Senior Development Manager, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics | University of Guelph

Temporary, full-time position (April 8, 2024 – July 25, 2025) – Guelph, ON

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a high-performing team of passionate fundraising professionals at one of Canada’s leading comprehensive research-intensive universities. 

In our work, at the department of Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D), we advance the mission of the University of Guelph by building lifelong relationships with our community: alumni, donors, and friends. Our vision is for the University to be personally relevant in the lives of our community members. Through these relationships, we amplify the impact of philanthropy to create unique solutions for the challenges facing our world. As Senior Development Manager, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, you will be a member of this campus-wide team and, as such, epitomize the department’s shared values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation, and forward focus.

The Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics is committed to developing leaders with a social conscience, an environmental sensibility, and a commitment to their communities. If you are looking to join a supportive team who are redefining leadership and business education to respond to our changing world, we encourage your application to this exciting role. 

Reporting to the Director, Major Gift Advancement, you will be responsible for major gift fundraising (contributions of $25,000 or greater and planned gifts) to support the fundraising priorities of the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. You will also be expected to personally generate a minimum of $1 million in new major gifts and pledges annually, and work to advance priorities with alumni, corporations, grateful clients, and other friends of the University.  

At AA&D, we believe that fundraising is a team sport, and collaboration with colleagues across the board is essential for success. As a result, working in tandem with senior development managers in other colleges is highly encouraged. More specifically, your responsibilities as a Senior Development Manager will include:

• Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and prospects through the fundraising cycle.
• Maintaining a robust pipeline of 60-80 donors/prospects and undertaking 10-15 meetings per month with donors/prospects.
• Preparing briefing materials to support the participation of senior administration in fundraising activity.
• Collaborating with the Director, the Dean, and other internal partners to advance donor relationships as well as to identify University priorities that will resonate with donors, including scholarships, faculty/program support, and capital projects. 
• Creating and presenting materials to advance fundraising asks such as generic cases for support and customized proposals. 
• Negotiating the closure of major and planned gifts, including the creation of gift agreements and other supporting documentation.

QUALIFICATIONS

To fulfill the role of Senior Development Manager, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, you must be an experienced fundraiser and a superb communicator, comfortable building relationships with senior executives, and have a profile that includes:

• An undergraduate degree, with preference given to demonstrated commitment to professional development, a graduate degree, a relevant diploma or an equivalent combination of education/experience. 
• A minimum of five (5) years’ fundraising experience, with a proven track record of success in securing major and planned gifts, or equivalent experience in a related field.
• The ability to think and act quickly and effectively under pressure, exercising tact, diplomacy, discretion and good judgment.
• A proven ability to interact effectively with senior executives in the corporate community.
• Experience in management of large and complex fundraising projects, especially capital campaigns.
• Superior written and interpersonal communications skills, including effective relationship-building and experience in managing senior volunteers. 
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite and donor databases and/or CRM systems.

ASSETS:

• A passion for animal welfare and/or a background in animal, medical or healthcare charities.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation.

The University of Guelph (www.uoguelph.ca) is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive comprehensive institutions, with a record of outstanding scholarship in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical and engineering sciences, agriculture and veterinary sciences. This is your chance to join us in our endeavour to improve life.

To view a detailed posting for the role of Senior Development Manager, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, please go to our website at www.uoguelph.ca/hr/careers. Applications, quoting Hiring #2024-0174, must be sent by e-mail, only to: careers@uoguelph.ca.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.