Senior Development Officer, Campaign

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; Calgary; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is seeking a Senior Development Officer for their Real Futures campaign. This role requires a seasoned fundraising professional to manage major gift prospects and engage strategic donors to drive campaign success.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years in major gifts fundraising securing individual gifts of $100,000.
• Experience in large campaign environments preferred.
• Must have valid driver’s license and able to travel.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 75 to 125 major gift prospects.
• Coordinate proposals and presentations for major gift prospects and donors.
• Lead and participate in calls with key prospects.

Skills

Communication

Fundraising

Business Acumen

Strategic Engagement

Education

Post-secondary Diploma in business, marketing, fundraising, communications

Undergraduate preferred

Tools

Fundraising database systems

Spreadsheet applications

Job description

A student’s relationship with SAIT doesn’t end at convocation — we are proud of the life-long relationships we have with our alumni. The Alumni and Development department shares SAIT’s story, connects donors to incredible people, projects and experiences. SAIT is fortunate to receive financial support from our alumni family, industry and community at large. If you’re passionate about nurturing the connections between SAIT and our alumni family, we want to meet you.

The Opportunity

The Senior Development Officer, Campaign plays a pivotal role in achieving the goals of SAIT’s Real Futures campaign. This seasoned, collaborative fundraising professional brings strong business acumen and advanced communication skills, with a proven ability to engage strategically with donors across multiple channels.

Reporting to the Manager, Principal Gifts & Campaign, the successful candidate will support the execution of a three-year fundraising campaign, with a primary focus on the Taylor Family Campus Centre. They will work closely with executive leadership—including Deans, Directors, the Associate Vice President of Advancement, Associate Directors, and the Manager, Principal Gifts & Campaign—to drive campaign success.

Key responsibilities include working with major donors and prospects, supporting Campaign Cabinet volunteers, and developing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $100,000 or more. The role demands expertise in complex fundraising environments and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.

This individual will collaborate closely with the Major Gifts team, and will work across the broader Alumni & Development team to ensure campaign alignment and momentum. The ideal candidate is a passionate and strategic fundraiser with experience in large-scale campaigns and a demonstrated ability to close significant gifts.

The Role

• Manage and actively maintain a portfolio of (75 to 125) major gift prospects; implement key strategies to raise funds for SAIT’s key priorities
• Liaising with Deans and Directors, build and steward relationships with SAIT’s current and prospective donors. Secure major gifts of $100,000 or more from individuals, corporations, and associations/foundations
• Working closely with the ASR team, coordinate, prepare and deliver high quality proposals and cases for support, presentations and other communications materials for major gift prospects and donors
• Actively lead and participate in calls with key prospects
• Cultivate, support, communicate and manage leadership volunteers assigned to the development process
• Take an active role in the implementation of appropriate donor recognition and stewardship strategies, policies and procedures, for accounts within portfolio
• Direct the preparation of research to support key accounts within portfolio and participate in prospect identification and evaluation of prospects
• Work closely with other Senior Development Officers and Development Officer to identify and build detailed notes and gift plans for key prospects
• Record the relationship building process with contact reports filed in a relationship management system (AOSS) to facilitate open communication and team based fundraising environment
• Some gift planning/legacy (planned) giving work with individuals as appropriate to facilitate larger asset-based gifts
• Participate as a valued collaborative member within SAIT’s team of Senior Development Officers and Development Officers within the Alumni & Development Team
• Help develop and implement SAIT’s “best practice” and innovative fundraising strategy
• Active participation in SAIT’s Prospect Management (PMC) process

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum post-secondary Diploma in business, marketing, fund raising, communications or related field, undergraduate preferred
• Must have three years in major gifts fundraising securing individual gifts of $100,000; experience securing gifts of $1 million preferred
• Fundraising experience at a post-secondary institution, ideally in a large campaign environment would be an asset
• Comprehensive/capital campaign experience (preferred)
• Evidence of ongoing upgrading of skills in communications, marketing, business, gift planning or fundraising
• High degree of business literacy
• Familiarity with fundraising database systems and spreadsheet applications required
• Must be eligible for membership in AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals)
• CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation is desirable
• Must have a valid driver’s license and your own vehicle
• Ability to travel and to conduct occasional evening and weekend work

Job classification: Senior Development Officer

Salary range:$95,000 - $105,000

Position end date: July 15, 2028

Posting end date: June 23, 2025

About SAIT

SAIT is a global leader in applied education. Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we offer the chance to work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers.

Building on our 100+ year history, we’re looking for innovative, bold and collaborative employees who embrace change and deliver world-class customer experiences. Your future starts now at SAIT.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is essential to achieving SAIT’s vision to be a global leader in applied education. It creates the conditions for a healthy campus where everyone feels welcome, respected and empowered to succeed. SAIT values fairness, shared accountability and the importance of representation. The institution expects a commitment from its students and employees to continuously develop an equitable and inclusive mindset that celebrates diverse experiences and perspectives. Learn more about EDI at SAIT.

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