Senior Development Officer
About us:
The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.
We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.
Opened in 1962, New College has a long-standing commitment to social justice, and to supporting its diverse body of 6000+ undergraduate students to excel intellectually and to engage in the wider community. New College prioritizes personal attention to students, innovative interdisciplinary programs, links with professional faculties, career mentorship, and community outreach initiatives. The College has built a rich learning community for students including academic support, amenities for studying and social interaction, and opportunities for co-curricular and community engagement. The College offers a spirited and challenging environment for students to have the opportunity to broaden their experience, create life plans, and meet others from different fields. New College is a friendly, welcoming and informal community that places a high priority on student support services and encourages diversity. For more information on New College, see http://www.newcollege.utoronto.ca.
Your opportunity:
The Senior Development Officer (SDO) will be part of a team working under the direction of the Associate Director, Advancement, and will be tasked with the responsibility of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors to New College, at the Leadership Annual Giving level ($1,000-$49,999) and the Major Gift level ($50,000plus). The incumbent will develop customized proposals and tailored initiatives designed to increase the interest and involvement of donors. Duties will include: meeting with donors to identify, cultivate and solicit for support and interest in New College; ensuring proper stewardships of major gifts; preparing call reports, proposals, progress reports and prospect correspondence; collaborating with other members of the University’s Advancement community to develop and execute strategies, and realize goals.
Your responsibilities will include:
Assessing needs and contributing to the development and implementation of plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition.
Developing tailored fundraising initiatives that support strategic initiatives.
Identifying, evaluating and recommending the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University.
Developing marketing/communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns and programs.
Cultivating and soliciting current and prospective major gift donors through tailored stewardship programs.
Managing and developing the Leadership Annual Giving portfolio at $1,000 – $49,999 level.
Developing and implementing plans to support donor management and stewardship strategies and/or activities.
Writing briefing notes, solicitation plans and call reports to track donor interaction. Producing complex donor reports.
Essential Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
Minimum five years of experience in a staff fundraising role with a proven track-record of success and demonstrated leadership annual giving experience. Minimum five years of experience managing a mid-level program with a proven track record in retaining and acquiring annual leadership donors.
Demonstrated major gift development experience (gifts of $50,000 and above)and demonstrated achievements in one-on-one donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Experience managing a caseload of active gift prospects and implementing strategies for solicitation of these prospects.
Experience working with senior level volunteers; Proven ability to motivate others, ie. volunteers, team members, donors.
Experience in initiating and building relationships with prospects and interact via telephone, digital platforms, and in-person to secure donations.
Strong ability and experience in having complex financial discussions with donors and their financial representatives.
Advanced skills in MS office. (Excel, Outlook, Word, Powerpoint)
Valid driver’s license required and ability to travel as necessary.
Demonstrated ability in consistently meeting deadlines/deliverables and standards for quality work.
Entrepreneurial approach to problem solving and demonstrated success in exceeding goals and expectations.
Ability to persuasively communicate a compelling case for philanthropic support. Ability to present tangible and intangible concepts and garner the confidence of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
Excellent organizational, analytical, relationship building and planning skills, attention to detail.
Ability to operate and communicate effectively and professionally in a multi-stakeholder environment including diverse student bodies, faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni, high-level donors, etc.
Assets (Nonessential):
Familiarity with University/higher education policies, structures and systems.
To be successful in this role you will be:
Diplomatic
Organized
Persuasive
Problem solver
Resourceful
Team player
This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.
Closing Date: 04/06/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget – Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 15 — $95,627. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $122,290. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Communication/Media/Public Relations
Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To apply please visit: https://afptoronto.org/job/senior-development-officer-9/
Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.
Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.