Development Assistant Estate Gifts

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM | Expires Friday, January 1, 2027 at 10:59 AM

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

STATUS: Permanent;
Full-Time

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values .

The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.

About the Position:

As a Development Assistant, Will & Estate Gifts you’ll be joining one of the most innovative and successful fundraising teams in Canada. The BC SPCA is funded by compassionate animal lovers who help us assist nearly forty-nine thousand abused, abandoned, injured and neglected animals every year. Your work will help make all of this possible. As a Development Assistant, Will & Estate Gifts you will focus on supporting the Will & Estate Gifts team.

The fundraising team prides itself on having created a fun, supportive and positive work culture. We are results-driven and committed to excellence through professionalism, compassion, collaboration and innovation. (and yes, there are dogs in the office… and sometimes other animals too.)

Some specific duties:

• As part of the Will & Estate Gifts team, led by the Senior Manager, Will & Estate Gifts you’ll be part of the strategy development and execution of identifying, securing, stewarding, and administering will & estate gifts.
• You’re responsible for supporting and keeping the team organized including:
  • Creating and maintaining department records
  • Performing data entry and coding
  • Drafting letters
  • Creating, pulling and maintaining lists and reports
• You’ll be collaborating with colleagues on events and mailings, and the Finance Department on expenses, designations and audits.
• You’ll be working directly with donors, professional advisors and vendors.
• You are expected to utilize appropriate measures and metrics to evaluate the success of your program areas and provide regular reporting as required.
• You are supported and encouraged to develop and maintain relationships with industry peers and maintain a commitment to continued education, learning and innovation.
• While every day is different, a day in this role might include:
• Opening new Estate Files, and review of open Estate Files to flag for follow ups.
• Drafting correspondence, responding to emails, forwarding information packages.
• Ordering supplies, filing, and ensuring authorized signatories sign specific documents.
• Running reports or pulling lists in Raisers Edge.
• Sorting and reviewing mail, tracking correspondence, and making cheque's deposits.

Qualifications you need to have:

• Very detailed oriented, able to follow written procedures and keep work flowing
• Motivated and innovative problem-solver
• Empathetic and relation-centric (with donors, colleagues, animals etc.)
• Adaptable, a team player, and comfortable with change
• One to two years’ experience working in an administrative role plus relevant post-secondary training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer.
• You can demonstrate an understanding of big picture fundraising and how Planned Giving fits in.
• You love the “details” and can efficiently work through large volumes at a steady pace
• You are a clear and persuasive communicator, both written and oral.
• You know when something is your responsibility, how to organize yourself to meet deadlines, and when you have to elevate something. If you don’t know how to do something, or complete something in a timely fashion,…