Associate Director, Advancement
About us:
The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.
We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.
Opened in 1962, New College has a long-standing commitment to social justice, and to supporting its diverse body of 6000+ undergraduate students to excel intellectually and to engage in the wider community. New College offers two interdisciplinary undergraduate programs – Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health, and Studies in Equity and Solidarity – and houses three departments (African Studies, Caribbean Studies, and Women and Gender Studies). New College’s student body has a strong international-student presence and is increasingly attracted to quantitative fields such as Biology, Mathematics, Statistical Science, Computer Science and Economics. New College prioritizes personal attention to students, innovative interdisciplinary programs, links with professional faculties, career mentorship, and community outreach initiatives. The College has built a rich learning community for students including academic support, amenities for studying and social interaction, and opportunities for co-curricular and community engagement. The College offers a spirited and challenging environment for students to have the opportunity to broaden their experience, create life plans, and meet others from different fields. New College is a friendly, welcoming and informal community that places a high priority on student support services and encourages diversity. For more information on New College, see http://www.newcollege.utoronto.ca.
Position Summary:
Reporting jointly to the Principal of New College and to the Executive Director, Advancement Faculty of Arts & Science & Assistant Vice President, Advancement College Relations, and as a member of the New College Senior Management Team, the Associate Director, Advancement leads and provides strategic direction in all aspects of fundraising, alumni relations and advancement communications for New College. The Associate Director, Advancement is responsible for the identification and cultivation of donors at levels above $50,000 and provides leadership in the development and implementation of major gift fundraising programs at New College. As part of the Senior Management Team, the Associate Director’s main responsibilities are to develop, plan and conduct major gift, annual and leadership campaigns, to obtain donations for New College’s fundraising priorities from individuals, corporations, and foundations; to assist the Principal in developing initiatives to enhance financial support of New College; to direct the process of engaging New College alumni and friends in the life of New College through special events, volunteerism, and alumni programs with the objective of securing financial support to help fulfill New College’s academic mission. The Associate Director will ensure proper stewardship takes place following a gift to maintain the donor’s involvement, interest, and support. The Associate Director leads, mentors and guides a team of staff, and is also involved in the training and oversight of volunteers in areas of cultivation and solicitation activities
Essential Qualifications:
Education:
- A University degree, or an equivalent combination of education with advancement experience is required.
Experience:
- 5+ years of experience with direct fundraising experience and a proven track record of executive advancement responsibility and leadership in annual, major and planned giving programs in a large complex organization, preferably in an educational or medical institution.
- Experience in organizing complex programs and events.
- Experience in a management capacity and directing the work of others.
- Demonstrated volunteer management experience.
- Highly knowledgeable and experienced in both new and traditional channels of revenue generation.
- Demonstrated strong client service orientation and experience fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Skills:
- Proficient with and demonstrated experience working with Microsoft Office suite.
- Experience working with Arbor or a similar database management system.
- Demonstrated strategic conceptualization, analytical and planning skills.
- Knowledge of current trends as they relate to duties and responsibilities of the role.
Other:
- Vision, the ability to think and plan strategically, and a creative, entrepreneurial spirit.
- Demonstrated experience and success managing, motivating, and mentoring volunteers and advancement professionals, bringing out the best in teams and individuals.
- The ability to mentor, coach, motivate and inspire colleagues and volunteers.
- High level of initiative, maturity, tact and diplomacy; excellent judgement and discretion.
- A deep understanding of and sympathy for the mission of an academic and research-intensive university
- Genuine interest and commitment to inclusivity and social justice
- The ability to serve as an articulate, credible representative of the University with diverse constituencies and particularly with the sophisticated individuals who support the institution.
- The ability to understand the research and teaching dimensions of a proposed project, to conceptualize them in an integrated proposal, and to make a compelling case to a donor for philanthropic support.
- An engaging personal style, a sincere interest in people, patience, a willingness to listen, and the capacity to engender trust and to establish lasting relationships.
- Reputation for integrity, openness, decisiveness, and sound judgement.
- Passionate about creating accessible, equitable and inclusive programs and initiatives.
- Promotes values that advance equity, diversity, inclusion, respect, and civility in the workplace.
- A high level of comfort interacting with academic leaders as well as donors and volunteers.
- The ability to navigate and be effective within a complex matrix organization that values collaboration and teamwork as well as individual initiative and creativity.
- Excellent attention to detail and superb organizational skills, including the ability to set principal gift fundraising goals and to establish an internal system for meeting deadlines, tracking, follow-up, monitoring, and reporting of progress.
- Ability to work in a hectic and results-oriented environment with a strong focus on results; ability to meet deadlines and budgets.
- A high energy level, an appropriate degree of sophistication and self-confidence, optimism (and the ability to engender optimism in others) and a sense of humour.
- Exceptional oral and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Cultural sensitivity and capacity to work with international students and donors.
- Valid driver’s license and access to personal vehicle required.
- Valid passport for international travel is required.