Development Manager- Athletics, Student & Campus

Location:

Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Requisition

Major Gift Advancement

This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph. Temporary full‑time from 08/03/2026 to 08/03/2027. Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent.

Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D)’s purpose is to maximize philanthropic support for the University of Guelph’s mission of creating unique solutions for the challenges facing our world. We achieve this purpose by building the kind of deep and sustained relationships with our donors, alumni and friends that increase awareness of, engagement with, and investment in the University of Guelph’s work. As a member of this campus-wide team, the Development Manager, Athletics, Student & Campus Experience advances philanthropic support for priorities that enhance the student and campus experience, including Athletics as well as broader student-focused and campus-wide initiatives.

The role epitomizes the department’s shared values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation, and forward focus.

The University of Guelph is currently planning to launch its first fundraising campaign since 2014. The campaign aims to expand on the University’s recent fundraising growth so that AA&D becomes a team that consistently raises $75 M a year by 2030. By aligning donor passions with the university's ambitious goals, the campaign will boost revenue, elevate the university's global profile, deepen donor relationships, and create a highly developed culture of philanthropy across the University community.

Institutional leaders and volunteers will be highly engaged in advocating for the university's global impact and the vital role of philanthropy in achieving this vision.

Reporting to the Associate Director Development, Student & Campus Experience and working in partnership with the Advancement team, you will be a relationship builder responsible for the personal solicitation of donations, estate gifts and sponsor ships in the range of $25,000 to $500,000. This role supports a portfolio of fundraising priorities that enhance the student and campus experience, including Athletics as a key area of focus as well as student life, wellness, and other campus-wide initiatives.

As part of our mission to build lifelong relationships within our community, the Development Manager, Athletics, Student & Campus Experience will play a key role in connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to support priorities that strengthen the student and campus experience across the University. This includes engaging alumni, grateful clients, corporations, and friends of the University of Guelph to build lasting philanthropic support.

The Development Manager will personally generate support through relationship-building and strategic engagement, with a focus on both advancing current funding opportunities and identifying new prospects to strengthen and grow our donor pipeline.

• Identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors and prospects through the fundraising cycle;
• Maintaining a personal prospect portfolio of 80-100 cleared donors/prospects, undertaking 10-15 face-to-face meetings per month with donors/prospects;
• Preparing briefing materials to support Senior Administration (President, VPs, AVPs, Dean) fundraising activity;
• Collaborating with the Director of Major Gift Advancement, Associate Director Development, the Director of Athletics, the Senior Development Manager, and other campus partners to identify and advance fundraising priorities that will resonate with donors, including scholarships, sponsor ships, student-focused initiatives, and capital projects;
• Creating and presenting materials to advance fundraising asks such as: generic cases for support to more customized proposals;
• Partnering with Annual Giving to support integrated fundraising initiatives, including the Giving Tuesday campaign, by identifying relevant priorities, prospects, and donor engagement opportunities that align with student and campus experience fundraising goals;
• Negotiating the closure of major gifts,…