Are you interested in helping to create a Brighter World?

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 seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

At the heart of McMaster University, you’ll find the Faculty of Social Sciences, a research-focused, student-centered Faculty preparing the next generation of leaders to respond to economic, political and cultural shifts in Canada and abroad. We are leading world-class research exploring critical and relevant topics pertaining to democracy, the impact of a digital society, Indigenous knowledge, mental health and well-being, and Canada’s housing crisis to name a few. Your role will help fuel research that is advancing the well-being of local and global communities. Unique role – Unique opportunity.

University Advancement at McMaster University is a flexible, adaptable and dynamic function with uniquely equipped teams embedded in each Faculty. Within the Faculty of Social Sciences, the development team is growing its profile and pushing the boundaries of how we work with our internal stakeholders and donor community.  As a team member in the Faculty of Social Sciences, you’ll have a front row seat to see how researchers and students are impacting their communities and contributing to a Brighter World. You will help shape the narrative and build the story for each fundraising initiative you take on so that you can successfully engage the donor community. Help us build this vision and differentiate yourself from your peers.

 Job Summary:

As the Senior Development Officer for Social Sciences, you’ll be part of McMaster’s Development team, an award-winning, internationally recognized group with ambitious goals.

Broadly, Development is responsible for strengthening McMaster’s relationships, securing new revenue and developing a pipeline of funders and supporters for the University. This may include gifts, future gifts (e.g. bequests, insurance, etc.), pledges, other revenue and private research grants. The primary means of raising funds involves face-to-face meetings and visits, often involving University leadership and faculty members. Members of the Development team are responsible for driving the identification, cultivation, and development of a customized ask and recognition/stewardship plan for some of McMaster’s most significant funders.

Reporting to the Manager, Development in the Faculty of Science Sciences, the Senior Development Officer will be accountable for the following:

Strategic Planning and Relationship Development 

• Demonstrating strategic thinking, focus, entrepreneurship, and enthusiasm.
• Development and implementation of strategic plans to build and maintain a competitive position for securing gifts and maximize giving opportunities for McMaster.
• Identify, build and capitalize on unique and productive relationships with a focus on bequest funders.
• As a key relationship builder, exceling in developing and maintaining strong relationships with existing and potential funders and supporters.
• Utilizing excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Using sound judgement, tact, and sensitivity to secure funds for a variety of University priorities and to move funders through the donor cycle from discovery through to stewardship.

Operations and Goal Setting 

• Meeting ambitious financial and visit goals, set on an annual basis.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of a diverse and significant funder and prospect portfolio and sustaining a program of donor stewardship activity.  Developing business plans and action plans that are specific, flexible and practical.
• Engaging in the regular evaluation of efficiency and results of plans, seeking input from colleagues and sharing information of relevance to other fund-raising portfolios and activities.
• Conducting prospect research to identify new potential funders.
• Analyzing and evaluating individual and corporate financial information for the purpose of determining net worth and capacity for donating.
• Experience working with databases and in writing proposals is also required.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.

Experience:

• Requires a minimum of 5 years of prior experience.
• Experience in strategy development and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience meeting individual and team financial and activity goals.
• Demonstrated experience building a sustainable portfolio of major gift level (>$25K) and confirmed bequest funders.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and negotiation skills.
• High degree of professionalism, excellent judgement and decision-making abilities, as well as tact and sensitivity.
• Strong organizational skills and integrated approach.
• Strong computer skills and experience with databases (ADVANCE).
• Time-management and multi-tasking abilities.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey – Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Vaccination Policy 

The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors.  In accordance with the University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), effective October 18, 2021 all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person are required to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. This is a term and condition of employment. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated status.

Further information is available at the following link: https://covid19.mcmaster.ca/vaccination-mandate/. More information on the University’s Health and Safety framework is available online at https://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/covid19/.

How to Apply

Visit our website at hr.mcmaster.ca/careers/ and search job opening ID 43902 to submit your application.