Director of Development (Central)

The Director of Development (DOD) is responsible for raising major and principal gift support toward Toronto Metropolitan University’s highest priorities (primarily the new School of Medicine), building enduring relationships with major and principal gift prospects / donors over their lifetime, and maximizing the inherent potential in those relationships.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors as per established Prospect Management protocols. 
• Overseeing the planning and development of individual strategies for these prospects and donors. This includes developing tailored cultivation programs, solicitation strategies, briefing notes, preparation of solicitation packages, stewardship plans, and reporting of the prospect management progression in the database. 
• Negotiating and closing major and principal gifts within defined University policies.
• Working closely with leadership, staff, and faculty members of the relevant Academic Units to ensure the success of their prospect and donor activity.  
• Preparing strategies and proposals to support approved fundraising priorities. 
• Defining and implementing approved course of action with respect to major and principal gifts, and making day to day operational decisions against established fundraising plan.
• Ensuring effective stewardship of donors through appropriate public recognition programs, regular reporting to donors about the program/project they have funded, and the allocation and management of their funds.
• Managing the work of staff in the department as it relates to achieving the objectives established. 
• Providing day-to-day work direction and participating in the performance reviews of subordinate staff. 

We are seeking a Director who demonstrates the following Leadership Competencies:

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Five to seven (5-7) years’ experience of progressively responsible fundraising and development management.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement major gift strategic planning and solicitation strategies; successful track record in raising gifts of $500,000+
• Demonstrated experience and success in fundraising within the post-secondary system or other complex organizational environments, and the ability to quickly develop a deep understanding of the mission of a research-intensive university.
• A proven commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity, with the ability to apply this lens to fundraising leadership, strategy, and tactics.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills; writing winning proposals, and associated development materials and correspondence.
• Donor-centered and goal-oriented approach with a reputation for integrity and transparency.
• Ability to work at the highest strategic levels of the Office of University Advancement to gain and maintain the trust of senior leadership, internal and external stakeholders, and supporters.
• Vision and the ability to think strategically and use a creative and entrepreneurial mindset to meet goals, drive new initiatives, and enhance existing programs.
• High level of initiative, tact and diplomacy, and ability to navigate and be effective within a complex organization that values collaboration in addition to individuality and creativity.
• Superior skills in critical analysis, judgement, decision-making, and building effective relationships.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with donor motivation and recognition strategies, identification, recruitment, management, and training of volunteers.
• Prospect identification skills, knowledge of research methodology and skills in the evaluation, rating, and moves management of prospects.
• Working knowledge of prospect tracking, research, tax laws, basic financial planning, and deferred giving programs.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Salesforce-based databases.
• An understanding of the Peel region will be beneficial.
• A flexible schedule, which allows for frequent after-hours events and meetings.