At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Primary Purpose
Accountable to the Director of Development, Major Gifts, the Senior/Development Officer will be responsible for the corporate and individual fundraising of gifts at the major giving level for the university. Primary responsibilities, carried out as a member of the Development team will include identification, evaluation, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate, foundation and individual donors for the University of Waterloo, and interdisciplinary priority projects.

Key Accountabilities
Portfolio & Prospect Management
• Develops and maintains a good working knowledge of the University of Waterloo’s activities, priorities and needs in both teaching and research
• Has a thorough working knowledge of the University’s fundraising priorities, projects and progress
• Using this knowledge, and in consultation with the Director of Development, Major Gifts, coordinates fundraising strategies for assigned prospect (corporations, foundations and individuals), including qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects
• Works collaboratively with the Office of Advancement to move prospects through the pipeline
• Has knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts, refers planned giving prospects

Communications & Coordination
• Creates fundraising materials suitable for presentation to prospective contributors by soliciting technical content and working with the Sr. Communications Officer, Office of Advancement, Creative Services, and University Relations as required
• Develops proposals for projects tailored to the specific interests of corporations, foundations, individuals and associations in conjunction with the Office of Advancement fundraising teams
• Maintains/updates the database by ensuring that meeting notes are recorded in a timely manner and significant moves are tracked in the system
• Coordinates special projects and campaigns as assigned
• Provides functional direction to administrative staff involved in these activities, where applicable
• Contributes to a ‘One Advancement’ team model, encourages collaboration within the team and across Advancement
• Coordinates with Alumni Relations as needed to leverage activity for Development purposes

Relationship Management
• Establishes and maintains relationships with the corporate sector (donations officer, senior officers, etc.), including calls on companies, arranging site visits to campus, special events, announcements, information exchanges
• Recruits, trains and manages volunteer teams as assigned
• Supports the work of the Alumni Relations team and the Donor Relations team in coordinating communications and building relationships with students, young alumni and graduates and maintaining relationships with donors

*All employees of the University are expected to follow University and departmental health and safety policy, procedures and work practices at all times. Employees are also responsible for the completion of all health and safety training, as assigned. Employees with staff supervision and/or management responsibilities will ensure that assigned staff abide by the above, and actively identify, assess and correct health and safety hazards, as required.

Required Qualifications
Education
• University degree or equivalent education or experience

Experience
• USG 9: 0-2 years of progressive fundraising experience
• USG 10: 3-5 years of progressive major gift fundraising experience
• USG 11: 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience in securing major gifts and volunteer recruitment and management and experience with the full scope of development activities including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition and stewardship at the major gift level.
Successful track record of developing and implementing strategies for major gift solicitations with demonstrated success in personally securing and closing major gifts

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• Understanding and appreciation of the key role of a university education and the crucial importance of attracting and retaining the very best talent available (students, faculty, staff)
• Understanding of the university environment including the integration of research and teaching
• Knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts
• Proven competence in project management, multi-tasking, planning, analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, oral and writing skills including the expertise to create promotional materials and proposals
• Political acumen and problem-solving skills are required
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently and effectively as part of a team with a broad mandate in a fast-paced, highly computerized and challenging environment
• Knowledge and excellence in working with fundraising software is considered an asset
• Demonstrated relationship building skills, excellent time management and proven ability to meet competing deadlines in an organized manner
• Must have strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Constituent Management Software
• CFRE or fundraising certificate an asset but not required
• Willingness to travel and work extended hours as required (some weekends and evenings)

Nature and Scope
• Contacts: This position represents the Office of Advancement to internal stakeholders (collaborating units, faculty and staff). This is an external facing position which requires significant amounts of networking and social engagement, supported by internal partners. Appropriate deportment, acumen and aplomb is required. Must be comfortable working with a variety of stakeholders including political and community leaders, executives, industry partners and volunteers.
• Level of Responsibility: This position has specialized work with minimal supervision, acts in collaboration with other Advancement staff and may provide guidance to others including but not limited to Office of Research, Co-operative & Experiential Education and University Relations. This position has specialized work and measured outcomes. It functions in a constructive team environment but equally requires the ability to progress initiatives and to work independently with minimal supervision. This is not a supervisory position but recommendations and/or guidance to colleagues is required.
• Decision-Making Authority: Independently makes decisions about prospect strategies, location and event strategies for engagement with guidance from the Director of Development, Major Gifts and works collaboratively with the Advancement team.
• Physical and Sensory Demands: Minimal demands typical of an administrative position within an office environment.
• Working Environment: Availability to travel; some travel within Canada and possible travel to International locations may be requested. Regular working hours, some evening/weekend work required. Minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions. Deadline pressures with demand for thoroughness and accuracy typical of program administration responsibilities.