Associate Vice-President, Advancement

University of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

8d•Onsite

About The Position

University Advancement plays a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between the University and its alumni, donors, and partners. The team is dedicated to advancing the University's mission by securing philanthropic support, engaging with the vibrant alumni community, and building partnerships that drive innovation and excellence. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, they help shape the future of the University, ensuring that it continues to thrive as a leading institution of higher education and research, empowering students, faculty, and researchers to make a lasting impact on the world. The Associate Vice-President (AVP), Advancement reports to the Vice-President of Advancement and provides senior leadership for the University of Ottawa’s fundraising strategy, serving as the delegated authority of the Vice-President, Advancement. The AVP is crucial in shaping and driving transformative philanthropy, securing major and principal gifts, and leading ambitious fundraising campaigns to expand the university’s capacity to deliver on its academic and research mission. As the senior-most fundraising executive within the Advancement portfolio, the AVP ensures that fundraising efforts across faculties and units reflect best practices and institutional priorities, cultivating strategic relationships with distinguished donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders to generate lasting impact for the university community.

Requirements

Degree at the graduate level in business, management or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of achievement and success with developing prospective donors and closing major and principal gifts.
Bilingualism – French and English (spoken and written)
Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising and best practices
Extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans
Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques related to major, principal and planned giving
Proven abilities in building partnerships and/or collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives and officials
Ability to write high-quality fundraising material (i.e. case for support documentation)
Superior interpersonal and communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and demonstrated experience in team management.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and regular business trips

Nice To Haves

Experience within an academic environment is considered an asset
Deep knowledge of the University of Ottawa is considered an asset
Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) is an asset.

Responsibilities

Defines clear priorities and long-term objectives for major and principal gift development.
Designs and implements comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategies that mobilize support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, ensuring alignment with the university’s evolving priorities.
Positions philanthropy as a driver of institutional growth and innovation.
Ensures that fundraising efforts are both visionary and results-driven, galvanizing the team to achieve an ambitious annual target of $15M in support of institutional priorities and transformative ideas.
Plays a critical role in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the University’s comprehensive fundraising activities, ensuring that annual fundraising targets are met.
Works closely with the Vice-President of Advancement to strategically reposition and align the fundraising in response to evolving socioeconomic and political conditions.
Leads by example in advancing the university’s major and principal gift strategy through the personal management of a select portfolio of high-value prospects (typically ranging $1M+).
Oversees all phases of high-level donor’s journeys from qualification and solicitation to proposal development and stewardship, ensuring that each engagement reflects the university’s values and strategic priorities.
Builds and strengthens high-impact relationships with key philanthropic stakeholders, including major and principal donors, corporate partners, and foundation leaders.
Acts as a strategic partner to senior university leadership in identifying and advancing fundraising opportunities that align with institutional priorities.
Through thoughtful engagement and trust-based relationship building, the AVP ensures that philanthropic partnerships are positioned to deliver long-term value and transformative impact for the University of Ottawa.
Provides strategic leadership and mentorship to fundraising professionals across the university, fostering a high-performance culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
Champions best practices in major gift fundraising and empowers teams to pursue bold philanthropic goals aligned with institutional priorities.
Mobilizes senior academic and administrative leaders around a shared philanthropic vision in order to integrate fundraising into institutional planning and decision-making.
Provides targeted counsel, facilitates cross-campus coordination, and promotes shared accountability for fundraising outcomes.
Ensures that faculties and units are equipped to develop compelling cases for support and to engage meaningfully in major and principal gift activity.
Fosters a culture where philanthropy is understood, valued, and actively championed across the university
Serves as a senior representative of the University of Ottawa in philanthropic circles, actively engaging with influential donors, corporate leaders, and foundation executives at the local, national, and international levels.
Builds and sustains strategic relationships that enhance the university’s visibility and credibility among key stakeholders.
Through thoughtful and purposeful engagement, the AVP strengthens the university’s fundraising capacity and opens new avenues for transformational support, resulting in new partnerships and increased pipeline of principal gift prospects.