Senior Development Officer

Date Posted: 03/21/2025
Req ID: 42236
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts and Science
Department: New College
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00057752

About us:
The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. Opened in 1962, New College has a long-standing commitment to social justice, and to supporting its diverse body of 6000+ undergraduate students to excel intellectually and to engage in the wider community. New College prioritizes personal attention to students, innovative interdisciplinary programs, links with professional faculties, career mentorship, and community outreach initiatives. The College has built a rich learning community for students including academic support, amenities for studying and social interaction, and opportunities for co-curricular and community engagement. New College is a friendly, welcoming and informal community that places a high priority on student support services and encourages diversity. For more information on New College, see http://www.newcollege.utoronto.ca.

Your opportunity:
The Senior Development Officer (SDO) will be part of a team working under the direction of the Associate Director, Advancement, and will be tasked with the responsibility of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors to New College, at the Leadership Annual Giving level ($1,000-$49,999) and the Major Gift level ($50,000 plus). The incumbent will develop customized proposals and tailored initiatives designed to increase the interest and involvement of donors. Duties will include: meeting with donors to identify, cultivate and solicit for support and interest in New College; ensuring proper stewardships of major gifts; preparing call reports, proposals, progress reports and prospect correspondence; collaborating with other members of the University’s Advancement community to develop and execute strategies, and realize goals.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assessing needs and contributing to the development and implementation of plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition.
• Developing tailored fundraising initiatives that support strategic initiatives.
• Identifying, evaluating and recommending the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University.
• Developing marketing/communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns and programs.
• Cultivating and soliciting current and prospective major gift donors through tailored stewardship programs.
• Managing and developing the Leadership Annual Giving portfolio at $1,000 - $49,999 level.
• Developing and implementing plans to support donor management and stewardship strategies and/or activities.
• Writing briefing notes, solicitation plans and call reports to track donor interaction. Producing complex donor reports.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of experience in a staff fundraising role with a proven track-record of success and demonstrated leadership annual giving experience. Minimum five years of experience managing a mid-level program with a proven track record in retaining and acquiring annual leadership donors.
• Demonstrated major gift development experience (gifts of $50,000 and above) and demonstrated achievements in one-on-one donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience managing a caseload of active gift prospects and implementing strategies for solicitation of these prospects.
• Experience working with senior level volunteers; Proven ability to motivate others, i.e., volunteers, team members, donors.
• Experience in initiating and building relationships with prospects and interact via telephone, digital platforms, and in-person to secure donations.
• Strong ability and experience in having complex financial discussions with donors and their financial representatives.
• Advanced skills in MS Office (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint).
• Valid driver’s license required and ability to travel as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability in consistently meeting deadlines/deliverables and standards for quality work.
• Entrepreneurial approach to problem solving and demonstrated success in exceeding goals and expectations.
• Ability to persuasively communicate a compelling case for philanthropic support. Ability to present tangible and intangible concepts and garner the confidence of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, relationship building and planning skills, attention to detail.
• Ability to operate and communicate effectively and professionally in a multi-stakeholder environment including diverse student bodies, faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni, high-level donors, etc.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Familiarity with University/higher education policies, structures and systems.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Diplomatic
• Organized
• Resourceful
• Team player

This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 04/06/2025, 11:59 PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 15 -- $95,627 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $122,290. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations

Lived Experience Statement:
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.