Senior Associate Director, Gift & Estate Planning-1

The University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 117,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Associate Director, Gift & Estate Planning at The University of British Columbia leads major gift fundraising efforts, cultivating and soliciting donors to exceed annual targets. This role handles confidential information with discretion and works closely with senior university leadership and development staff.

It requires a strong track record in major gifts, strategic planning, and donor stewardship, with the ability to manage a portfolio of high-value prospects and mentor junior

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
• Certificate in fundraising management is an asset.
• CFRE designation is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements comprehensive fundraising programs for major gift prospects.
• Cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors to achieve annual targets.
• Manages complex confidential information and donor relationships.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Undergraduate degree

Fundraising certificate

CFRE designation

Tools

Centralized fundraising system

Job description

Staff - Non Union Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Development & Alumni Engagement, Level E

Job Title Senior Associate Director, Gift & Estate Planning-1 Department Gift & Estate Planning Leadership | Development | Development & Alumni Engagement

Compensation Range $10,459.67 - $15,675.58 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date September 14, 2026

Job End Date Ongoing

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Director is responsible for generating strategic prospect contact at the major gift level. Develops, implements comprehensive fundraising programs for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors and achieve annual fundraising targets of $5M+ through personal solicitations of $50,000+. Also responsible for development, and coordination of projects and dealing with complex, confidential information where consequence of error is high. Organizational Status Reports to: One of: Director, Senior Director/Assistant Dean. Works with: UBC faculty, student, alumni and staff involved in fundraising including the VP, Development and Alumni Engagement, AVP Development, the President of the University and other senior administrators as appropriate. Contacts: Donors and outside community groups and organizations Supervises: Normally Senior Associate Directors do not have direct supervisory responsibilities, but may mentor junior development staff.

Work Performed

• Works in partnership with faculty members and senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support for the University, with a Faculty/unit specific individual annual dollar goal;
• Actively builds their pipeline of prospects to ensure sufficient strong prospects to meet goals;
• Leads and manages the development, and coordination of the unit projects;
• Develops and manages a personal portfolio of major gift donor prospects, making face-to-face visits (50+ annually) for the purposes of discovery/qualification, cultivation and solicitation (20-25 annually) for prospects at the major gift level (defined as $50,000 and up). Builds comprehensive fundraising programs, implements strategies and develops proposals. Ensures that appropriate donor recognition, acknowledgment and stewardship programs are in place Mentors and develops fundraising staff, including working with them to develop strategy for donor cultivation and solicitation, “making the ask”; Writes donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence; Coordinates with other fundraising and university colleagues to strategize and implement fundraising efforts. Maintains a strong knowledge on current university/Faculty initiatives and fundraising priorities. Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The position is a critical point of contact for donors and university staff in relation to development activities. The Senior Associate Director is expected to make decisions and recommendations impacting a total development goal. Incorrect interpretation or communication of university policy and procedures or lack of tact, diplomacy or sensitivity in dealing with major donors and senior administrators could potentially result in damaged relationships and credibility, leading to the potential loss of these donations. This position is also critical in advising and ensuring proper interpretation and implementation of academic and fiscal policies for fundraising, senior administrators, and development staff. The Senior Associate Director is responsible for a portfolio of donors and prospects. If inappropriate advice, incorrect interpretation or improper financial analysis were conveyed to major donors or senior university administrators, funding could be incorrectly administered or unavailable for disbursement. UBC could be in direct violation of stewardship and trusteeship obligations to donors and for funds received through bequests. The incumbent participates in decisions concerning the planning, organization and utilization of staff, staff selection and job performance reviews.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works under general direction according to broad objectives. Works independently with discretion relating to donor negotiations, policy administration and interpretation, and administrative responsibilities. Overall strategic planning on global fund-raising initiatives is executed in consultation with the Director.

Supervision Given

May provide day to day supervision and mentoring to development staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• A certificate in fundraising management and additional training through AFP, CASE and a CFRE designation is an asset.
• Minimum of eight years related experience in fundraising, alumni relations or advancement, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to creating an inclusive environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years experience meeting or exceeding annual metrics at the Associate Director level, or equivalent.
• Proven experience in Major-Gift fundraising and skilled in strategy development.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in building relationships with donors and prospects in a non-profit environment, with a proven track record of fundraising success.
• Proven experience in effectively navigating complex relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while exercising good judgement at all times.
• Well‑developed analytical and problem‑solving skills are required, along with strategic thinking and skills in conflict resolution.
• Strong conceptual abilities combined with high attention to detail.
• Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines effective verbal; ability to formulate strategic plans; and written communication skills, strong interpersonal and negotiation skills required in liaising with major donors, corporate executives and senior university administration; proven ability to work with donors to advance the University's mission; tact, diplomacy, discretion and sound judgment required.
• The incumbent should have the ability to plan, coordinate and supervise the work of others, in order to execute a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines.
• Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is a preferred asset.
• Experience working with a centralized fundraising system an asset.

Equity & Diversity

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world. Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail].