Donor Relations Officer, Major Gifts

University of Victoria; Victoria; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Victoria seeks a Donor Relations Officer, Major Gifts to manage donor portfolios and foster relationships. This role emphasizes initiative, team collaboration, and creating impactful reports for major donor stewardship. Join a dynamic team committed to fundraising efforts supporting the university's strategic priorities.

Benefits

15 vacation days per year

Competitive benefits package

Eligibility for hybrid work arrangement

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience, or equivalent education & training.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and create tailored reports.
• Experience with major gift donors and knowledge of fundraising best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage a stewardship portfolio of major gift donors.
• Create and implement individualized strategic stewardship plans.
• Write custom stewardship reports and thank you letters for donors.

Skills

Report writing

Project management

Relationship building

Collaborative teamwork

Diversity inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Canva

Adobe InDesign

Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Donor Relations Officer, Major Gifts - (990587.2)

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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

$75,755.00 - $98,528.00

Additional Posting Information

N/A

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

Classification

SG11

Start Date

8/5/2025

End Date

8/28/2026

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 Alumni and Development team at UVic connects alumni and community to UVic’s vision as outlined in the university’s 2023 strategic plan: Distinctly UVic.

Reporting to the Manager, Donor Relations the Donor Relations Officer, Major Gifts is an essential member of the Development team, providing key support that will help steward significant gifts, build stronger relationships with donors, and demonstrate the impact of philanthropy on the university. The Officer will be instrumental in helping to advance major gift opportunities for the university’s strategic priorities.

This role will be required to work independently and demonstrate a high level of initiative while being in a dynamic team environment where flexibility and multi-tasking are essential.

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 and friends. UVic offers a combination of dynamic learning, vital impact and an extraordinary academic environment that can’t be found anywhere else.

The university's Development team has been growing steadily, raising over $25 million annually, and is in the planning stage of a comprehensive campaign.

About the Position:

The Donor Relations Officer, Major Gifts will manage a stewardship portfolio of major gift donors in partnership with faculty-based fundraisers, Principal Gifts, and Corporate and Foundation Relations. They will work with key internal stakeholders to develop and implement individualized and strategic stewardship plans for major gift donors. The Officer will be responsible for writing and designing custom stewardship reports for prioritized major gift, principal gift, and corporate and foundation donors. They will also be responsible for crafting custom thank you letters from the President’s office and other executive leaders for donors.

What We Offer:

• Professional experience: be part of working with a team of professionals on a post-secondary comprehensive fundraising campaign from its start;
• Values-based work. The Alumni and Development values are:
• Integrity
• Respect
• Passion
• Teamwork
• Flexibility
• Creativity
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement;
• 15 vacation days per year;
• A competitive benefits package;
• When on campus, enjoy the park-like atmosphere working in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

*Posting is ongoing until filled, but application review will commence on June 25, 2025.*

*This position is eligible for a Remote Work Arrangement*

*This position is eligible for a Hybrid Work Arrangement*

The salary range for this position is:

• Recruitment range:$75,755- $83,525starting salary determined by the PEA Collective Agreement.
• Performance range: $98,528salary range ceiling is available through annual performance increases.

Job Summary

Mandate:

The Donor Relations Officer – Major Gifts will manage a stewardship portfolio of major gift donors, as well as work with major gift fundraisers to strategically steward donors through customized impact reporting and engagement. Major Gifts are an important aspect of UVic’s fundraising strategy and the Donor Relations Officer – Major Gifts will be an integral part of the team advancing major gift opportunities for the university.

Alumni & Development is the unit of the university responsible for creating strong relationships and building philanthropic commitment between the University of Victoria and its alumni and friends.

It comprises a committed team who work both centrally and in faculties and units to identify opportunities where faculty, staff, donors, and alumni can be instrumental to enhancing UVic’s programs, research, and student support.

Objectives:

The Donor Relations Officer – Major Gifts will be responsible for fulfilling activities and duties that support the university’s major gift donor stewardship efforts. The incumbent will manage a stewardship portfolio of major gift donors in partnership with Faculty based fundraisers, Principal Gifts, and Corporate and Foundation Relations. They will work with key internal stakeholders (Development Officers, Deans, Chairs, etc.) to develop individualized stewardship plans for major gift donors. They will then be responsible for managing these plans, ensuring that various activities and milestones are implemented and met. Alongside these responsibilities, the incumbent will be responsible for creating tailored stewardship report writing and design for prioritized major gift, principal gift, and corporate and foundation donors. They will also be responsible for crafting custom thank you letters from the President’s office and other executive leaders for donors who give at specific levels.

This role will be required to work independently and demonstrate a high level of initiative while being in a dynamic team environment where flexibility and multi-tasking is essential.

Job Requirements

This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment.
• Demonstrated experience in working with major gift donors.
• Demonstrated report writing and design experience.
• Ability to apply project management best practices to achieve project goals on time.
• Ability to collaborate, build and maintain positive relationships with diverse individuals and work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to identify and analyze issues, develop solutions, and implement effective strategies to achieve desired outcomes.

Assets:

• Experience with design products such as Canva and Adobe InDesign.
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM.
• Understanding of fundraising and donor relations best practices and principles.
• Experience with higher education and/or a complex organization.
• Attention to detail is a key 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.

What UVic Offers: To learn more click here