City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

McMaster University is consistently recognized as a world-class institution for teaching, research, and scholarship. We are ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and are Canada’s leading research-intensive university.

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to advancing inclusive excellence and employment equity in the workplace. We encourage qualified candidates to apply from equity-deserving groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the 2SLGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

University Advancement at McMaster University is a flexible, adaptable, and integrated department that encompasses the areas of Development, Alumni Advancement, Volunteer Engagement, and Advancement Services & Operations, and works collaboratively with McMaster’s Faculties and units across campus.  Together we coordinate activities and work as a team to build relationships, reputation, and resources on behalf of the University. As a member of the central Annual Giving team, you’ll have an opportunity to work strategically and collaboratively with teams across the university to engage the donor community.

As the Senior Development Officer, you’ll be part of McMaster’s Annual Giving team. You will join a team responsible for providing high-quality, meaningful opportunities for alumni and funders to engage with and maintain positive relationships with faculty, staff, and students maximizing the reputation, relationships, and revenue for McMaster.

In addition to supporting the day-to-day functions of the Annual Giving team, this position will be responsible for maintaining, implementing and evaluating fundraising strategies to increase annual giving leadership-level gifts and pledges from various internal and external constituencies.

This position will also manage a list of prospective leadership-gift level (under $25,000) donors; setting up visits and meetings with prospects, identifying opportunities that match donors’ interests with University priorities and needs, and thanking, recognizing and stewarding donors after gifts have been received.  

Reporting to the Associate Director, Development, Annual Giving, the Senior Development Officer will:

• Demonstrate strategic thinking, excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, focus, and enthusiasm.
• Develop strong working relationships with key contacts and stakeholders within the internal and external community for the purpose of promoting giving activities and programs across the University and withing Faculties or Units.
• Maintain and implement strategic plans to secure gifts and maximize giving opportunities.
• Use sound judgement, tact, and sensitivity to secure funds for a variety of University priorities and to move funders through the donor cycle.
• Meet ambitious financial and visit goals, set on an annual basis.
• Collaborate with team members to plan and execute successful fundraising strategies, while also taking individual ownership of specific financial and visit goals that contribute to the overall team objectives.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of a diverse and significant funder and prospect portfolio and sustaining a program of donor stewardship activity.
• Engage in the regular evaluation of fundraising activities, seeking input from colleagues, and sharing information of relevance to other fundraising portfolios and activities.
• Work with donor databases and use data to inform strategic segmentation and solicitation plans and report on the impact of gifts and recognition efforts for funders.