Establishes the strategic direction, leadership and priority setting for university-wide development activity

• In coordination with the Vice-President, Advancement, the AVP will establish and execute strategies to build a robust pipeline of individual, foundation and corporate donors and prospects, focused primarily on Major ($100,000-$1M ) gift levels to ensure sustainable fundraising growth across the university
• Leads the development of the long-term vision and planning for the Development programs team and participates in coordinated annual planning within the Office of Advancement
• Provides oversight to the development of annual plans across the development programs and Faculty units, including goal-setting projections regarding dollars raised, visits, stewardship activities, and other performance metrics
• Supports other advancement units across campus by training and deploying development officers to support campaigns or special projects as needed, upon review and approval of scope of work
• In collaboration with central, faculty and campus unit-based fundraisers (Library, CEE, Athletics, etc.), develops donor-centred cultivation and solicitation strategies for potential major and principal giving donors
• Leads institution-wide comprehensive and boutique campaign planning in coordination and consultation with the Vice-President, Advancement, working with internal and external stakeholders and volunteers
• Works closely with the Associate Vice-President, Advancement Strategy & Principal Giving to ensure that programs and priorities are properly integrated and strategically aligned
• Ensures strategic alignment and business efficiencies between development unit processes and advancement services
• Provides strategic input to advancement services concerning business issues that affect development unit functionality (e.g., prospect clearance, research processes, datamining services, data-hygiene requirements, records processes, etc.)
• Develops and maintains a good working knowledge of the university’s activities and priority projects

Fundraising

• Maintains a portfolio of actively managed prospects developing strategies and conducting personal visits to qualify, cultivate and steward them from major to principal level donors, executing the strategies to raise significant gifts
• Completes 60-70 calls annually with top individual, corporations/foundation prospects/donors with Development team members, the VP Advancement, other senior leaders and/or volunteers
• Responsible for setting targets for new donor commitments annually for personal and team fundraisers
• Initiate and manage complex donations, bequests including complex multi-vehicle gifts both current and deferred to support ambitious fundraising and campaign objectives
• Initiate and direct the development and review of donor proposals, giving strategies, gift agreements, stewardship plans, and events developed for major gift prospects/donors
• Initiate the development of new markets and opportunities to support priority projects

Responsible for setting the strategy for pan-university Development

• Develops strategies to encourage broad-based support to the university from multiple constituencies, and oversees the management of the development of the overall pan-university giving pipeline in a highly collaborative and consultative environment across the campus
• Provides direction to and oversight of the Director, Development (Major Giving) in the strategic development and implementation of this unit, including the development of performance benchmarks for all pan-university fundraising
• Provides direction to and oversight of the Campaign Director in the management of the overall campaign operations, targets, metrics, goal setting, and creative direction and materials (in conjunction with the Director, Marketing and Communications and University Relations)
• Works in collaboration with Advancement leadership, Campaign leadership, and Principal Giving to ensure fluid pipeline development and consistent strategies
• Works in collaboration with Advancement Services and the Engagement teams to ensure cohesive structures and the fluid transfer of information to maximize cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for all donors

Oversees and manages the activities of the Development programs team and works in close alignment with other units in the Office of Advancement

• As a member of the senior leadership team in the Office of Advancement, works very closely with the Vice President Advancement and collaborates and co-operates with the AVP Advancement Services, the AVP Advancement Strategy, the AVP Engagement, the Campaign Director and the Senior Director, Alumni Relations
• Recruits, develops, and retains staff, providing opportunities for training, growth, and movement through the development career path
• Provides leadership, feedback, direction, coaching and mentoring to fundraising staff
• Maintains and ensures the momentum of the team’s activities and ensures that it operates at a high-performance level. Ensures the effective utilization, deployment and development of human and capital resources

Represents Senior Management and the University

• Liaises externally with professional, community and other organizations and agencies on behalf of the Advancement portfolio
• Supports, communicates, and reinforces the mission, values, philosophy, and culture of the organization

• Completion of a Bachelor degree at minimum. A Master’s degree would be considered desirable
• CFRE designation desirable
• 10-15 years of progressive philanthropy and advancement experience with a proven track record of achievement and success within an academic or academic health-sciences environment is required
• Experience leading a university or equivalent comprehensive fundraising campaign is required
• Experience working closely with a President, Vice-President, Dean, or senior executive leader is required
• Working knowledge of the post-secondary sector and current trends in North American Advancement
• Ability to think creatively, strategic thinking and experience in strategic planning and leading annual planning in a complex organization
• Demonstrated success in leading and executing change
• Extensive people and relationship management skills and demonstrated through past responsibilities
• Exercises excellent diplomacy and judgment while navigating difficult situations
• Ability to listen, compile learnings from, and influence key stakeholders
• Comfortable in international settings and working with a variety of cultures – second language is an asset
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills
• Exceptional presentation and public speaking skills – comfort and ability to adapt speaking style to different sizes and types of audience
• Strong organization skills and proven track record of succeeding in managing complex and competing deadlines in a fast-paced role and environment

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.