Senior Development Officer (Full-Time)

Tyndale University; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 66,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Toronto seeks a Senior Development Officer to enhance their major gifts team. This role involves cultivating relationships with donors, developing engagement strategies, and achieving fundraising targets. Candidates should have extensive fundraising experience and strong communication skills. The position offers a hybrid work model, requiring 1-2 days in office and 3-4 days of donor visits.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years’ experience in fundraising, annual funds, and capital campaigns.
• Successful prospecting and gift solicitations at the major gift level.
• Familiarity with Canadian Christian communities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and solicit gifts from major donors.
• Develop major donor engagement strategies.
• Manage and cultivate a portfolio of donors.

Skills

Inter-personal skills

Customer service skills

Exceptional communication

Organizational skills

Proficiency with fundraising database systems

Education

Undergraduate degree or college diploma

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

Tools

Salesforce

Raisers Edge

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Development Officer is determined to make a positive impact through their work. They are a motivated fundraising professional who is eager to contribute to Tyndale’s high-performance major gifts team and deliver transformational results. The Senior Development Officer cultivates and solicits immediate and deferred gifts from existing major donors, with a focus on new prospects. Working with the Director, External Relations, the Senior Development Officer’s overall commitment is to build and deepen relationships on behalf of Tyndale, building a long-term strategy to meet mutually agreed upon leadership fundraising goals towards the institution’s annual fundraising targets. The majority of Senior Development Officer’s time is spent out of the office with active, lapsed and prospective major donors.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Portfolio Management

• Participate with the Vice President and Director in the development of major donor engagement strategies.
• Research, develop and implement mutually agreed upon fundraising plans and goals in order to meet Tyndale’s fundraising targets.
• Manage, engage, cultivate and steward a portfolio of new and existing donors and gift prospects including major, transformational, and planned gifts.
• Ensure effective donor retention and recognition. Foster relationships with a diverse community of donors.
• Create, identify and incorporate new fundraising strategies to generate new major / leadership / transformational ($10k+) donor prospects.
• Develop targeted solicitation strategies, customized proposals, briefing documents, and presentations to secure major gifts and sponsorships. Contribute to proactive research and participate in ongoing prospect identification, review, research.
• Where appropriate, provide support to the Director and the Vice President to solicit prospects.
• Participate in events and functions related to donors including major gifts prospects.
• Record, schedule and track accurate donor information / activity in the External Relations database.
• Provide regular performance reports to the Director, External Relations.

External Relations Team Participation

Serve as a contributing member of the External Relations team.

Become familiar with Tyndale and the programs that are offered.

Be well-versed in department goals.

Participate in staff meetings

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

a) Education

Undergraduate degree or college diploma

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) considered an asset

b) Experience

Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in fundraising, annual funds, and capital campaigns, with successful prospecting and gift solicitations at the major gift level, preferably within a post-secondary education setting and / or not-for-profit organization.

Familiarity with Canadian Christian communities is an asset.

Experience in sponsorship development.

c) Skills and Abilities

Strong inter-personal and customer service skills with ability to be a persuasive, professional advocate for the organization.

Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.

Strong organizational and administrative skills, with attention to detail, accuracy and ability to meet deadlines.

Proficiency with fundraising database systems ( Salesforce, Raisers Edge).

Excellent computer skills, ability to use inter / search engines, computer programs / applications ( Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

d) Personal Characteristics

An entrepreneurial spirit and positive attitude, with respect for confidentiality

Demonstrated professionalism and tact, with the ability to interact with donors and colleagues

Responsive to donor needs

Self-motivated and team-oriented

A keen desire to serve family, church, work and community.

A firm commitment to Tyndale’s mission, values, Statement of Faith and Community Standards Statement.

e) Physical and Mental Demands

Standard office work environment.

Moderate – high level of stress. May result from multiple project revenue targets, major gifts 3 of 3 targets, and deadlines; demands of senior management.

Light physical demands including travel by car to donor appointments and events. Possession of a valid drivers license and access to a vehicle required.

Travel required on a regular basis.

Work outside normal business hours required to meet the needs of donors, including some evening and weekend work.

This role is a hybrid work model. Staff will be required to be in office 1-2 days per week, and home / donor visits 3-4 days per week.

Salary Range : 66,000 - $74,000