Job Board
UBC Okanagan

Associate Director, Development


Posted On: February 5, 2024
Closing On: February 23, 2024

Location: Kelowna; or remote in BC
Employment Type: fulltime
Level: intermediate
Salary Range: $97,000 - $150,000


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Join a bold, world-leading, and highly accomplished development and alumni engagement team at UBC, and help to support the growing Okanagan campus.

Based in Kelowna, UBC Okanagan is a world-class university located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in the Southern interior region of BC.  This is an unprecedented and unique campus model unlike any other Canadian university, as higher education institutions of UBC’s stature are typically only located in large urban centres.

UBC Okanagan is a comprehensive, research-intensive learning community embracing bold new ways of thinking that attract exceptional students and faculty.  More than 12,000 students from throughout the Okanagan region, across Canada, and 109 other countries are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in nine faculties and schools here.

The UBC Okanagan Development & Alumni Engagement (DAE) team engages donors in the life of the University and raises major gifts in support of Okanagan campus priorities.  It now has a senior front line fundraising role available and is looking for a talented and ambitious Associate Director, Development.

This is an exciting time to join UBC Okanagan:  FORWARD, UBC’s most exciting fundraising and alumni engagement campaign ever, is underway.  FORWARD will engage donors in opportunities to advance healthy lives, create solutions for the planet, and shape thriving societies.

Remarkably, UBC Okanagan has increased its year-over-year fundraising by 60% over five years and achieves $10 million and engages over 5,000 alumni on an annual basis. FORWARD for UBC  is expected to support this success by growing the program to a sustainable, new level of $15 million per year with total funds raised for the campaign projected at $130 million.

In the recently completed fiscal year, the Okanagan DAE team raised over $12 million (well over its $9 million goal) and is achieving its FORWARD campaign goal, having raised $71 million.

The AD will have the chance to:

  • Help the Okanagan’s student, research, and academic life in tangible and rewarding ways;
  • Leverage UBC’s overall brand and reputation, and its tremendous impact in the region, allowing donors to have an outsized impact for their support;
  • Make a mark in one of Canada’s largest-ever post-secondary advancement campaigns, in a highly professionalized and dedicated advancement team;
  • Be an anchor staff member and take on a larger leadership role as the Okanagan DAE team expands and grows in future years.

Location & level:

The DAE team provides flexibility for staff to work on the campus and at home. While there is strong preference for candidates who intend to live in the Okanagan, remote work arrangements within BC may be considered but with the requirement for regular travel to Kelowna.

UBC Okanagan also has flexibility to bring on a more senior and experienced candidate at the Senior Associate Director level, with commensurate higher fundraising expectations and compensation.

To receive the full candidate package, please be in touch with UBC Okanagan’s search partner, Christoph Clodius, at christoph@thediscoverygroup.ca or see https://thediscoverygroup.ca/portfolio/ubc-okanagan/

The ideal candidate will have strong experience working in major gift programs, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to plan and execute a variety of complex projects with a collaborative approach and outstanding written and oral communication skills.Additionally:

  • Significant fundraising experience, with a record of progressive accomplishment and demonstrated ability in developing, implementing, and managing a donor pipeline.
  • A proven track record of major gift success in a sophisticated and complex environment, ideally in post-secondary education.
  • A highly collaborative nature, and the ability to lead, direct, and manage up and across.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to translate complex information for various audiences, and to seek out needed information.
  • Ambition and drive, a positive attitude, and a professional mindset.
  • Curiosity, initiative and, enthusiasm for UBC Okanagan’s work and the ability to find solutions where they may not be immediately apparent.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging trends in philanthropy.
  • Demonstrated high level of political acumen and perception; acts with integrity, discretion, and tact.
  • Skilled decision-making, including the ability to make decisions with the appropriate level of consultation and transparency expected in an academic institution.
  • Persistence and assertiveness to keep forward momentum and progress; proactive, and a strong inclination towards action.
  • Ability to travel both for local donor and alumnae meetings, as well as nationally and internationally as needed.