Job Details

Mandate:

Jointly reporting to the hiring Director of Faculty Development, and to the Dean or Unit Head of an assigned portfolio, the Senior Development Officer (SDO) develops and manages their assigned faculty/unit(s) portfolio by establishing and delivering an effective development and fundraising plan. The SDO identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major and principal gift donors, sponsors and planned giving opportunities through, prospecting one-on-one meetings, and developing meaningful connections with staff, faculty, volunteers, donors and prospects. If their portfolio allows, the SDO may take on a supervisory role and oversee a Coordinator, including orientation, coaching, supervising and performance review duties.

Objectives:

• Build and cultivate a portfolio of 75-90 prospective major gift donors
• Build a Fundraising Work Plan to obtain annually raised major and principal gifts in support of the Faculty/Unit’s approved priority fundraising projects and in support of the University's mission and goals.
• Meet activity metrics outlined annually with Director including face to face meetings, qualifications, major gift solicitations, major gifts closed, stewardship actions and collaborative major gift solicitations.
• Achieve a personal fundraising target as determined annually;
• Ensure Coordinator (if in place) is clearing, releasing, tracking, recording and reporting all gifts as appropriate
• Develop detailed solicitation strategies and tactics for each constituent and work with the Dean/Unit Head, volunteers and faculty to execute these strategies
• Assuming a confident and informed relationship with the Dean in advising on donor strategy and fundraising best practices
• Partner with university and faculty leadership, as a trusted advisor, to articulate fundraising priorities and proposals
• Mentor other members of the Development Department (less experienced fundraising staff) as appropriate

Work Environment:

The SDO works both on and off campus, as appropriate, to attend in person and virtual meetings and events with the Director, Dean/Unit Head, volunteers, faculty members, staff and donors. The SDO maintains a working space within their assigned faculty/unit(s). UVic seeks to provide a vibrant on-campus experience and responsive suite of services for our students, faculty, staff and community. Connections to campus, students, clients and colleagues are necessary to some degree in all roles.

A Remote Work Agreement (RWA) may be put into place, as approved by the Director and Dean/Unit Head, to provide the SDO the opportunity to work remotely on a regular basis for a fixed duration of time. RWAs will be reviewed and renewed at regular intervals.

Organizational Structure:

The SDO is a dual reporting position and is part of both the faculty/unit(s) they are assigned to as well as the Alumni and Development Department.

Within the faculty/unit(s), the SDO reports directly to the Dean/Unit Head, who is responsible for setting the vision for and sharing knowledge about their area.

Within the Alumni and Development Division, the SDO reports to the Director, Faculty Development, under the leadership of the Associate Vice-President of Alumni and Development. The Alumni and Development Department is comprised of approximately 70 people including the Alumni Relations, Major Gifts, Leadership Giving, Annual Giving, Student Calling Program, Planned Giving, Principal Giving, Advancement Services, Donor Relations, Gift Processing, Prospect Research and Communications teams. All of which can be seen at: https://www.uvic.ca/givingtouvic/team/index.php

This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree plus five (5) years of relevant experience in the post-secondary or non-profit sector. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing the principles of truth, reconciliation and respect, equity diversity and inclusion, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills
• Demonstrates leadership within Alumni and Development by presenting and sharing information or expertise with colleagues and mentoring less experienced fundraisers within the department
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Proven track record achieving fundraising and activity goals
• Demonstrated maturity, self-confidence and poise to deal appropriately with a wide variety of people and situations from the student level to high-profile community leaders
• Open to learning and development, and willing to accept new challenges and assignments
• Effectively administer, organize, plan and manage time
• Use sound judgment in the wording and the inclusion of pertinent and sensitive information
• Assuming a confident and informed relationship with the Dean in advising donor strategy and fundraising best practices
• Have experience engaging or ability to engage in pan-institutional fundraising projects that involve coaching Deans/researchers/professors and other leaders
• Act as a “university community member” who is mindful of work that may be appealing to a donor from other faculties or areas of practice and make connections within the university and community
• Acts autonomously in liaising with donors, alumni and members of the University community

Assets or Preferences:

• A CFRE designation is preferred
• Knowledge in Development practices and processes as well as systems used for day-to-day business is an asset
• Proven experience in project management within a large, complex institution is an asset