Director of Development, Principal Gifts

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

2d•CA$9,859 - CA$15,381•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development, Principal Gifts will support principal and transformational gift strategy by identifying prospects, developing clear and collaborative strategies, creating concepts for gift solicitation, executing on gift documentation and the university approval process, and ensuring recognition and stewardship for principal gift level donors. The Director is responsible for contributing to the preparation and monitoring of unit goals, and for managing, evaluating, and coordinating the design and development of complex fundraising opportunities. The role also includes actively supervising, supporting and mentoring junior colleagues. The position requires sensitivity and diplomacy, along with a deep understanding of the relationship-building and strategies involved in securing complex gifts. The successful candidate will bring strong team management, project management and writing skills. A generous team player and natural collaborator, the Director will have demonstrated experience in major gift fundraising strategy. Reporting to the Senior Director of the unit, the Director will work closely with leadership, faculty and colleagues across the university to prepare and support senior university leaders in securing maximum support from philanthropy. At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Requirements

University degree in a relevant discipline
Minimum of eight years of related job experience
Five years of experience in fundraising, alumni engagement, advancement experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Ability to work independently while exercising good judgement at all times
Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills are required
Strategic thinking and skills in conflict resolution
Strong conceptual abilities combined with high attention to detail
Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines
Ability to formulate strategic plans
Effective communication skills, verbal and written
Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills required in liaising with major donors, corporate executives and senior university administration
Proven ability to work with the University’s senior-most donors to advance the University’s mission
Tact, diplomacy, discretion and sound judgment required
The incumbent should have the ability to plan, coordinate and supervise the work of others, in order to execute a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines
Computer experience required; MS Windows environment, Microsoft Office preferred

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree and/or an undergraduate degree in commerce, marketing or economics is preferred
Proven experience in Major-Gift fundraising and skilled in strategy development
Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is preferred
3 years’ experience meeting or exceeding annual metrics at the Associate Director level, or equivalent
Experience working with a centralized fundraising system an asset

Responsibilities

Identifying prospects
Developing clear and collaborative strategies
Creating concepts for gift solicitation
Executing on gift documentation and the university approval process
Ensuring recognition and stewardship for principal gift level donors
Contributing to the preparation and monitoring of unit goals
Managing, evaluating, and coordinating the design and development of complex fundraising opportunities
Actively supervising, supporting and mentoring junior colleagues
Works closely with the Senior Director/Assistant Dean or Executive Director and senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support for the University
Assists with the preparation and monitoring of unit goals, manages and evaluates design, development, and coordination of projects
May oversee daily operations of the program or unit including: development and implementation of strategies for closing major gift solicitations; coordinating staffing for major gift solicitations
Oversees administrative functions of the program or unit including: development and implementation of individual plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors; oversees implementation of appropriate donor recognition; ensuring acknowledgement and stewardship programs are in place
Develops and manages a personal portfolio of major gift prospects (75-150) making face-to-face visits (125-200 annually) for the purposes of discovery, cultivation and solicitation (20-25 annually) for prospects at the major gift level (defined as $50,000 and up). Or annual targets to be set by work plan goals and objectives as approved by Executive Director
Develops proposals and works with donors to generate gifts for priority projects
Manages the donor pipeline, ensuring that appropriate strategies are in place and acted on
Involved in managing and motivating staff; may also be responsible for: planning and approving professional development for staff, hiring, training and terminating staff, conducting performance reviews to ensure annual benchmarks and performance goals are achieved
Mentors and develops fundraising staff, including working with them to develop strategy for donor cultivation and solicitation, “making the ask”
Generates donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence
Performs other related duties as required