SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (BAND LEVEL 9)

Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador; San Juan de Terranova; On-site; CAD 67,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Newfoundland is seeking a Senior Development Officer. This position is focused on managing donor relationships and implementing effective fundraising strategies to support the university's goals. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in fundraising, strong communication and leadership skills, and the ability to manage a diverse portfolio of donors. This role offers a salary range of $67,414 - $91,929 per annum, plus a market differential of $18,357 and encourages a diverse range of applicants.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in resource development or fundraising, preferably in education.
• Ability to juggle multiple timelines and work independently.
• Experience in managing fundraising staff is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage donor relationships to maximize fundraising.
• Implement fundraising strategies aligned with University goals.
• Develop and execute relationship management activities.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Proven leadership ability

Strong organizational skills

Negotiation skills

Ability to manage relationships

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Graduation from a four-year college or university

Job description

Senior Development Officer (Band Level 9)

Office of Development and Alumni Engagement

(Permanent Position)

Duties

Memorial University’s Office of Development and Alumni Engagement is seeking an experienced fundraising professional to join a team whose work supports education and research outcomes, transforms lives, enriches the province’s economic growth and inspires the next generation of leaders.

The successful candidate will manage a diverse portfolio of critical donor relationships consisting of individuals, corporations and foundations.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Development, the candidate will be responsible for implementing fundraising strategies and initiatives consistent with the University’s fundraising goals and campaigns. The incumbent will maintain a portfolio of active donors and manage prospects or donors with leadership capacity, with an emphasis on timely and accurate moves management practices, in order to create and maximize revenue through philanthropic commitments. This position will also assume other fundraising-related management responsibilities including managing and coaching Development staff, campaign fundraising and ensuring appropriate administration of the processes; and performing other related duties as required.

The Senior Development Officer establishes and executes a strategy and operational plan for their overall fundraising and for specific campaigns or initiatives. This includes achieving an annual personal fundraising performance objective as a part of the University’s annual fundraising goal; working with the Office of Development senior leadership to identify fundraising priorities and set an ambitious yet achievable annual fundraising plan for the position; designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating strategies and tactics to solicit specific major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations; personally managing a major gift portfolio including individuals, foundations and corporations. For individuals, they are often highly prominent senior professionals – business leaders and well‑known members of the local, national, or international community. The Senior Development Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining an in-depth knowledge of the University’s activities, priorities and needs in teaching, research and public engagement and applying this knowledge in matching the interests and needs of prospective donors with the strategic needs of the University; preparing written materials, in collaboration with communications staff where appropriate, including case statements and tailored proposals, progress reports, briefing notes, campaign materials (including for volunteers) and prospect correspondence; collaborating with academic leaders regarding fundraising strategies to support the execution of fundraising calls and solicitations; identifying, recruiting, managing, and motivating external volunteers, as appropriate, to support the execution of fundraising calls and solicitations; continually acting as an advocate and ambassador for the University; engaging support from other specialized areas of the Development Office including developing strategies and plans to increase overall giving to the University in cooperation with both the Planned Giving and the Annual Fund teams.

Duties also include developing and executing the full scope of relationship management related activities, including prospect discovery, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of prospects; this involves supporting senior leadership with donor relationship management.

The Senior Development Officer ensures appropriate administration of the fundraising‑management and campaign processes and assumes other responsibilities as needed. This includes documenting, tracking, and reporting on activities to appropriate internal and/or external stakeholders; managing the flow of information, expectations, and results on a continual basis; developing an annual performance plan which is reviewed against results. The successful applicant will be required to work some non‑traditional hours, attend events, and to travel regularly.

Qualifications

Thorough experience (5‑7 years) in resource development, relation management, sales, business development and/or fundraising, preferably in the education, health‑care, or not‑for‑profit sector; graduation from a four‑year college or university is required; or an equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered. Additional requirements include excellent communication skills (verbal and written), listening skills, proven leadership ability, strong organizational skill; good negotiation skills, ability to manage relationships with honesty, integrity, and commitment to an academic environment; sound judgment and decision making capabilities and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively; ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple timelines; organizational abilities including planning and organizing complex fundraising programs and high‑impact projects with minimal direction; proven ability to build fundraising strategies in support of organizational goals, develop prospective donors and secure major gifts; ability to exercise a high level of sophistication, tact and discretion in both internal and external interactions. Experience in managing fundraising staff and knowledge of Memorial University would be assets. CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation is preferred.

Salary

$67,414 - $91,929 per annum (Management and Professional)

Plus market differential of $18,357

Closing Date

January 7, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. NST

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, p reference will be given to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; persons whose gender identity or gender expression is nonbinary or otherwise not cisgender; Indigenous peoples; racialized people; black persons; and persons with disabilities. Memorial is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment.

If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation during the application process, please contact [e-mail] directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

The personal information requested in your application is collected under the authority of the Memorial University Act (RSNL 1990 c M-7) for the purpose of identifying and recruiting candidates; assessing applicant qualifications; and maintaining records pertaining to the administration of employment with Memorial University of Newfoundland.

If you are a successful candidate, this information will form part of your permanent employment record and will be used for other activities related to the employment process. This information may be disclosed to government departments and agencies as legally required; and to third party service providers, as necessary to administer programs and activities.

If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of the information on this form, please contact MyHR, Department of Human Resources, at [e-mail].

Please be advised that we are unable to provide updates on current competitions.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.