Associate Director, Development

Wilfrid Laurier University•Waterloo, ON

2d•CA$85,357 - CA$106,696•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Development, Lazaridis School, 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 fund raising 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.

Requirements

Proven experience in prospect development, management and stewardship
5 to 7 years’ experience in a post-secondary major gift fundraising and donor relations function.
Strong managerial/operational skills;
Demonstrated leadership and team building skills including experience in goal setting, motivating, leading, supervising, evaluating and developing a capable team of professionals;
Experience collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, particularly senior volunteer leadership;
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Deans, senior leadership, volunteers and colleagues;
Strong planning and project management skills;
Sound analytical and decision-making skills;
Relationship building skills, good judgement and diplomacy;
Proficiency in the use of data base management tools, contact management software and office management software;
Collaboration and teamwork; strong work ethic; ego in check.
Strong oral, written, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

University degree preferred
CFRE preferred
A strong commitment to post-secondary education and continuous learning;
Capital Campaign experience preferred

Responsibilities

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.
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;
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
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;