Job Board
Ivey Business School

Senior Development Officer


Posted On: February 6, 2025
Closing On: February 28, 2025

Location: Hybrid (Toronto)
Effective: April 1, 2025
Employment Type: fulltime
Level: intermediate
Salary Range: Hiring Range: $74,800 - $93,551


Position: Senior Development Officer

Location: Toronto/Hybrid

Position Type: Full-time, 3-year renewable contract.

Hiring Range: $74,800 – $93,551

Application Deadline: Monday, February 17th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST

About Ivey Business School:

Ivey Business School acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where Western University and Ivey Business School are located. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of the community.

Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University (www.uwo.ca) is Canada’s leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey’s faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today’s leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

The Advancement department plays a pivotal role in nurturing enduring relationships which foster meaningful engagement, financial support, advocacy and leadership among alumni and other stakeholders globally. The development team, within the Advancement department, raises philanthropic and sponsorship support for Ivey, generally raising over $20 million annually.

Position Overview:

The Senior Development Officer is responsible for increasing philanthropic revenue for the Ivey Business School by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors to support the school’s funding priorities. The Senior Development Officer will help grow overall fundraising through teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and major gift solicitations. This position will hold a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift donors and prospective donors from which this individual will cultivate and solicit support for the Ivey Business School with an annual fundraising goal of $1.2 million. Annual targets for this role include completing 25 solicitations, securing a minimum of 12 commitments, and conducting 175 visits per year (inclusive of qualification/discovery and stewardship visits).

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Major Gift Portfolio Management
  • Manage and develop a portfolio of major gift prospects, providing strategic and tactical direction to define and achieve projected gift targets. Assume responsibility for moving the donor successfully through the donor cycle, both independently and/or in collaboration with the Dean, Associate Deans, senior faculty, and volunteers.
  • Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of the faculty, including Centre’s and Institutes and Ivey’s activities, priorities and needs in teaching, research, and outreach.
  • Establish strong and sustainable relationships with alumni, key stakeholders, and members of the Ivey community.
  • Conduct research and analysis to evaluate the giving potential, interests, and philanthropic inclination of major gift prospects. Develop carefully crafted, personalized engagement strategies to inspire donor involvement and investment in the school.
  • Prepare written materials including tailored proposals, correspondence, briefing notes, progress reports, and planning documents as appropriate.
  • Partner with the Associate Director, Stewardship and Stewardship Officer to develop donor stewardship plans and engage in stewardship activities as appropriate.
  • Collaborate on joint fundraising opportunities with Western University colleagues, as appropriate.
  1. Faculty Engagement
  • Develop a deep understanding and fluency of research priorities by proactively meeting with faculty members, attending events, and participating in faculty presentations to identify key areas of relevance for potential donors.
  • Partner with faculty leadership in Centre’s and Institutes to engage donors, solicit support, and advance key fundraising initiatives.
  • Contribute to the development of donor giving strategies and marketing materials, helping to shape procedures, and initiatives that drive and sustain donor support for Ivey.
  • Provide guidance and support to key university administrative leaders and volunteers in cultivating and soliciting gifts, ensuring their effective involvement in the fundraising process.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

  • A University degree in business, communications, arts or related field
  • Three to five years of experience in fundraising work or related experience in sales, marketing, business development or customer relations.

Skills & Abilities

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire confidence and trust in alumni, friends, corporate and foundation stakeholders.
  • Superior listening skills and the ability to navigate the concerns and interests of potential stakeholders and translate them into compelling opportunities for investment in the school’s development priorities.
  • Ability to organize and manage a diverse range of assignments and projects with efficiency, yet thorough attention to detail and execution.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and writing skills, including experience creating fundraising collateral and proposals.
  • Resourceful and independent, with a strong ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment within a complex organizational structure.
  • Appreciation and understanding of the mission, purpose and values of a comprehensive university, particularly a business school and its ability to meet the educational and research needs of a sophisticated global business community.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and be self-motivated in a high pressure, fast paced and demanding work environment is required.
  • Political acumen and problem-solving skills are required.
  • A willingness to travel and work extended hours as required (some evenings and the occasional weekend).

What We Offer:

  • Flexible or hybrid work plans for many roles
  • A collaborative and engaging work culture
  • Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
  • Market competitive compensation with annual increases available
  • Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, Health Care Spending Account, short- and long-term disability programs, no waiting period required.
  • Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources.
  • Life and AD&D insurance for you and your family.
  • Out-of-country travel insurance.
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program.
  • Pregnancy and Parental top-up leave program.
  • A generous group retirement savings plan with 7.5% employer contributions.
  • Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days.
  • Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure.
  • Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events.
  • Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey’s EDI homepage for more information on Ivey’s commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey’s progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey’s EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodation
Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us at careers@ivey.ca to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and/or throughout the recruitment process.

Application:

If you’re excited about joining Canada’s leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

*Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.