Senior Development Officer - Advancement, University Relations

MacEwan University

Edmonton

On-site

CAD 75,846 - 110,326

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Generous vacation time

Flexible benefits package

Continuous learning culture

Opportunities for career growth

Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)

Job summary

MacEwan University is seeking 2 Senior Development Officers for a 12-month non-recurring term and a continuing position in the Advancement department. You will develop and lead strategic fundraising initiatives, manage a portfolio of major donors, and craft sophisticated cultivation and engagement strategies to secure transformational support.

Reporting to the Director, Development, you will engage institutional leaders and partners, collaborate with university leaders, and contribute to

Qualifications

Minimum undergraduate degree in business, communications, public relations, marketing, or related field.
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in major gift fundraising and donor relations.
Professional affiliations with AFP, CAGP, or CCAE are assets.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with significant opportunities and multi-stakeholder engagement.
Lead fundraising initiatives to secure philanthropic support for institutional priorities.
Develop strategies to engage senior university leaders in donor engagement.
Build partnerships with corporations, foundations, and community partners.
Contribute to campaign planning, donor strategies, and fundraising priorities.
Maintain accurate records in Raiser's Edge.

Skills

Donor relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic fundraising

Communication skills

Negotiation

Campaign management

Portfolio management

Analytical thinking

Proposal development

Ethical fundraising

Education

Bachelor's degree (business, communications, public relations, marketing, or related)

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Office

Job description

Competition Number: 26.07.170

Category: Full-Time Non-Recurring Term (35 hours per week) & Full-Time Continuing (35 hours per week)

Salary: MSU Band G (Steps 1-8): $41.674 - $60.619 per hour. $75,846 - $110,326 per annum (Based on 35 hours per week).

Closing Date: The competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

MacEwan University is seeking 2 Senior Development Officers for 1 full-time, 12-month non-recurring term and 1 full-time continuing opportunity with our Advancement department.

Reporting to the Director, Development, the Senior Development Officer (SDO) develops and leads strategic fundraising initiatives that inspire philanthropic investment in MacEwan University's priorities. You will manage a portfolio of significant donor relationships and philanthropic opportunities and develop sophisticated donor cultivation and engagement strategies to secure transformational philanthropic support.

In this role, you will serve as a strategic relationship manager by identifying opportunities to engage institutional leaders and partners in support of donor relationships and fundraising initiatives. You will develop and recommend strategies to involve senior University representatives, including the President, Vice-President University Relations, Deans, faculty, volunteers, and other stakeholders, with approaches implemented in collaboration with Advancement leadership. You will also contribute to campaign fundraising priorities and strategic initiatives while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing Advancement culture.

If you are passionate about philanthropy and committed to helping donors create meaningful impact through charitable giving, this is the opportunity for you.

Key responsibilities included:

Managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors involving significant philanthropic opportunities, multiple stakeholders, complex gift arrangements, and strategic institutional priorities using the University's prospect management process;
Achieving fundraising objectives by leading strategic fundraising initiatives, advancing complex donor relationships, and securing philanthropic support for assigned institutional priorities;
Developing strategies and recommending appropriate opportunities to engage senior University leaders with engagement approaches approved in collaboration with Advancement leadership;
Building and maintaining trusted partnerships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community partners capable of making significant philanthropic investments across the University;
Developing comprehensive fundraising strategies, coordinating donor engagement activities and leading creative engagement opportunities that connect donor interests with institutional priorities and deepen donor relationships;
Evaluating donor readiness and determining appropriate cultivation and solicitation approaches based on donor interests, giving capacity, and engagement history;
Negotiating gift opportunities involving restricted gifts, endowments, naming opportunities, multi-year commitments, and other arrangements requiring collaboration across the University;
Supporting institutional fundraising priorities as the fundraiser lead, and contributing to executive briefings, donor strategies, special initiatives, campaign planning, and fundraising priorities;
Serving as the primary relationship manager for donors within the assigned portfolio;
Collaborating with and facilitating between donors and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment between donor interests and University priorities;
Researching and analyzing prospective donor interests, philanthropic trends, and funding opportunities, capacity, and alignment with university priorities;
Maintaining accurate records and portfolio strategies within Raiser's Edge; and
Contributing to building a high-performing fundraising culture characterized by collaboration, accountability, innovation, continuous learning, and shared success.

Skills

Success building, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding long-term relationships with donors, alumni, corporations, foundations, and community partners;
Exceptional interpersonal, networking, influencing, and relationship management skills with the ability to establish credibility and trust with diverse stakeholders;
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and proposal development skills;
Strong strategic thinking, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities;
The ability to develop and implement sophisticated fundraising strategies that align donor interests with institutional priorities and campaign objectives;
Political acuity, sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when working with confidential information and senior institutional representatives;
Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across academic and administrative units and recognize that successful fundraising is achieved through coordinated institutional engagement;
The ability to inspire confidence and build authentic relationships with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and University leadership;
Initiative, resilience, adaptability, accountability, and sound judgment in a dynamic fundraising environment;
Positive, optimistic, and solutions-oriented approach to relationship building and fundraising;
Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage a complex donor portfolio and multiple priorities in a results-oriented environment;
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and donor relationship management systems, including Raiser's Edge; and
A high degree of integrity and commitment to ethical fundraising practices and exceptional donor experiences.

Qualifications

A minimum of an undergraduate degree in business, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience managing major gift fundraising, strategic donor relationships, advancement, business development, or complex external partnerships, including demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic investments.
Professional affiliation with organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), or the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) would be considered an asset.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Position Requirements