process of engaging UC alumni and friends in the life of UC through special events, volunteerism, and alumni programs with the objective of securing financial support to help fulfill UC’s academic mission. The Director will ensure proper stewardship takes place following a gift to maintain the donor’s involvement, interest, and support. The Director leads, mentors and guides a team of staff, and is also involved in the training and oversight of volunteers in areas of cultivation and solicitation activities.

Essential Qualifications

Education

University undergraduate degree oran equivalentcombination of education and experience. Certified Fundraising professional (C.F.R.E.) preferred.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in a senior advancement role; experience in post-secondary education is an asset.
• Experience and success managing/leading staff and senior volunteers in a highly competitive fundraising environment.
• Demonstrated success in major gifts, gift planning, andannual givingfundraisingrequired.
• Experience in strategic fundraising planning and execution.
• Experience in proposal writing and presentation to donors.
• Experience with data management systems.

Skills

• Excellent ability to build relationships, negotiate and influence, andidentifyand leverage opportunities for development.
• Superior oral and written communication skills; public relations skills, ability to deliver speeches and presentations, as well as proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a results-oriented environment.
• Strategic project management skills withanability to manage competing deadlines; to organize, plan and timemanageeffectively.
• Proven ability tomotivate, lead, manage and supervise others including staff and volunteers; and the ability to set team priorities and fostera strong teamenvironment. Mustpossessinitiative, tact,diplomacyand creative problem-solving abilities.

Other

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, colleagues, senior university administrators, colleagues, staff, students, and external contacts.
• Awareness of and sensitivity todiversityincludingdemonstratedexperience working successfully with a diverse population.
• Working knowledge of standard office software including MS Word,Exceland PowerPoint aswell as clear understanding of database principles andmovesmanagement.

Hours of work

Hours of work are from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday; additional hours are often required weekly during the evenings to attend receptions, alumni related events, university related events, and/or prospect meetings taking place outside of normal business hours. Travel is required occasionally. Work on weekends is required occasionally to attend to Spring Reunion and other related alumni events.

Closing Date:09/18/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea:PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:1AP -- Broadband Salary Range: $88,957 - $205,288
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building aculture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectivelyaddress and serve the interests of our global community. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples,Black and racialized persons, women, persons withdisabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment toequity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverseperspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential tostrengthening our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please [e-mail] .