Senior Development Officer University of Waterloo

Job Description

Accountable to the Director of Development, Major Gifts, the Senior/Development Officer will be responsible for the corporate and individual fundraising of gifts at the major giving level for the university. Primary responsibilities, carried out as a member of the Development team will include identification, evaluation, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate, foundation and individual donors for the University of Waterloo, and interdisciplinary priority projects.

• Develops and maintains a good working knowledge of the University of Waterloo’s activities, priorities and needs in both teaching and research
• Has a thorough working knowledge of the University’s fundraising priorities, projects and progress
• Using this knowledge, and in consultation with the Director of Development, Major Gifts, coordinates fundraising strategies for assigned prospect (corporations, foundations and individuals), including qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects
• Works collaboratively with the Office of Advancement to move prospects through the pipeline
• Drafts Terms of Reference for endowment and trust donations
• Has knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts, refers planned giving prospects

• Creates fundraising materials suitable for presentation to prospective contributors by soliciting technical content and working with the Sr. Communications Officer, Office of Advancement, Creative Services, and University Relations as required
• Develops proposals for projects tailored to the specific interests of corporations, foundations, individuals and associations in conjunction with the Office of Advancement fundraising teams
• Maintains/updates the database by ensuring that meeting notes are recorded in a timely manner and significant moves are tracked in the system
• Coordinates special projects and campaigns as assigned
• Provides functional direction to administrative staff involved in these activities, where applicable
• Contributes to a ‘One Advancement’ team model, encourages collaboration within the team and across Advancement
• Coordinates with Alumni Relations as needed to leverage activity for Development purposes

• Establishes and maintains relationships with the corporate sector (donations officer, senior officers, etc.), including calls on companies, arranging site visits to campus, special events, announcements, information exchanges
• Recruits, trains and manages volunteer teams as assigned
• Supports the work of the Alumni Relations team and the Donor Relations team in coordinating communications and building relationships with students, young alumni and graduates and maintaining relationships with donors

• University degree or equivalent education or experience

• USG 9: 0-2 years of progressive fundraising experience
• USG 10: 3-5 years of progressive major gift fundraising experience
• USG 11: 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience in securing major gifts and volunteer recruitment and management and experience with the full scope of development activities including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition and stewardship at the major gift level.
• Successful track record of developing and implementing strategies for major gift solicitations with demonstrated success in personally securing and closing major gifts

• Understanding and appreciation of the key role of a university education and the crucial importance of attracting and retaining the very best talent available (students, faculty, staff)
• Understanding of the university environment including the integration of research and teaching
• Knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts
• Proven competence in project management, multi-tasking, planning, analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, oral and writing skills including the expertise to create promotional materials and proposals
• Political acumen and problem-solving skills are required
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently and effectively as part of a team with a broad mandate in a fast-paced, highly computerized and challenging environment
• Knowledge and excellence in working with fundraising software is considered an asset
• Demonstrated relationship building skills, excellent time management and proven ability to meet competing deadlines in an organized manner
• Must have strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Constituent Management Software
• CFRE or fundraising certificate an asset but not required
• Willingness to travel and work extended hours as required (some weekends and evenings)

USG 9: $71,827 – $89,784

USG 10: $78,214– $97,768

USG 11: $85,399 – $106,749