THE OPPORTUNITY

Wilfrid Laurier University is building its fundraising team, and is also seeking an Associate Director, Development based at the future Milton campus.  

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President Development, the Associate Director, Development oversees, develops and implements fundraising and donor relations strategies to secure gifts in support of the priorities and values established through consultation with relevant stakeholders at the University.

In addition to personally managing and advancing an assigned list of 100 major gift and principal giving donors and prospects; s/he strategically approaches to secure gifts and pledges from individuals (alumni and friends) corporations, and foundations.; develops and manages timelines for various fundraising activities to ensure strategic plans and critical fundraising processes are carried out in a timely manner; works with senior administrators, faculty and volunteers; and monitors and evaluates fundraising activities to ensure that the fundraising goals are being achieved.

This position is comprehensive and based at the Waterloo Campus.  The incumbent provides leadership in a multi-campus environment, requiring regular interaction, communication and collaboration with staff and stakeholders at the Waterloo Campus, Brantford Campus and external partners.

As a key member of the Development team at Laurier, the Associate Director, Development participates in faculty/department-wide planning and initiatives which enhance fundraising.

ABOUT WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading Canadian university that excels at inspiring lives of leadership and purpose. Its holistic approach to learning integrates innovative programming with hands-on experience outside the classroom. Students gain both the knowledge and skills needed to succeed and the inspiration to make their mark.

From day one, students feel welcomed and find their place in the many faculties, clubs, teams, and associations Laurier has to offer. Students build supportive and collaborative relationships with faculty and staff, as well as lasting connections to the communities in which they live, learn and work. Life-changing international exchanges help students establish their place in the global community, and thousands of engaged alumni carry the Laurier legacy throughout the world.

Through its community of researchers, leaders and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its academic excellence and global impact. In acknowledgement of its exemplary workplace policies and programs, and its commitment to sustainability and lifelong learning, Laurier was named one of the Waterloo Area’s Top Employers in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Laurier specializes in arts and social sciences, business and economics, music, science, social work, education, and theology. The university has 20,000 students, campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, locations in Kitchener and Toronto, and a research office in Yellowknife. Laurier was established as the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary of Canada in 1911 and remains the home of the federated Martin Luther University College (formerly Waterloo Lutheran Seminary).

Laurier is committed to partnerships and collaborations aligned with our academic priorities. Laurier’s research community consists of more than 500 researchers in eight disciplinary faculties forming a highly interactive and interdisciplinary academic community. The university supports more than 20 research centres and institutes that stimulate innovation, attract research funding, and enhance the experience of faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars.

Laurier’s strategic themes of Thriving Community and Future Readiness are outlined in the Laurier Strategy: 2019-2024 – Today. Tomorrow. Together.

Land Acknowledgement

Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Brantford are on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnawbe and Haudenosaunee peoples.

Wilfrid Laurier University and its campuses are located on the Haldimand tract, traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe (Anish-nah-bay) and Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-no-show-nee) peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources and not to engage in conflict. From the Haldimand Treaty of Oct. 25, 1784, this territory is described as: “six miles deep from each side of the river (Grand River) beginning at Lake Erie and extending in the proportion to the Head of said river, which them and their posterity are to enjoy forever.” The treaty was signed by the British with their allies, the Six Nations, after the American Revolution. Despite being the largest reserve demographically in Canada, those nations now reside on less than five per cent of this original territory after losing much of the territory to settlement of newcomers.

Today, this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis and Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. Acknowledging them reminds us of our important connection to this land where we live, learn and work. We recognize, honour and respect these nations as the traditional stewards of the lands and water on which Laurier is now present.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

About Us:

• Discover Laurier
• Laurier Fact Sheet
• Quick Facts about Laurier

Milton Campus:

• Laurier’s vision for the Milton Campus

Strategic Roadmaps:

• Laurier Strategy 2019 – 2024
• Action Plan for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity
• Strategic Mandate Agreement
• Strategic Academic Plan
• Strategic Research Plan

Leadership:

• University Board of Governors
• University Senate
• University Senior Leadership
• WLU Alumni Association – Board of Directors
• Wilfrid Laurier University Student Alumni Association

Advancement and External Relations:

• Giving to Laurier

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gift Fundraising and Prospect Management

• Manages an assigned list of 100 major gift and principal giving donors and prospects representing individuals, foundations, corporations and associations for the purpose of securing financial support.
• Develops and implements strategies for identification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospects to achieve financial targets and staff activity metrics.
• Coordinates prospect/donor calls, makes visits and ensures all necessary follow-up including correspondence to donors, contact reports, updates to Banner, and drafting of terms and conditions.
• Develops, submits and follows up on funding proposals to prospective donors.
• Develops and implements, in concert with the Donor Relations team, stewardship strategy for individual donors, including gift announcements, donor cultivation/recognition events, and reports to donors on progress and outcomes of fundraising projects they have supported with a view to strengthening those relationships.

Specific Fundraising, Planning, Strategy Development & Reporting

• Collaborates with Faculty and Staff to develop new fundraising priorities that align with the priorities of the university.
• Maintains a good working knowledge of the activities, priorities and needs in teaching, research
• Recommends specific actions to increase the effectiveness of development activities including own performance.
• Engages and assists senior leaders and individual faculty members and staff in fundraising and donor relations activities.
• Works collaboratively with PMR, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving teams to ensure prospect identification and relationship building occurs.

External Communications

• Collaborates with the Communications team and other Advancement staff to prepare and coordinate all communication pertaining to fundraising and donor relations.
• Works in collaboration with the gift compliance team on solicitations and gift agreements.

Volunteer Management, Faculty Liaison and Administration

• Identifies, recruits and manages volunteers to assist in fundraising activities as appropriate.
• Follows all university policies and procedures, with particular attention to those that pertain to fundraising.
• In consultation with other colleagues, ensures the effective and efficient use of centralized resources and information.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• A strong commitment to post-secondary education and continuous learning, and the importance of this in local communities.
• Proven experience in prospect development, management and stewardship.
• 7 to 10 years’ experience in major gift fundraising and donor relations function.
• Exposure to capital campaigns and fundraising for campus development is preferred but not essential. This is a great opportunity to gain significant campaign experience.
• Strong managerial/operational skills.
• Experience collaborating with, supporting, and motivating a variety of stakeholders, particularly senior volunteer leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with subject matter experts (such as Deans and Chairs), as well as with senior administrative leadership, volunteers and colleagues.
• High level of personal organization and accountability, coupled with strong planning and project management skills.
• Sound analytical and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional relationship building skills, including sound judgement and diplomacy.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigeneity demonstrated through relationship building and experience incorporating diverse perspectives in strategic decision-making processes.
• Collaboration, teamwork, and demonstrated experience contributing to collective goals and success; strong work ethic; demonstrated self-awareness; willingness to consider different perspectives.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in the use of database management tools, contact management software and office management software.
• University degree preferred; CFRE preferred.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Wilfrid Laurier University. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Tara George or Mia Gardiner, by email at WLUdevelopment@kcitalent.com.

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Interested candidates should send resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by August 8, 2022.

Please note that the hiring salary range for this position is $77,188 – $95,000.

To view the full Position Brief, visit www.kcitalent.com

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however, if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/