Temporary, full-time position (07/14/2025 to 07/14/2028)

Guelph, ON

Are you a strategic and collaborative leader passionate about advancing higher education through philanthropy? The University of Guelph is seeking a Campaign Director to guide the planning and execution of its first major fundraising campaign since 2014.

 In this temporary full-time role, you’ll play a critical leadership role in shaping campaign strategy, coordinating university-wide efforts, managing key milestones, and fostering deep engagement with internal teams and external volunteers. With a strong background in fundraising, excellent communication and project management skills, and experience building trusted relationships, you’ll help elevate the university’s global profile and strengthen its culture of philanthropy. Join a mission-driven team committed to impact, innovation, and inclusive excellence.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate and oversee the execution of key campaign initiatives like managing campaign working groups across campus, executing a feasibility study, planning campaign launch and results reporting, and building and managing a robust campaign volunteer structure, to name a few.
• Serve a leadership role in ensuring effective campaign communication and coordination across colleges and units, forming a cohesive and compelling pan-university campaign.
• Work closely with and serve as a main point of contact with the campaign volunteers and internal campaign working groups, including the University Executive Team (UET) and University Leadership.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term plans and ensure effective delivery of service to high-priority stakeholders, internal and external to the University.

Requirements

• 6-8 years of experience in fundraising, preferably in higher education or academic medicine settings.
• Undergraduate degree. A Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is preferred.
• Proven strategic and operational management at a senior level within large institutions or corporations.
• Deep understanding and commitment to integrated fundraising and alumni engagement programs, with experience in complex university environments.
• Strong collaborative relationships with staff, donors, faculty, volunteers, and academic leadership.
• Ability to develop sincere, productive relationships and build trust with both internal colleagues and external constituencies.
• Required experience with fundraising campaigns; experience in academic environments and direct major gift fundraising is an asset.
• Experience leading and working with volunteers.
• Ability to quickly assimilate information, analyze data, provide advice, guidance, and make sound decisions.
• Proven communication and project management skills in progressive roles.
• Experience in fundraising or donor relations roles, including drafting proposals, gift agreements, and donor reports.
• Outstanding leadership and management skills, with the ability to solve problems and make independent decisions.
• Proven ability to collate and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, draft reports, and provide briefing materials and recommendations to senior leadership.

The university provides flexible work arrangements. This position is required to be fulfilled both remotely and on-campus (Guelph Campus).

The University of Guelph (www.uoguelph.ca) is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive comprehensive institutions, with a record of outstanding scholarship in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical and engineering sciences, agriculture, and veterinary sciences. This is your chance to join us in our endeavor to improve life. 

 

To view a detailed posting for the role of Campaign Director, please go to our website at https://careers.uoguelph.ca/.

 

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.